What does Revelation 5:2 mean?

In this verse we learn that John saw a mighty angel and heard him ask loudly, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" The identity of the angel is not disclosed, but it may have been Gabriel. We know from Daniel 9:20–23 that the angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel with information about the end times. After delivering this information to Daniel, Gabriel commanded Daniel to seal the book of prophecy "until the time of the end" (Daniel 12:4).

The word "worthy" used here is the Greek axios, which signifies something "morally and legally entitled." John the Baptist used the word "worthy" to indicate he was not morally and legally entitled to untie the straps of Jesus' sandals (John 1:27). The angel's question called for heart searching. All who heard the angel's question would have to do honest self-analysis.

This would include all beings, not just humans. For example, the four living creatures described in chapter 4 (Revelation 4:6–8) had never sinned, but they were not legally entitled to open the scroll and break its seals.