Revelation 5:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 5:6-14

Here, I. The apostle beholds this book taken into the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ, in order to its being unsealed and opened by him. Here Christ is described, 1. By his place and station: In the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and of the elders. He was on the same throne with the Father; he was nearer to him than either the elders or ministers of the churches. Christ, as man and Mediator, is subordinate to God the Father, but is nearer to him than all the creatures; for in him... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 5:7-14

5:7-14 And the Lamb came and received the roll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. When it had received the roll, the four living creatures fell before the Lamb and so did the twenty-four elders, each of whom had a harp and golden bowls laden with incenses, which are the prayers of God's dedicated people. And they sang a new song and this is what they sang: Worthy are you to receive the roll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and so at the price of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 5:8

And when he had taken the book ,.... The Vulgate Latin version reads, "when he had opened the book", very wrongly; for the opening of it by unloosing the seals, one after another, is hereafter mentioned, in Revelation 6:1 , but when it was observed, that the Lamb took the book, and his commission to open, unseal, and fulfil it, the four beasts, and four and twenty elders, fell down before the Lamb ; by way of religious worship and adoration of him; which shows that he was not a mere... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 5:8

The four beasts - fell down before the Lamb - The whole Church of God, and all his children in heaven and earth, acknowledge that Jesus Christ is alone worthy and able to unfold and execute all the mysteries and counsels of God. See on Revelation 5:9 ; (note). Having every one of them harps - There were harps and vials; and each of the elders and living creatures had one. Odours, which are the prayers of saints - The frankincense and odours offered at the tabernacle were emblems of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 5:1-14

Continuation of vision. In the preceding homily we noted that the apostle records five songs. We have already referred to two of them. We now have the three remaining ones before us. 1 . The third song is the new song—of redemption. Creation being effected, what is to be done with it? Of what events is earth to be the scene and the witness? and what are the developments which Providence has in store? See. In the right hand of him who sits upon the throne there is a book—a roll,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 5:1-14

The adoration of the Lamb. The theophany of Revelation 4:1-11 . is continued in this. We are permitted to see more of the high court of heaven, and to witness the purpose of its session, the centre of its adoration, and the transactions in which its members share. We have surveyed the throne and him that sat thereon, the rainbow above the throne, the crystal sea, the burning torches, the elders and the cherubim, and their worship of God. But now the vision is enlarged, and we behold the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 5:8

And when he had taken the book. "Had taken" ( ἔλαβε ) is here aorist, not perfect, as in Revelation 5:7 . The text should probably read, when he took the book; that is to say, the adoration offered coincides in point of time with the act of taking the book. The four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb. The four beasts as representing animated creation; the four and twenty elders as representative of the Church (see on Revelation 4:4 , Revelation 4:6 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 5:8-10

The song of the redeemed host. The triumphant host, the redeemed possession, purchased unto God, give their glory. The whole Church in their representatives give ceaseless praise to him who in humility bare their sins in his own body on the tree. I. THE SONG OF THE CHURCH IS EVER UNTO , AND IN PRAISE OF , THE LAMB . Never can those harps be unstrung; never can the song of redemption cease to mingle with the song of the universe. Ever will he be "matter of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 5:8

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts ... - The acts of adoration here described as rendered by the four living creatures and the elders are, according to the explanation given in Revelation 4:4-7, emblematic of the honor done to the Redeemer by the church, and by the course of providential events in the government of the world.Fell down before the Lamb - The usual posture of profound worship. Usually in such worship there was entire prostration on the earth. See the Matthew 2:2 note;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 5:8-10

Revelation 5:8-10. And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures fell down Now is homage done to the Lamb by the whole Christian Church and all its members, represented by these four living creatures. These, together with the elders, make the beginning, and afterward ( Rev 5:14 ) the conclusion. They are together surrounded with a multitude of angels, (Revelation 5:11,) and together sing the new song, as they had before praised God together, Revelation 4:8, &c. Having... read more

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