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About a book sealed with seven seals, which none of the created creatures can open Rev.5:1. And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne, a book written within and without, sealed with seven seals. The book means the wise memory of God, in which everything is written, as the divine David speaks about this, but one can also understand the depth of Divine destinies. The internal content of the book, being spiritual, is inaccessible to understanding, but the external content, contained in letters, is more easily understood. The seven seals mean either the perfect and unknown to us confirmation of the book, or the economy of the Spirit of God, testing the depths, which none of the creatures can solve. By book we can also understand the prophecies that Christ spoke about, that they were partially fulfilled in the Gospel (Luke 24:44), but will be completely fulfilled in the last days. Rev.5:2. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open this book and to open its seals? Rev.5:3. And no one could, neither in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth, open this book, nor look into it. “No one could open the book,” that is, neither the Angels, nor the people in the flesh, nor the saints released from it, achieved complete knowledge of the destinies of the Divine, except the Lamb of God, Who by His coming fulfilled the prophecies previously spoken about Him. Rev.5:4. And I cried a lot because no one was found worthy to open and read this book, or even look into it. “And I wept,” he says, has not the purest order of Angels also fallen into ignorance? Rev.5:5. And one of the elders said to me: do not cry; Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome, and is able to open the book and open the seven seals thereof. “Do not cry,” he says, because if the book is inaccessible to the Angels, then it can be opened by God, who became human for the sake of people, Who in humanity is the Root of David, and in His Divinity the Creator of everything. About the vision of what was in the middle of the throne and the four living creatures. About the authorization of the book by the Lamb having seven horns Rev.5:6. And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. The “seven horns” and “seven hairs” of the Lamb mean the seven spirits of Christ, which were prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 11:2, 3) and Zechariah (Zechariah 4:10). The words “as if forged” indicate His life after the slaughter, during which, after His resurrection from the dead, like a truly slain Lamb, He showed His disciples the signs of His suffering. Rev.5:7. And He came and took the book from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Rev.5:8. And when He took the book, then 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. “Gusli” means harmonious and euphonious Divine praise; “incense” is the fragrant sacrifice of believers, their undefiled life, for, according to the Apostle Paul, “the aroma of Christ is” (2 Cor. 2:15); “Vials” are thoughts from which emanate the fragrance of good deeds and pure prayer. Rev.5:9. And they sing a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the book and to open the seals from it, for You were slain, and with Your Blood you redeemed us to God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, Rev.5:10. and made us kings and priests to our God; and we will reign on the earth. The “elders” are those who pleased God in the Old and New Testaments and bring thanks to the Lamb of God, our Redeemer, for the whole world. The “new song” is the one that is sung, having been taught by the Holy Spirit, enlightened from all peoples and tribes and freed from the letter of the Old Testament. Scripture says about them that they will reign in the land promised by the meek Lord. Rev.5:11. And I saw and heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, and their number was ten thousand and thousands, Rev.5:12. who said with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” Rev.5:13. And every creature that is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and everything that is in them, I heard saying: To him that sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. “And I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elder,” for God is glorified from everything spiritual and sensory, living and simply existing, as the cause and beginning of all existence, as the Son of God, the Only Begotten and Consubstantial, who gave people renewal and restored them to their original dignity, although it is written that He received power over earthly and heavenly things as Man. Rev.5:14. And the four living creatures said: Amen. And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever. “The four living creatures” and “elders” mean that Angels and people formed one flock and one Church through Jesus Christ, who united what was divided and destroyed the mediastinum. And so, along with the four animals, superior to the other ranks of angels, as we have heard, the elders, who signify the fullness of those who are being saved, turn out to be worthy of singing to God and worshiping Him. May we also be worthy of this through Christ Himself, the Giver of peace and our God; to Him, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory, power and honor, now and ever and to endless ages. Amen. You might be interested in: