[5:1] 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. [2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" [3] And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, [4] and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. [5] 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." Rev. 5:1-5 (ESV)
“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.”
John weeps for revelation. He does not know what is in the scroll, but he knows it must be important. It contained the word of God, and therefore had to be important. But as of yet it was being kept from him. And no one is worthy to break the seals and open it.
But then one of the elders assures John that Jesus can open it. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David.
Obviously this is figurative language. Lions are symbols of courage, and power. Great men are called Lions or compared with Lions for the valor. One thinks of Richard “The Lion Heart,” or Gustavus Adolphus, “The Lion of Midnight” who saved Lutheranism from being overrun by Papist armies in the 30 years war. Here it is Jesus, the hero who conquered death, a descendant of David according to the flesh, and born of the Tribe of Judah who is being addressed by these titles.
As He who conquered death, Jesus is able to take the scroll and open it. He has conquered, nothing will be held from him. He will break the seven seals.
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