The Lamb is the only one worthy to open the scroll because He alone fulfilled the requirements of perfect righteousness, triumphed over sin and death, and satisfied divine justice through His sacrificial death. The scroll represents the unfolding of God’s final judgment and redemptive plan, and only Jesus Christ (God’s Lamb) has the authority to execute it.
Revelation 5:1 sets the scene:
“And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.”
This scroll, held by God the Father, contains the full decree of His will concerning the destiny of the world. Its contents remain sealed until someone worthy is found to open it.
A search is declared across heaven, earth, and under the earth:
“Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?’ And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.”
(Revelation 5:2–3)
The unworthiness of all creation causes John to weep:
“So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.”
(Revelation 5:4)
But then hope is revealed:
“But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.’”
(Revelation 5:5)
John expects to see a lion (symbolizing kingly power), but instead sees a Lamb:
“And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne… stood a Lamb as though it had been slain…”
(Revelation 5:6)
The Lamb had been slain, yet He stood alive. This is Jesus Christ: crucified, risen, and glorified. His worthiness is not based merely on His deity, but on His work of redemption. He conquered not by force but by sacrifice.
The heavenly hosts declare:
“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood… and have made us kings and priests to our God…”
(Revelation 5:9–10)
No one else in the universe met this standard. Not angels, not saints, not patriarchs. Only the Lamb, having perfectly obeyed the Father and shed His blood to redeem mankind, is qualified.
Opening the scroll means initiating the judgments that lead to the return of Christ and the final establishment of His kingdom. Only Jesus has the moral authority and divine right to bring history to its appointed end.
The Lamb’s worthiness affirms that victory belongs not to those who dominate, but to the One who obeyed unto death. His exaltation is the result of His obedience and humility (Philippians 2:8–11).