Literally, “he came and he has taken.” This is the focal point of chs. 4 and 5—that Christ, by taking the book from the hand of God, does what no other being in the universe can do (see on ch. 5:5). This action is symbolic of His victory over evil, and when He does this the great antiphonal hymn of all creation resounds throughout the universe (see on vs. 9-13).
John’s words, “he came and he has taken,” are the words of a man whose pen can scarcely keep pace with the dramatic scenes passing before his eyes. In breathless wonder and excitement he declares that Christ “has taken” the book. See on v. 13.
The book.
Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the omission of these words. However, that it is the book that the Lamb takes is clear from v. 8.