Most of the time, when we think about the last book of the Bible, our attention is immediately drawn to its cascading visions of the judgment that will be brought on the wicked at the end of time. In fact, these numerous visions have led many people to give the book the incorrect title, calling it “the Book of Revelations.”

But the very first verse of the book tells us that this isn’t a series of revelations at all, but instead only one: “The revelation of Jesus Christ.” That’s because Christ Himself lies at the heart of this book. He is the alpha and the omega (1:6; 21:6; 22:13), or as we would put it in terms of the English alphabet, He is the A and the Z. This book is thus, from first to last, all about Jesus.

So, how does this book portray Jesus? Yes, as the Lamb Who was slain to redeem all His people by His blood (5:6, 9). But because of His perfect sacrifice, He has been counted worthy not only to receive all glory and blessing, but also all power and might (5:12). Because He has overcome sin and death, He has become the lord of all history, the only One Who can open the seals of the book (5:9), the book which contains judgment on the wicked as well blessing for all who trust in Christ.

So, as we read this book, let’s remember Who is in complete control of everything it predicts. And let’s join all the host of heaven and all the saints throughout all the ages as we bow down and worship the One Who alone is worthy to “receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (5:12).

Revelation 5:1-14 (NASB)

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?”
3 And no one in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look into it.
4 And I began to weep greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it;
5 and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”
6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
7 And He came, and He took it out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
8 And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
10 “And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
11 And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands,
12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”
14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.