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The Book of Revelation, Part 7: Chapter 5
Talk by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen)
July 9, 2024

Topics include:
(1) Review of Chapter 4 emphasizing connection with the Divine Liturgy. The Chapter envisions an ancient Liturgy, the throne is the Altar table. Or, in the Christian version, the central throne at the rear of the apse is for the Primate, with thrones around for Bishops and Priests (4:4). The Bishop is the liturgical icon of Christ. "Holy Holy Holy" becomes the Trisagion. The "Sea of Glass" is the Temple's giant bowl supported by oxen, replaced by the baptismal font, etc. Clearly there is a continuity of the ancient Temple with the Divine Liturgy. The Divine Liturgy carries all this holy typology; 
(2) Thanksgiving is made to God as creator, as is done in the Divine Liturgy. Christ, the Divine Logos, created all things by the power of the Holy Spirit according to the will of the Father; 
(3) This vision could have been the vision which Christ saw at His baptism, when the heavens were opened to Him, and He heard the voice of the Father, since the Book of Revelation is the visions *received by Christ*, transmitted to John by the angel (1:1); 
(4) Chapter 5: The Scroll as the Gospel. Only the Clergy are allowed to read the Gospel liturgically. In general, the Scriptures are not something to be analyzed by the un-illumined. Christ must come to *open them spiritually*. 
(5) On the Lamb of God, Christ. The Hebrew can be translated as Lamb or Servant. The seven horns represent the fullness of divine glory, the seven eyes the fullness of the Spirit. "Falling down" is to worship God, incense is only offered to God. 
(6) On the connection with the Day of Atonement: The second Lamb, named The Lord, a type and image of the Lord, was a sin offering for all the people of Israel. Christ is the ultimate sin offering for all. This Lamb is also an image of the High Priest ... regular High Priests were not sacrificed, but a lamb instead ... but the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed for us all. Jesus Christ is the Lamb who is the Lord, a sacrificial offering to God, bearing our sins as an offering for all creation, healing us by his blood. This sacrifice expiates our sins ... it is eaten, conveying forgiveness of sins and holiness, sanctifying and renewing the world! Compare this with the first lamb, named Azazel, after the chief of the fallen angels, which was sent into the wilderness, that is, condemned and banished by Christ for the sins he introduced into humanity. So Christ is NOT the scapegoat, as sometimes heard in Protestant discussions. The scapegoat is Azazel, a type of Judas; 
(7) Verse 10 "And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." The Church is the Kingdom of God on earth. As Christians we have the responsibility to be stewards of God's creation ... reigning over the created order, and offering it back to God. Also, kings rule their passions rather than be ruled by them.