The Book and the Lamb Pt. 3

When we left John last week we saw him in tears, weeping because there was no one was found to be worthy to take the book and to open it. He was in desperation, he was in anguish sensing that all hope was lost!

Its in the aftermath of John crying that we begin our search today. Look with me at Revelation 5:5

Revelation 5:5 KJV 1900

5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Weep not = stop crying! It is a command, not an option.

Why should John stop crying? Didn’t this elder know what was happening? Didn’t he understand the situation? Didn’t he know that all hope was lost? Didn’t he know that Satan had won?

Do you see now what the problem was? John was so caught up in himself, in his circumstances that he had overlooked the most important part of the scene…read Revelation 5:6

Revelation 5:6 KJV 1900

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Do not let your circumstances blind you to the point that you miss seeing Jesus in your trial.

What is keeping you from seeing Jesus?

When John finally took his eyes from his situation and got them on the Savior, he saw Jesus as God sees Him, as His Lamb. But not just any Lamb, Jesus is a...

Special Lamb

In verse 6 we read of a Lamb. The word for lamb is not your average word for lamb, it is the word for a “pet lamb” one that has been set aside to be watched, to ensure there is nothing wrong with it. Why? For the purpose of sacrifice.

In verse five we are told of a Lion in verse 6 of a Lamb, but we know that they are both one and the same both are aspects of Jesus’ personality and purpose. Jesus is more than just a lion, more than just a lamb, He is the Lion-Lamb!

The Lion speaks of His second coming; the Lamb to His first.

The Lion is symbolic of His majesty; the Lamb meekness.

As the Lion He is sovereign; as the Lamb He is Savior.

As the Lion He is judge; as the Lamb He is judged.

The Lion represents the government of God; the Lamb represents the grace of God.

That being said, I want to point out to you that Jesus is referred to as a lion in Revelation exactly one time. Right here. However, He is referred to as the Lamb at least 28 times. Lamb is John’s favorite title for Jesus in Revelation. Why? I believe because it speaks of the grace of God.

Church, Jesus is a special Lamb today because of His grace. It is His grace that brings us to the second truth we notice as we look at the Lamb, we see with John a...

Slain Lamb

John was crying in verse 4, he was told to stop crying in verse 5, that the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David (Both OT prophecies fulfilled by Jesus). In verse 6 John turns to see the Lion, but instead sees the Lamb! I want you to notice the facts about this lamb....

Slain Lamb = slaughtered

This speaks of the violence surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus

Isaiah 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; His visage was so marred more than any man, And his form more than the sons of men:”

Don’t think the violent death was against His will we see He was also the...

Sacrificed Lamb = The slain lamb speaks to His willingness to take our place.

I’m reminded often how that it was not Jesus’s sins which led Him to the cross, but mine.

I am thankful for the sacrifice of the Lamb of God for my sins!

Not only was He the sacrificed Lamb, but He is the...

Sustaining Lamb = the word means that John saw Him as He had been slain

Not a recent event, but one from the past

I love it that Jesus today still bears the markings of His crucifixion as a reminder to US of His sacrifice, but not just that also it reminds us that He is still in the saving business

Church, listen to me, there is not a one of us today that deserves the love, the grace, the mercy of God, we all deserve His wrath, but thank God for the Lamb that stood in our place! Thank God for the Lamb that went to the cross and took the nails, took the shame, took the punishment that belonged to me and you! Thank God for the slain Lamb, but thank God too for the...

Standing Lamb

Revelation 5:6 KJV 1900

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

This speaks of His resurrection! I’m glad that Jesus is a special Lamb, I’m glad that He is slain Lamb, but I am ever-grateful that He is a standing Lamb!

Are you listening church? Doesn’t that get you excited to know that we serve a LIVING Savior? What other religion can say that? NONE!

If Jesus was dead, there would be no hope. John sees Him standing! Hebrews 10:12

Hebrews 10:12 KJV 1900

12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

When John sees Him He is no longer the seated intercessor, He is the standing Judge! Given the nature of Chapter 6, He could no longer stay seated. He is on His feet in preparation to take back what is rightfully His!

We see Jesus is a special Lamb, a slain Lamb, a standing Lamb, and finally we see He is a...

Superior Lamb

He is Superior in that...

He is God - notice the repeated number seven...

Seven horns

Horns symbolize power and strength

7 is the number of God, the number of perfection/completion

Therefore it speaks to His omnipotence

Seven eyes

Eyes speak of intelligence or knowledge

Seven eyes would refer to His omniscience

Seven spirits of God

Many would equate this with the seven-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit

I believe this is a reference to His omnipresence

All this points to the fact that...

He is Worthy

I will remind you of verse 4… “no man was found worthy”

No man was found worthy, but thank God there is a Lamb that is worthy!

Imagine the scene as John wipes the tears from his eyes. He sees the throne, he sees the Father, and he sees the scroll, then he sees the Lamb. Imagine the excitement when Jesus walks the short distance to the throne and takes the scroll from the hand of God. Imagine the joy that flooded John’s heart when that happened. Church, Jesus is a Superior Lamb. He is worthy!

Conclusion:

I am thankful today that Jesus is a special Lamb, a Slain Lamb, a Standing Lamb, and a Superior Lamb.

In verse 4 John is overwhelmed with sadness in that no one is worthy, instead of trusting God he instead becomes absorbed with his own grief and nearly misses Jesus. Let me point out, that Jesus was not hiding, the Bible says in verse 6 he is “…in the midst...” He is at the very center of the scene around the throne, and by the way, Jesus deserves to be the very center of your life as well. He should be the center of this church, the center of your marriage, your family, your job, your business, your life!

The greatest tragedy of this entire passage is the John nearly missed Jesus. Church that is the greatest tragedy of today. That there is someone here who has overlooked Jesus. He is here, He is calling someone to Him today, begging them to repent, begging them to call on Him, but because their focus is on themselves, on their situation, on their circumstances, they will miss Him.

Don’t let that person be you. Will you bow your head with me today?

With every head bowed and every eye closed, would you be honest with yourself and honest with God today. Would you say, “Pastor, I know that I’m saved, I know that my sins are forgiven, but I am guilty of not making Jesus the center of my life. The Spirit of God spoke to me today and here and now I confess this sin and purpose to put Him first.” If that is you today, would you raise your hand? The altar is open if you are in need.

I wonder if someone today would say, “Pastor, I do not know for sure if I died today that I’d go to heaven, but I am sure I do not want to go to hell. Pastor would you pray for me?” Would you raise your hand today, I’ll not embarrass you, I just want to pray for you.

As we stand to sing together, if the Spirit has worked in your heart would you come to this altar today? Would you confess your sin, repent, and move on with your walk with God?