Who is worthy to open the scroll?

When the apostle John was given a glimpse into the throne room of heaven, what he saw filled him with awe, wonder, and deep emotion. In Revelation 5, we move from the heavenly worship scene of chapter 4 to a moment that feels like the very center of all redemptive history. The apostle is caught up in a vision where the eternal plan of God is held in His hand, written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. The scene is mysterious but meaningful, full of anticipation and tension. It reveals who alone is worthy to bring history to its rightful fulfillment.

The Scroll in the Father’s Hand

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.” (Revelation 5:1)

In ancient times, important decrees or legal documents were written on scrolls and sealed to prevent unauthorized access. This particular scroll isn’t an ordinary one. It’s in the right hand of God, the place of authority and power. Many scholars believe this scroll represents the full plan of God for judgment and redemption.  It's the title deed of creation, containing His sovereign will for how history will reach its conclusion.

It’s significant that the scroll is “written within and on the back.” That implies completeness. Nothing needs to be added. God’s plan isn’t uncertain or partial. It’s full, perfect, and finished. Yet it’s also sealed with seven seals, meaning it’s completely secure and inaccessible to anyone except the one with rightful authority to open it.

Throughout Scripture, sealed documents often represent hidden or future purposes of God. In Daniel 12:4, the prophet was told, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end.” The sealing represented divine timing.  God’s truth would be revealed when the moment was right. What was once sealed in Daniel is now about to be opened in Revelation, but only by the one who is truly worthy.

The Search for the Worthy One

“And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.” (Revelation 5:2–3)

Imagine the silence that filled heaven at that question. The mighty angel’s voice echoes across the cosmos, calling for someone with enough authority, righteousness, and power to carry out God’s plan. Yet no one responds. Not the angels. Not the patriarchs. Not the prophets or apostles. Not even the believers who have gone before.

John’s reaction is emotional: “And I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.” (Revelation 5:4)

Why does John weep? Because if no one is worthy, then God’s redemptive plan remains sealed. Evil goes unjudged. Creation remains under the curse. The promises of restoration go unfulfilled. History would be locked in hopelessness.

John’s tears reflect something we all feel at times. We look at the brokenness of our world and cry out, “Is there any hope? Will things ever be made right?” Like John, we weep when it seems no one can fix what’s been ruined. But just as in this vision, there’s a moment when the weeping turns to worship because the focus shifts to the One who is worthy.

The Lion Who Is a Lamb

“And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’” (Revelation 5:5)

What a powerful turning point. The elder tells John to stop weeping because victory has already been secured. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered. This title reaches all the way back to Genesis 49:9–10, where Jacob prophesied over his son Judah, saying, “Judah is a lion’s cub… The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet.” From Judah’s line would come a ruler who reigns forever.

The “Root of David” reminds us of Isaiah 11:1, where the prophet foretold, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” Even when David’s royal line seemed cut down, God promised that life would spring up again. This Root of David would establish righteousness and peace.

These titles describe the Messiah as the powerful King who conquers. But what John sees next is shocking.

“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain.” (Revelation 5:6)

The elder announced a Lion, but John sees a Lamb. Power appears as humility. Victory comes through sacrifice. The Lamb bears the marks of slaughter, yet He stands alive. This is the mystery of the gospel on full display. Jesus conquers not by force, but by offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin.

The Lamb has “seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” In Scripture, horns represent power, and seven represents perfection. The Lamb has complete power and perfect vision through the Spirit. This isn’t a weak, passive Lamb. This is the risen Christ, full of divine authority.

The Worthy Redeemer

“And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.” (Revelation 5:7)

This moment is one of the most breathtaking in the Bible. The Lamb approaches the throne and takes the scroll from the Father’s hand. The right to open the scroll and execute God’s purposes belongs to Him alone. No angel dared to approach. No prophet was invited forward. Only Jesus could take what was in the Father’s hand because only He fulfilled the Father’s will perfectly.

