“And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.”
And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it — the threefold cosmic scope (heaven, earth, underworld) establishes that no created being, angelic or otherwise, possesses the authority or merit to unseal God's purpose. John weeps in response to this void of worthiness.
Church Fathers on Revelation 5:3
“And I saw an angel full of strength proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no one was found worthy, neither in the earth nor under the earth, to open the book.” Now to open the book is to overcome death for man.
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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