Where there was hopelessness in creation, no one who was able to open the sealed scroll and fulfil God’s purpose, now wonderfully there is found a glorious answer. The lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed (v5), which means He has been victorious, He has conquered all opposition and is able to open the scroll.

Jesus was descended from the tribe of Judah and is the victorious one, the King of Kings. But there is an unexpected twist. This mighty and victorious lion is also a lamb that was slain (v6).

Here we begin to see the wonderful contrast of the meekness and majesty that there is in Christ. The one who was all powerful as He was God, allows Himself to be taken and crucified by sinful men. Victory would come but not as expected but through the suffering of the cross (Colossians 2 v14-15).

The Jesus who died was not weak; the seven horns (v6) speak of how Jesus is perfect in power; the seven eyes speaks of how Jesus is perfect in knowledge

This powerful person, the Lion and the Lamb takes the scroll from the One on the throne to fulfil God’s purposes of salvation.