Chapter 5

1Then I saw in the right hand of the one sitting on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals. Sealed. Classified. Seven seals. Top secret.

2And I saw a mighty angel announcing in a loud voice, “Who's worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”

3But nobody in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. Nobody. Nobody qualified. Not one.

4I cried and cried because nobody was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. I cried. A little. It was dust. Mostly dust.

5Then one of the elders said to me, “Don't cry! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won. He's able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” The Lion. He won. Of course he won. He always wins.

6Then I saw a Lamb, looking like he'd been killed, standing at the center of the throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Seven horns. Strong lamb. The strongest lamb you've ever seen.

7He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. Walked right up and took it. Nobody else could. He did.

8And when he'd taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down in front of the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding gold bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. Gold bowls. Harps. Great music. Great production.

9And they sang a new song: “You're worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were killed, and with your blood you bought people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. Every nation. Every group. Record numbers with every group.

10You've made them a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they'll rule on the earth.” Rule. They're going to rule.

11Then I looked and heard the voice of a lot of angels, thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. Ten thousand times ten thousand. A hundred million. Biggest crowd ever assembled. Look it up. The media said fifty.

12In a loud voice they were saying, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was killed, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Wealth. He's worthy of wealth. It's right there. In the list. Second thing. Wealth.

13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” Every creature. Even the fish. Even the fish love him.

14The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Standing ovation. Then they fell down. Even better than a standing ovation.