John sees a book, or scroll, in the right hand of the one on the throne, written inside and outside and sealed with seven seals. A mighty angel proclaims, Who is worthy to open the book? No one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth can open it. John weeps much because no one is found worthy.

An elder comforts him: Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome. John turns to look for a lion, but he sees a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain. The Lion who wins is the Lamb who gave his life. The Lamb has seven horns and seven eyes, pictures of full power and full sight.

When the Lamb takes the book, heaven bursts into worship. The elders hold harps and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song. You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood. Then many angels join in, thousands of thousands. Finally every creature in heaven, on earth, and in the sea praises God and the Lamb forever.

Chapter 5 continues the throne room scene. In the right hand of the one on the throne is a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals. The scroll seems to hold God’s plan for history. A mighty angel asks with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals? No one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth is able. John weeps, because no one is found worthy to open it.

One of the elders tells him, Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals. John hears about a Lion, but when he looks he sees a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain. Christians have long seen this as the heart of the gospel: Jesus conquers through his sacrifice. The Lamb is standing, alive, and he takes the book from the right hand of the one on the throne.

Worship spreads outward like ripples. First the four living creatures and twenty-four elders fall down with harps and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song: You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, and made us kings and priests to our God. Then countless angels say, Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing! At last every created thing joins in, and the elders fall down and worship.