Some Bible scholars believe that the scene depicted in Revelation 5 is the judgement scene depicted in Daniel 7:9-14. Both places talk about God’s throne, additional thrones, many attendants, and each talks about a book(s). This makes it easy to assume that both scenes are judgment scenes. However, there are some very large differences. For example,
1) Daniel 7 talks about setting up thrones in a new place in heaven, and God taking His seat. In Revelation 5, God is already seated.
2) Daniel 7 shows Christ’s dramatic entry on the clouds. In Revelation 4 and 5, the Lamb is just present.
3) In Daniel 7 the books are already open before Christ appears. In Revelation 4 and 5, the main focus is that the book is sealed and has to be opened.
By this evidence, we can conclude that Revelation 5 is not a judgment scene.
Verse one of Revelation 5 states that the book was written on the inside and the back. Some Bible scholars argue that the comma was wrongly placed, as in other places in the New Testament (see Luke 23:43 and Acts 19:12), and the verse should actually read “Written within, and on the back (or outside) sealed.”
In verse two, an angel asks who is worthy to open the book. When the answer comes, “No man” the Greek word originally used means no being. John saw that not even the angels could open the book, and he became extremely sad and wept, because he didn’t know if the contents of the book would ever be revealed.
Then the answer came that Jesus was worthy to open the book. In the midst of the four beasts, which are speculated to be angels, He takes the book. The beasts and the elders then sing a new song. Then they are joined by countless multitudes of angels singing a song. As the chapter closes, the beasts say amen, and the twenty-four elders worship Him.
Although I have no support for my conclusion, it is my speculation that Revelation 5 is describing Christ’s ascension after His resurrection, and the twenty-four elders are people who were resurrected and taken to heaven at the same time.
Rubrics 4.