We finish up Chapter 5 today with a fresh look at the person of the Lord Jesus Christ in His role as the Lamb of God who was slain for us. John's vision of Him in our passage is highly symbolic, just as his vision of Him in Chapter 1 was symbolic. But it's important that we take time to rejoice over our Redeemer today and to take comfort in His presence, for in tomorrow's study He will open the first seal of the scroll. When He does, the first horseman of the apocalypse will ride forth, ushering in the advent of the one called the Antichrist. John and the company of the redeemed in heaven are about to view startling and terrible things on the earth, but before they do, they will give glory to the One in whom they've trusted. They will worship the One who whisked them out of the world before the dark days of the Great Tribulation began.
When we closed yesterday, we spoke about why one of the elders referred to the Lord Jesus Christ as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" and the "Root of David". These Messianic titles speak of His legal right to rule on the earth. Today we will view Him as the "Lamb", and this gives Him the spiritual right to rule on the earth. Bible scholar and author David Guzik says of John's vision, "Because of the elder's announcement, John expected to see a lion, but saw a lamb instead." I think this is because, to the ones who belong to Him, Christ is as gentle as a lamb. But to those who rebel against Him and blaspheme His name and disobey His precepts for godly living, He is a conquering king.
Keep in mind that everyone who saw Christ after His resurrection saw Him as a man. I think that throughout eternity He will always have the form of a man. But John views Him in Chapter 5 in a form that symbolizes important aspects about His role as the sacrificial Lamb. "Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, encircled by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne." (Revelation 5:6-7) Tim LaHaye, author of Revelation Unveiled, says, "John sees Him as a sacrificial Lamb, for John sees Him through eyes of faith." When the Lord comes to rule the earth, He will be as majestic and powerful as a lion. We will behold Him in all His glory. But still, because we have been redeemed by Him, a part of us will always think of Him as the Lamb, the One whom Isaiah prophesied would die not for His own sins but for ours: "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter." (Isaiah 53:7a)
John tells us that the seven eyes on the Lamb represent the seven spirits of God (the Holy Spirit in all His perfection and completeness as He goes into the world and deals with the hearts of mankind). What do the seven horns mean? In the Bible, the word "horn" often signifies power. King David sometimes used the word "horn" when referring to his reign and to his right (given to him by God) to rule Israel. This word was also used as a symbol of victory. Hannah, the mother of Samuel, used the word "horn" when giving praise to God for answering her prayers for a child, saying, "In the Lord my horn is lifted high". So the fact that the Lamb appears with seven horns (seven usually symbolizing perfection and completeness in the Bible) may signify the Lord's power, His right to rule, and His victory. Or this may signify the power and victory we have through Him, and to His promise that we will reign with Him. In addition, these horns remind me of the instructions given in Exodus about building the altar that was to be placed in the sanctuary. It was to have a "horn" on each corner. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest was to anoint each of these horns with the blood of the sacrifice. So the seven horns on the Lamb may represent the perfect and complete atoning sacrifice Christ made for us.
This Lamb is the only One worthy to take the scroll and open its seven seals, so He takes it from the hand of God the Father. Who else could take anything from the Father's hand except the Son? This passage appears to be the fulfillment of the vision given to the prophet Daniel, who saw the Messiah approaching the throne of God and being given "authority, glory, and sovereign power". (See Daniel 7:13-14) When Christ takes the scroll, rejoicing breaks out in heaven. "And when He had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. And they sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:8-10)
Why does a hallelujah chorus break out at this time? Because God's plans for the earth, for humans, and for the animal kingdom are about to be fulfilled. The Lord Jesus Christ, by whom and for whom all things were created, is about to put an end to all wickedness on the earth. He is going to cast Satan down forever. He is going to take what rightfully belongs to Him, and He is going to reign over the world in righteousness and peace forever.
Now all the angels of heaven add their voices to this thundering praise. "Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'" (Revelation 5:13)
Next something even more remarkable happens. All the other creatures add their voices to the song of praise. This is because the redemption of the created world is about to take place, the redemption it has awaited ever since man fell from grace in the Garden of Eden. "Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: 'To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!'" (Revelation 5:13) When the Lord Jesus Christ comes to rule over the earth, the creation will be restored to an Eden-like state. This is why the birds in the air, the animals on the land, and the fish in the sea give praise to Him. The Bible tells us that "the creation waits in eager expectation" (Romans 8:19) for Christ to reign on the earth along with the redeemed who will be in immortal bodies like His. The creation eagerly awaits that day because "the creation itself will be liberated from bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and the glory of the children of God". (Romans 8:21)
At the conclusion of a worship service that will eclipse every worship service we've ever seen on earth, "The four living creatures said, 'Amen', and the elders fell down and worshiped." (Revelation 5:14) The four living creatures say, "Amen," which means, "So be it." In saying, "So be it," these creatures are saying, "Let the plan of Almighty God for His entire creation come to its glorious conclusion."
Amen! So be it! Join us tomorrow when the Lord Jesus Christ opens the first seal on the scroll and sets in motion the final seven years of time as the world knows it---the final seven years before He comes to earth as King of kings and Lord of lords and makes all things new.
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