Revelation 5:1-14
1 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.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours,a which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
In this chapter we have John's vision of the heavenly arrangement for earthly administration. The program lies in the hand of the One who sits on the throne. It is written, but sealed, and none can know it. This fact produced a great sorrow in John, so that he wept much, seeing that none was able to take the book and unloose the seals in order that the heavenly program might be carried out on the earthly level.
But now appeared the Lamb, whose advent was heralded by the most wonderful music it is possible to imagine. In the great movement the living ones and the elders and countless thousands of angels joined with the whole creation of God. As in the vision of the heavenly order in the previous chapter the fact of the Throne was the supreme revelation, here is revealed the equally glorious fact that the administration of the will of God in earthly affairs is committed to Christ.
If indeed the earlier vision of the heavenly order prevents panic, this vision inspires the heart with thrills of joy, and, perforce, causes it to express itself in ceaseless song. To see the scroll on which is written the story of the divine purpose and program in the pierced hand is to prepare to sing the song of assurance amid all the strange and otherwise perplexing events which are to follow. Holiness is thus established on the central throne, and acts through Him who is forever the Exponent of the Infinite Love. This leaves no room for doubt that whatever happens will be in accord with strictest justice and tenderest compassion. Happy is the man who in the midst of all the problems and perplexities of the present age remains forever conscious of the established heavenly order and of the method of earthly administration.