Revelation 5:1

Translations

Modern

Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.

Traditional

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Literal

And I saw on the right hand of the One sitting upon the throne a scroll, written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.

Latin

Et vidi in dextera sedentis supra thronum, librum scriptum intus et foris, signatum sigillis septem.

Original

Greek

English

Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.

Notes

Revelation 5:1

The scroll, like a dramatic script, describes God's plan for the world (Psalm 139:16).
The right hand represents God's gracious authority and power (see Revelation 1:17, 20).
The writing on both sides of the scroll shows that God's plans for history are full and complete.
sealed with seven seals: God has placed his purposes for history in something that cannot be opened by human effort (Isaiah 29:11–12; Daniel 8:26). His purposes will be fulfilled only when the seals are broken (see Revelation 5:4).

Revelation 5:1–14

John introduces the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who is the main figure in Revelation and God's chosen one to fulfill his plans.

Revelation 4:1–5:14

This section introduces upcoming visions and judgments. John presents God in his heavenly court, which is the setting for the drama of Revelation (Revelation 4:1–11). The Lamb also plays a central role (Revelation 5:1–14). John contrasts God's majesty with the supposed majesty of Caesar. God's power and splendor surpass any earthly ruler's ceremonial court.

Theme notes and profiles

The Theater and Revelation Visions

Related verses

Ezekiel 2:9–10
Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and in it was a scroll,
Isaiah 29:11
And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.”
Revelation 5:7
And He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne.
Daniel 12:4–9
But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”
Revelation 6:1
Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!”
Revelation 5:13
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!”
Revelation 10:2
He held in his hand a small scroll, which lay open. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.
Revelation 10:8–11
Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the small scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land.”
Revelation 4:3
The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne.
Isaiah 8:16
Bind up the testimony and seal the law among my disciples.
Daniel 8:26
The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been spoken is true. Now you must seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”
Isaiah 34:16
Search and read the scroll of the LORD: Not one of these will go missing, not one will lack her mate, because He has ordered it by His mouth, and He will gather them by His Spirit.

Glossary

Book of Revelation King Praise Writing

Topics

Books: Often Sealed Seal of Secrecy Seals: Secrecy Seven: Miscellany of Sevens: Seven Seals Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Book with Seven Seals

Revelation 5:1

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