John saw a scroll in the right hand of the one seated on the throne. It was written on both sides and sealed with seven seals. No one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth could open it or even look inside.
A strong angel called out with a loud voice, asking who was worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. No one answered. No creature anywhere could claim that right.
John wept bitterly. The scroll remained closed. The purposes of the one on the throne seemed locked away with no one able to reveal them.
One of the elders spoke to John directly. He told him not to weep. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, had overcome. He was worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.
John looked and saw a Lamb standing in the center of the throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb appeared as though it had been slain. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
The Lamb came and took the scroll from the right hand of the one seated on the throne. The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each held a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
They sang a new song. They declared the Lamb worthy to take the scroll and open its seals because he was slain and purchased people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation. Those people were made a kingdom and priests to God, and they will reign on the earth.
John then heard the voices of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands. They cried out with a loud voice that the Lamb who was slain is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.
Every created thing in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea joined in. They all said that blessing, honor, glory, and dominion belong to the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.
The four living creatures said Amen. The elders fell down and worshiped.