I thought that was an interesting question, primarily because I never actually asked it of that short passage when reading or studying Revelation. Since questions concerning the fulfillment of prophecy seem to interest those of us who profess Christ, I decided to take a look.

First, since the ‘versification’ of scripture did not exist when John penned the Revelation, perhaps we would do well to place Rev 5:9-10 into their original context as part of a grand picture of the throne room of God presented to us in Chapters 4 and 5, since they stand on their own as a grand view of the God’s throne prior to the opening of the Seven Seals.

Revelation 4 paints a picture of absolute divine majesty and ceaseless worship. It is a beautiful reminder of the grandeur and holiness of God, and the reverence He is due. This revelation encourages us to reflect upon our own worship and attitudes toward God’s divine majesty. In our everyday life, let us remember the heavenly vision and seek to worship God with the same awe and reverence shown by the heavenly beings.[i]

Revelation 5 paints an awe-inspiring image of divine mystery, power, and majesty. It reinforces that Christ’s sacrifice makes Him worthy of ultimate honor and praise. The chapter invites us to join in the heavenly worship, acknowledging the sovereign power of God and the sacrificial love of the Lamb. Revelation 5 presents a compelling scene of heavenly worship and redemption. In this chapter, the apostle John narrates his vision of the heavenly throne room where a dramatic display unfolds concerning a seven-sealed scroll, an emblem of the impending judgments of God. The pivotal moment arrives when the Lamb, identified as Jesus Christ, is found worthy to open the scroll, leading to a grand outburst of worship and adoration.[ii]

Here is the immediate context of this post’s title question, Revelation 5:1-10:

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. ²And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” ³And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, ⁴and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. ⁵And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” ⁶And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. ⁸And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, ¹⁰and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Emphasis mine)

That brings us back to the original question “When will Rev 5:9-10 be fulfilled?” In rereading those verses, we find that they speak of things past, present, and future. We are told that Jesus Christ is worthy to open the scroll because with His blood He purchased men for God (past), that those He purchased were made a kingdom and priests to our God (past and present) and that one day they will reign on the earth (future).

Verses 11 – 14 then present us with perhaps might be the most majestic picture in all of scripture of those who will worship The Lamb who was slain, who died for our sins, was resurrected, and now sits at the right hand of God!

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; ¹²Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. ¹³And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever. ¹⁴And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him who lives for ever and ever.” (Rev 5:11-14)

So, perhaps the question “When will Rev 5:9-10 be fulfilled?” comes in a very distant second, and pales in comparison to the splendor and majesty of the revelation that Christ is worthy to take the scroll because with His blood He purchased men for God, from every tribe, tongue and nation!

Furthermore, we are not told exactly when those for whom Christ died will reign, only that it will happen! That alone provides an awesome and wonderful hope to the believer who reckons the fulfillment to still be in the future, especially since we are living in a world careening at breakneck speed into an abyss of total lawlessness.

I’ll leave you with a few words spoken by the Apostle to a young Gentile convert and ally of Paul, Titus:

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹²teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ¹³looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14)

Be Blessed!

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[i] Revelation 4 Chapter Summary (biblehub.com)

[ii] Revelation 5 Chapter Summary (biblehub.com)