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Revelation 5:3
ESV And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,
NIV But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.
NASB And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.
CSB But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it.
NLT But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
KJV And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

What does Revelation 5:3 mean?

In the prior verse, a mighty angel asked who was worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:1) by breaking its seals. According to this verse, the angel's question resulted in no answer. John observes that no one claimed to be worthy to open the scroll and break its seals. No one in heaven qualified for the task. No one on earth was qualified to accept the challenge. Nor was anyone under the earth, in Hades, morally and legally qualified to take on the assignment. No one was found anywhere who could open the scroll or look into it.

Revelation 6—16 describes judgments that would fall later on those who dwell on earth, but John reports that no one had the right to initiate them by opening the scroll. The lack of response to the mighty angel's challenge makes us keenly aware that we do not have the moral or legal right to take vengeance on evildoers. "Vengeance is mine," the Lord exclaims in Deuteronomy 32:35. In the tribulation period, He will execute his vengeance on the wicked.
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