When did the Lamb take the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne (Revelation 5:7)?

The moment when the Lamb takes the scroll in Revelation 5:7 took place after the ascension of Jesus Christ in the first century, not in 1844. This grand scene depicts Christ's heavenly inauguration as High Priest and co-ruler of the Universe following His victory on the cross of Calvary. Understanding this biblical chronology helps us clearly distinguish between the beginning of the Savior’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary and its final, judgment-related phase.

The Context of the Victory at Calvary

In the fifth chapter of the book of Revelation, John weeps because no one in the Universe was found worthy to open the scroll sealed with seven seals. However, one of the elders directs the apostle's attention to the Lion of the tribe of Judah. When John turns, he sees a Lamb looking as though it had been slain. Christ's worthiness to take the scroll is directly founded upon His redemptive sacrifice:

“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation’” Rev 5:9

These words point to an already completed action. Christ had just accomplished redemption on the cross, risen from the dead, and ascended to the Father. It is for this victory that Heaven glorifies Him and recognizes Him as worthy to direct the destinies of the world and unfold the history of salvation.

Christ's Inauguration upon the Heavenly Throne

The event described in Revelation chapters 4 and 5 is the heavenly counterpart to the Day of Pentecost on earth. New Testament authors unanimously testify that after His ascension, the Savior sat down at the right hand of the Father, receiving royal and high-priestly authority:

“who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” Heb 1:3

“Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.” Acts 2:33

Ellen White, in the book The Desire of Ages, beautifully portrays this scene, highlighting that when Christ ascended, heaven welcomed Him with triumphant shouts. The Father entered into a covenant with His Son, ratifying the acceptance of His sacrifice, and bestowed upon Him all fullness of authority. Taking the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne symbolizes precisely this solemn moment of receiving authority over the world and the church in the first century.

What Truly Happened in 1844?

Some researchers confuse the scene in Revelation 5 with the judgment scene in Daniel chapter 7, where the Son of Man approaches the Ancient of Days. However, these are two distinct events in sacred history. Daniel 7:9–14 and Daniel 8:14 point to the beginning of the investigative judgment and the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary:

“And he said to me, ‘For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.’” Dan 8:14

In 1844, the longest prophetic period of 2,300 evenings and mornings came to an end. At that time, Christ entered the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary to inaugurate the Day of Atonement, the phase of the pre-advent investigative judgment over those who have professed faith in God. In Revelation 5, however, Christ does not begin the judgment; He enters into His rights as the Savior of humanity immediately following His resurrection. There, He receives the worship of all creation at the dawn of the Christian era.

Practical Significance for Us Today

The fact that the Lamb took the scroll back in the first century gives us unshakeable confidence: the course of human history is not subject to blind chance or the whims of dark powers. The destiny of our planet and of every believing soul rests securely in the hands of the One who gave His life on the cross.

We can approach Christ with complete trust as our serving High Priest. Recognizing that the special time of His closing ministry in the sanctuary has been ongoing since 1844, we are called to dedicate our hearts to God, holding fast to the victory of the Lamb, who has already overcome sin and death.