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Revelation 05 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULB does this with the poetry in 4:8, 11.
Special concepts in this chapter
Sealed scroll
A sealed scroll contains a written message hidden and waiting to be read. The scroll can only be read by the person with the authority to open it.
Twenty-four elders
This is probably a reference to church leaders, but the identity of the twenty-four elders is uncertain. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalypticwriting)
Christian prayers
The prayers of Christians are connected with incense. Christian prayers have a good smell to God. He is pleased when Christians pray.
Seven spirits of God
The exact meaning of this phrase is unclear. It is possibly a symbolic reference to the Holy Spirit with the number seven symbolizing "completeness." It may also not be symbolic, and reference seven spirits surrounding the throne of God.
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Metaphor
The "Lion of the tribe of Judah" and the "Root of David" are references to Jesus. They are metaphors and they function as titles for Jesus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit)