NOTES for Rev 5:1-14
In visions of the Throne of Glory there is often a certain kind of movement connected with the fulfillment of a plan of God for an individual person or an entire people, as happened, for example, with Isaiah of Jerusalem, for whom such a vision became a call to prophetic ministry (Isa. 6:6-8). To John, at the Throne of Glory, God's plan of salvation concerning all humanity is revealed. He sees a scroll ("book") written on both sides and sealed with seven seals, which no one can either open or read - a fact that greatly distresses the apostle (vv. 1-4).
In the context of the prophetic tradition, a scroll usually symbolizes a revelation given by God, which the prophet must take in by swallowing the scroll (Ezek. 2:8-3:3). The number seven, associated with the sacred seven-branched lampstand, symbolizes in the Book of Revelation the fullness of the sanctification of the world and of humanity. The seven seals with which the scroll is sealed, then, should symbolize the fullness of revelation corresponding to that fullness of sanctification, that is, the fullness of the Kingdom. It is no surprise that no one is able to receive this fullness except the Savior Himself, who is revealed to John in the form of a sacrificial lamb with seven eyes and seven horns, symbolizing the omniscience and omnipotence He has received from God (vv. 6-8).
The image of the Messiah approaching the Throne of Glory can be considered traditional for apocalyptic books (Dan. 7:13-14). But in John's Book of Revelation, in the context of the traditional cultic symbolism connected with the Tabernacle and the Temple, this image takes the form of a lamb being offered in sacrifice. In this way, God draws His servant's attention to that side of Christ's ministry connected with the cleansing of the world and with its sanctification, which is unthinkable without such cleansing, without the world's liberation from the power of sin and its consequences. This side of the Savior's ministry could be called priestly; it is in this sense that He was called High Priest and Redeemer, the One who frees from the power of sin, from which no one else can free us. And the song of renewal ("a new song") sung by those standing at the Throne confirms the meaning of what is happening (vv. 9-14).
Thus, at the Throne of Glory, the chief design of God is revealed to John: the cleansing and sanctification of the world through its participation in the Kingdom that the Messiah sent by Him will bring into the world.