This act reminds us of Daniel 7:13–14, where Daniel saw “one like a son of man” who came to the Ancient of Days and was given “dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.” That vision finds its fulfillment here. Jesus, the Son of Man, receives authority over all creation because of His redemptive work.

The Worship of Heaven

“And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” (Revelation 5:8)

The moment the Lamb takes the scroll, all of heaven erupts in worship. The living creatures, representing all creation, and the elders, representing the redeemed people of God, fall before Him. They hold harps, instruments of praise, and bowls of incense, symbolizing the prayers of believers. That detail is deeply comforting. Our prayers are not lost in the air. They’re gathered in heaven as a sweet aroma before the Lamb.

Every time you pray for justice, for healing, for peace, or for Christ’s return, your voice joins this heavenly chorus. Your prayers are part of God’s unfolding plan.

Then the worshipers begin to sing a new song:

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9–10)

This new song celebrates redemption. It proclaims the gospel story in the language of worship. The Lamb is worthy not just because of who He is, but because of what He’s done. He was slain. He shed His blood. He ransomed people from every part of the world.

This is the heart of the gospel. The Lamb who was slain has purchased sinners from every background and made them part of one kingdom. What was lost in Eden has been restored through His sacrifice. The curse that fell on humanity in Genesis 3 finds its answer in the cross.

Notice the universal reach of redemption: every tribe, language, people, and nation. God’s plan has always been global. From the promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 (“in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed”) to the vision of Revelation 7:9 (“a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation”), God’s heart has been for the nations. The Lamb’s blood breaks barriers and unites His people across every divide.

A Kingdom and Priests

The song continues by declaring that the redeemed have been made “a kingdom and priests to our God.” This echoes Exodus 19:6, where God told Israel, “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Through Christ, that calling is fulfilled. We who belong to Him are brought into a royal and priestly identity.

As priests, we draw near to God in worship and intercession. As part of His kingdom, we live under His reign and reflect His character in the world. This means your everyday faithfulness matters. When you show grace to a neighbor, when you pray for your coworkers, when you serve in your church, you’re living out your priestly calling. You represent the Lamb to a watching world.

The promise ends with hope: “They shall reign on the earth.” The redeemed will share in Christ’s reign when He restores creation. The story of redemption isn’t just about souls going to heaven. It’s about heaven coming to earth, as Jesus makes all things new.

Applying the Vision

This passage isn’t only about the future. It has deep implications for our lives right now.

First, it teaches us where true worth is found. John wept when no one was found worthy. We often chase worth in accomplishments, reputation, or possessions. But worth isn’t something we achieve; it’s something Christ gives. Only the Lamb is worthy, and our worth is secure in Him.

Second, it calls us to worship. When we see who Jesus is and what He’s done, the only fitting response is adoration. Worship isn’t limited to music or Sunday gatherings. It’s a posture of the heart that says, “Jesus, You’re worthy of everything.”

Third, it strengthens our hope. When the world feels chaotic, remember that the scroll is in God’s hand and that Jesus is the one who holds the right to open it. History isn’t spiraling out of control. Every seal, every event, every moment is moving toward the day when the Lamb’s redemption is fully revealed.

Fourth, it reminds us of our mission. The Lamb ransomed people from every tribe and language. That means the church’s calling is to carry the good news to every corner of the world. If God’s heart beats for the nations, so should ours.

Finally, it comforts us in suffering. The Lamb was slain, but He stands. That’s the pattern for every believer. We may bear scars, but because of Christ, we stand in victory. The One who conquered through the cross walks with us in every trial, turning our pain into purpose.

Seeing Jesus in the Center

When John looked into heaven, he saw that the center of all reality is not chaos, not chance, but a throne, and at the center of that throne stands a Lamb. Everything in creation revolves around Him.

The Lamb who was slain now reigns. The One who was rejected is exalted. The One who took your place now holds the scroll of God’s purposes in His hands.

So when you feel the weight of uncertainty, remember this vision. The One who redeemed you also rules history. The tears you shed, like John’s, will one day be replaced with joy because the Lamb has overcome.

© John Stange, 2025