Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 5:12

"saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might and honor, and glory, and blessing." — Revelation 5:12 (ASV)

The sixth seal is broken by the Lamb, and John witnesses certain eschatological signs heralding the imminent, final day of the Lord so often described in Scripture (e.g., Isaiah 2:10, 19, 21; 13:10; Jeremiah 4:29; Joel 2:31; Joel 3:15; Zephaniah 1:14–18; Matthew 24:29; et al.). The signs are threefold: (1) the great earthquake and its storm affecting the sun and moon, (2) the stars falling, and (3) the terror on earth (vv.15–17). It is difficult to know how literally the whole description should be taken. Some of the events are described from the standpoint of ancient cosmology—e.g., the falling of the stars to earth like figs from a shaken tree, the sky rolling up like a scroll, and the firmament suspended like a roof over the earth being shaken by the great earthquake.

The scene, whether taken literally or figuratively, is one of catastrophe and distress for the inhabitants of the earth. As later biblical authors seized on the earlier imagery of the theophany on Sinai to describe appearances of God to his people (e.g., Habakkuk 3:3ff.), so John utilizes the imagery of the OT to describe this terrible visitation of God’s final judgment on the earth. Just as we might describe a chaotic situation by saying “all hell broke loose” (though not intending to be taken in a strictly literal sense), so the biblical writers use the language of cosmic turmoil to describe the condition of the world when God comes to judge the earth (v.17). “Earthquakes” are mentioned in 8:5; 11:13, 19; 16:18 and sun, moon, and/or stellar disturbances in 8:12; 9:2; 16:8. Of course, physical phenomena may accompany the final judgment.

Now John sees a new feature in the vision: “thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand” angels surrounding the throne (cf. Daniel’s vision of the countless multitude before the Ancient of Days; Daniel 7:10). The imagery suggests the infinite honor and power of the One who is at the center of it all. The angels shout out their song of praise to the Lamb who was slain (cf. Hebrews 1:6). Their sevenfold shout rings out like the sound from a huge bell —“power... wealth... wisdom... strength... honor... glory... praise.” All these are intrinsic qualities of Christ, except the last, which is the expression of the creatures’ worship. Elsewhere the same qualities are ascribed to God himself (v.13; 7:12).