The Lion, The Lamb, and The Scroll

March 8, 2026

Revelation 5:1

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

The question of Revelation 5 is not ‘What is the scroll?’ but ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll?’

Revelation 5:2

Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”

Revelation 5:3-4

And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.

Without a Redeemer, history has no righteous conclusion.

Revelation 5:5

But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

Jeremiah 23:5-6

Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Without writing a single word Himself, Jesus inspired more pens, more print, and more pulpits than the sum of everyone else.

Revelation 5:6

And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

The wounds that purchased creation now authorize its reclaiming.

Revelation 5:7

Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

Those who have not chosen the Lamb as their escape from judgment will not escape the Lamb’s judgment.

Revelation 5:8

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Additional Scriptures Referenced: Ezekiel 2:9-10; Jeremiah 32; Genesis 49:9-10; Isaiah 31:4; Hosea 11:10; Isaiah 11:1, 10; Revelation 22:16; Hebrews 9:26; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Colossians 2:15; John 16:33; Romans 5:17; 1 John 5:4-5; Genesis 22:7; John 1:29; Revelation 5:12; John 5:22;

Discussion Questions

1. In Revelation 5:1, John sees a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. The scroll is written on both sides and sealed with seven seals. What might this communicate about the completeness and finality of God’s plan for history?


2. When the strong angel asks, “Who is worthy to open the scroll?” no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth can answer (vv.2–3). What does this reveal about humanity’s inability to save or redeem itself?


3. In verse 5, Jesus is announced as the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David. How do these titles connect Jesus to the Old Testament promises about the Messiah?


4. When John looks, he does not see a Lion but a Lamb that appears slain (v.6). What does this reveal about how Jesus actually “prevailed”?


5. If only the Lamb is worthy to open the scroll and bring history to its rightful conclusion, what does this teach us about the authority and centrality of Jesus in God’s plan?


6. Practically speaking, what does it look like in our daily lives to acknowledge Christ as the only One worthy — not just in worship, but in our decisions, priorities, and trust in uncertain times?