啓示錄 5 章 Revelations 5
- 馬克牧師
- Jul 5
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 28
各位平安，今天我們繼續來默想《啟示錄》第五章的內容。
約翰繼續描述他所看到的異象。他看到那位坐在寶座上的手上拿著一卷書卷，這書卷不只封起來，還是七重封印、超機密檔案，裡外都寫滿了字。你可以想像這感覺像是「天地創造設計書」這種等級的機密文件。這裏約翰引用的經文來自以西結書二章九節，9我觀看，見有一隻手向我伸出來，手中有一書卷。
然後就有一位聲音超大聲的天使出現，發出公開招募：「有沒有人能夠打開這書卷？」結果——天上、地上、地底下都沒人舉手。整個宇宙都靜默無聲。約翰當場崩潰，開始痛哭，畢竟眼前有這麼重要的訊息卻沒人能打開，怎麼辦呢？
這段也給我們一個很重要的提醒：上帝的話語其實一直都在我們身邊。問題不是訊號不夠強，而是我們的「心靈 Wi-Fi」有沒有連上。很多時候我們說「你聽見了嗎？」但不是問你的耳朵，是問你的心有沒有在線上。
說到這裡，我們手上是有聖經的，沒錯，它是全世界賣最好的書，各種版本各種樣式相當漂亮。但問題來了：有多少人是真的打開來讀？又有多少人不是只打開，還試著看懂？聖經不只是文字，更是一場靈命的旅程。我們有沒有準備好，真的去揭開這書卷、用心來讀、用生命來聽見？
接著，我們看到長老中有一位對約翰說了一句很重要的話：「不要哭！」想像一下當時的約翰，眼前這麼關鍵的書卷，關乎天與地的大計劃，卻沒人能打開，他整個人情緒潰堤，感覺像是電影看到一半突然跳出「檔案毀損無法播放」。
其實這個畫面也蠻像我們人生中的某些時刻——困惑、痛苦、卡關、沒有答案，不知道接下來該怎麼辦。這時候，有沒有人在我們耳邊也說過：「不要哭」？不只是安慰，而是一種盼望的宣告。因為，長老接著說：有一位已經得勝了——猶大支派中的獅子，大衛的根。他得勝了，所以他能打開那書卷。
講到這裡大家應該都知道，這位當然就是耶穌基督啦！不過，接下來出場的不是什麼獅子王式的氣勢磅礡角色，而是一隻羔羊，站著，卻像是被殺過的。
然後他又加了一句：「有七個角、七個眼睛。」這形象超特別，相信大家讀的時候都很難理解這樣一個形象對嗎？聽起來有點像是在形容一種奇幻小說的生物對吧？
這裡其實是約翰在用圖像語言來傳達一些深層真理。他引用了《撒迦利亞書》第四章的意象，裡面提到七盞燈、七個眼睛——七這個數字這些在猶太人的思想裡，是「完全」的意思。角代表力量，眼睛代表洞察、監察。而七眼，就是上帝那無所不見的眼目——全地都在祂掌握之中。
你還記得我們之前在第一章提過「七靈」的概念嗎？對，就是聖靈。所以這邊的七角七眼，等於說耶穌擁有完全的力量、完全的洞察、以及完全的靈，就是聖靈，並且這靈已經被差遣到全世界。
然後，畫面來了——耶穌走上前，把書卷接了過來。全場都靜默，因為祂是唯一有資格打開它的，天上地下地底下，沒有第二個人能這麼做。這時，24位長老全都撲通撲通地俯伏敬拜（畫面非常有氣勢），每位手上還拿著金香爐。那金香爐裡裝的，不是香水，也不是蠟燭，是——聖徒的禱告！
哇，你沒聽錯。我們平常的禱告，在上帝眼中，不是「背景雜音」，而是金香爐裡的香氣。這真的太美了。你每一天的禱告都會參與在這個獻給上帝的 “馨香之祭”。你的禱告從不孤獨，是和全世界眾聖徒一同參與著，對於上帝來說最重要的事情。
接著到了第九節，我們看到了一個非常壯觀的場面：大家開始唱新歌啦！這可不是一般的歡唱時間，這是天國裡最重要、最核心的活動——敬拜。
我們之前講過嘛，我們每一個人被造，其實就是為了敬拜神。到了天堂，不會有會議、沒有人事部、也不用繳稅（哈利路亞），但有一件事會永遠不間斷，那就是敬拜神。唱新歌代表著對上帝的救恩與作為不斷有新的領受、新的回應。不是老歌不好，而是上帝的榮耀新鮮到讓你每天都想寫首新歌來讚美祂。
然後第九、第十節還講到一個很關鍵的救恩真理：耶穌被殺，是為了用祂自己的血，把人從各族、各方、各國、各民中買贖回來，讓他們歸屬於神。這一段的意思超級深——簡單說就是，耶穌不是只為一小群人死的，不是只針對 VIP 客戶或猶太社群祂才願意上十字架，而是「全人類適用」，來自全世界的人祂都拯救。
而且注意，這裡用的詞是「買回來」，這不是什麼促銷的打折價，是用自己的血付出的極高代價。這不是「清倉特賣」的那種概念，而是一次重價、無條件、全人類性的贖回。
那接下來做什麼？彼得前書2:9唯有你們是被揀選的族類，是有君尊的祭司，是聖潔的國度，是屬神的子民，要叫你們宣揚那召你們出黑暗、入奇妙光明者的美德。
我們被救贖的目的是什麼？是要作為國度中的祭司，在地上執掌王權。哇，這個身份聽起來是不是大大升級了？從「被救的罪人」變成「上帝的祭司」以及 「國度的大使」，我們不只是得救者，更是被差派的人，有職責、有使命、有榮耀的角色。
然後，我們來到了整章的高光時刻！你以為只有幾位長老在敬拜嗎？不～這場景直接升級到「宇宙聯合敬拜」。畫面中，天上地下的一切被造之物、二十四位長老、還有千千萬萬的天使，數都數不完，他們齊聲高喊：「曾被殺的羔羊是配得權柄、豐富、智慧、能力、尊貴、榮耀與頌讚的！」
我想約翰應該也讀過保羅的書信，所以他所寫的七個讚美，權柄（林前1:24），豐富（以弗所書3:8），智慧（林前1:24） ，能力（林前1:24），尊貴（腓2:11），榮耀（約1:14） ，頌讚 （羅馬書11:36）以及很多其他書信之中。
哇，這段直接是讚美的七重奏，從權柄到頌讚，一個都不少。感覺像是天使界的全明星合唱團，在開一場毫無冷場的演唱會，而主角，就是那位曾被殺、如今得勝的羔羊——耶穌。
你可能會說：「這畫面好熟悉喔？」沒錯，這就是我們熟知的《三一頌》原型，也就是所謂的 Doxology。你知道的那首：
讚美一神萬福之源，天下生靈都當頌言，天上萬軍也讚主名，同心讚美父子聖靈。
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise all you creature here below,
Praise Him all you heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!
每次我們唱這首的時候，其實就是在參與那場《啟示錄》中的宇宙級敬拜。不是在模仿，是在「同步」！天上天使在唱，我們地上也一起合唱！
所以這段歌詞不是誇大的，是把整個天國的敬拜氛圍拉到我們眼前 —— 一個永恆不止息的頌讚浪潮，而我們每次敬拜，其實都是在排練那場永恆的合唱。
這一講關於第五章的分享到這邊，下一講我們繼續默想啟示錄第六章的經文。感謝各位的聆聽，願上帝祝福各位。
Peace be with you all. Today we continue reflecting on the content of Revelation chapter 5.
John continues describing the vision he sees. He sees the One seated on the throne holding a scroll. Not just any scroll—it’s sealed with seven seals, like a top‑secret files document, written on both sides. Imagine something on the level of a “cosmic master plan manual” with classified status. John even quotes Ezekiel 2:9 (“Now as I watched, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll was in it.”).
Next, a mighty angel appears and shouts out like in a cosmic job posting: “Is there anyone worthy to open the scroll?” Silence responds—no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth raises a hand. The whole universe goes still. John breaks down, weeping—after all, here’s this crucial message, and no one can open it. What now?
This moment gives us a vital reminder: God’s Word is always around us. The issue isn’t weak signal—it’s whether our “spiritual Wi‑Fi” is connected. When we ask, “Did you hear?” we’re not checking the ears—we’re checking the heart’s connection.
Yes, we have the Bible in our hands. It’s the world's best‑selling book—glossy, gorgeous, available in countless editions. But here’s the challenge: How many truly open it? And of those, how many dig deeper to understand it? The Bible is more than text—it’s a journey of spiritual formation. Are we ready to tear back the seals, read with intention, and truly hear with our lives?
Then one of the elders speaks to John: “Don’t weep!” Picture John's emotional meltdown: this scroll contains God‑level plans for heaven and earth, yet no one could open it. It’s like watching a blockbuster movie and suddenly getting an error message, “File corrupted—cannot play.” Awkward!
This scene mirrors moments in our lives—confusion, pain, being stuck, having no answers. Has someone ever whispered to you, “Don’t cry”? Not just comfort, but a declaration of hope. Because then the elder continues: there is One who has conquered—the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. He is victorious, and thus worthy to open the scroll.
Yes, that is—Jesus Christ! But He doesn’t appear as the roaring Lion King; instead, He appears as a Lamb, standing yet looking as if slain.
Then comes the next striking line: He has seven horns and seven eyes. That imagery is wild! It feels like describing a character from a fantasy novel. What does that mean?
John uses symbolic language to convey deep spiritual truths. He’s echoing Zechariah 4, with the seven lamps and seven eyes. In Jewish thought, the number seven symbolizes completeness. Horns signify power, eyes signify insight and oversight. Seven eyes imply God’s omniscience—His gaze covers the whole earth.
Remember our earlier discussion about the seven spirits? That’s the Holy Spirit. So these seven horns and eyes express that Jesus possesses perfect power, perfect insight, and the perfect Spirit, who has now been sent out into the world.
Now the scene crescendos—Jesus steps forward, takes the scroll. Everything falls silent. He’s the only one worthy. No one else in heaven, on earth, or under the earth can do this.
Then the twenty‑four elders fall down in worship—synchronized, heart‑dropping reverence. In their hands, they hold golden bowls of incense. But these bowls aren’t filled with perfume or candles—they’re filled with the prayers of the saints!
That’s right—our ordinary prayers are not “background noise” to God, but fragrant incense rising before Him. Beautiful! Every time you pray, you’re participating in this offering—your prayers are never solitary; they join the global chorus of saints offering a sweet‑smelling sacrifice to God.
Then in verse 9, the scene shifts to something even more magnificent: everyone sings a new song! This isn’t just worship hour—it’s the central, eternal activity of heaven.
We’ve said it before: everything in us—our entire purpose—is to worship God. In heaven, there are no meetings, no HR, no taxes (“Hallelujah!”), but there is one continuous activity—worship. Singing a new song is a fresh response to God’s redemption and work. Not because the old songs are bad, but because God’s glory is always so new that every day inspires a new song of praise.
Then verses 9 and 10 spell out the core of salvation truth: Jesus was slain, and by His blood, He purchased people from every tribe, language, people, and nation, bringing them to God. That’s deep: Jesus’ death wasn’t for a select few, an exclusive club, or a single ethnicity—it’s for all humanity, the world over.
And notice the phrase “purchased.” This wasn’t a sale or discount—this was paid in full by Christ’s blood. Not a clearance sale—this was a costly, unconditional, universal redemption.
What comes next? Remember 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…” Our purpose? We are not only saved—we are kingdom priests on earth. From “saved sinners” we become “God’s priests” and kingdom ambassadors. We are not passive receivers—we are sent ones, with purpose, mission, and honor.
And finally we reach the chapter’s high point! You thought it was just the elders worshiping? No—this escalates to a universal concert of praise. All creation—living creatures in heaven and earth—plus twenty‑four elders, plus countless angels, join in one voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
John was likely familiar with Paul’s letters, so the sevenfold praise references biblical themes: power (1 Cor 1:24), riches (Eph 3:8), wisdom (1 Cor 1:24), strength (1 Cor 1:24), honor (Phil 2:11), glory (John 1:14), and praise (Romans 11:36)—echoed throughout Scripture.
This isn’t just a praise song—it’s a heavenly symphony, a seven‑part harmony, from power to praise, perfection to infinite worship. It’s like the angelic all‑stars performing a non‑stop concert, headlined by the slain‑but‑risen Lamb—Jesus.
You might think, “This sounds familiar.” Yes—that’s the prototype of the Doxology:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow…Praise all you creatures here below…Praise Him, you heavenly hosts…Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Every time we sing it, we’re not merely echoing tradition—we’re joining that cosmic worship. Heaven sings, and we on earth sing with them—in real time!
So it’s not hyperbole—it’s transporting the atmosphere of heaven’s worship into our present reality. It’s an ever‑flowing wave of praise, and every time we worship, we are rehearsing that eternal chorus.
That wraps up our sharing on Revelation 5. In the next episode, we’ll continue reflecting on Revelation 6. Thank you all for listening—may God bless each of you.
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