The Lamb’s Perspective

Revelation 5–7

Theme: Salvation — Christ is worthy, Christ is in control, Christ redeems

Introduction

When we come to Revelation 5, everything changes.

Up to this point, John has been caught up into heaven. He has seen the throne. He has seen the One seated on it.

But now the question shifts from who is on the throne to:

Who is worthy to take what belongs to God and bring His plan to completion?

Revelation 5 introduces us to Jesus in a way that is both powerful and paradoxical.

He is both the Lion and the Lamb.

He is both the King who conquers and the sacrifice who redeems.

And everything that follows in the tribulation begins with Him.

I. Jesus — The Lion and The Lamb

(Revelation 5:1–7)

John sees a scroll in the right hand of God.

It is sealed with seven seals.

This scroll represents the title deed to the earth and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan.

But no one is found worthy to open it.

John begins to weep.

Then one of the elders says:

Revelation 5:5

“Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered.”

This is loaded with Old Testament prophecy.

The Lion of Judah

This goes back to Genesis 49:9–10.

Genesis 49:9–10 ESV

9 Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

Jacob prophesies over Judah:

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah…”

This is a prophecy of:

Kingship

Authority

Dominion

Jesus fulfills this as the rightful King.

The Root of David

This connects to

Isaiah 11:1 ESV

1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

Isaiah 11:10 ESV

10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

This shows:

Messiah comes from David’s line

He rules the nations

He establishes a kingdom

Jesus is not just a king — He is the promised King.

But Then John Sees a Lamb

Revelation 5:6

“And I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain.”

This is the shock of the passage.

John hears “Lion”…

but sees “Lamb.”

The Lamb in the Old Testament

This is fulfillment of multiple OT themes:

1. Passover Lamb — Exodus 12

Blood applied saves from judgment

Substitutionary sacrifice

2. Isaiah 53:7

“He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.”

Suffering servant

Silent sacrifice

3. Daily Sacrificial System — Leviticus

Continuous atonement

Blood required for forgiveness

The Theological Tension

Jesus conquers not by force, but by sacrifice.

He is the Lion because He was the Lamb.

That is why He is worthy.

Key Teaching Point

The tribulation does not begin with chaos.

It begins with the Lamb taking authority.

II. The Seven Seals & The Four Horsemen

(Revelation 6)

As the Lamb opens the seals, the tribulation begins.

This is not random judgment.

This is Christ unfolding prophecy.

The Four Horsemen

These first four seals introduce global collapse.

1. White Horse — Conquest (Antichrist)

Revelation 6:2

This is a false peace.

Connection:

Daniel 9:27 — covenant with many

1 Thessalonians 5:3 — “peace and safety”

2. Red Horse — War

Revelation 6:4

Peace is removed from the earth.

Connection:

Ezekiel 38–39 — global conflict

Matthew 24:6 — “wars and rumors of wars”

3. Black Horse — Famine

Revelation 6:5–6

Economic collapse.

Connection:

Leviticus 26:26 — bread rationed

Ezekiel 4:16 — food scarcity

4. Pale Horse — Death

Revelation 6:8

Death spreads across the earth.

Connection:

Jeremiah 15:2–3 — sword, famine, pestilence

Ezekiel 14:21 — God’s four judgments

Key Observation

These four match God’s covenant judgments in the Old Testament.

They are not new.

They are fulfilled and intensified.

Fifth Seal — Martyrs

Revelation 6:9–11

Souls cry out:

“How long, O Lord?”

Connection:

Psalm 79:10

Zechariah 1:12

God promises justice is coming.

Sixth Seal — Cosmic Disturbance

Revelation 6:12–17

Sun darkened

Moon like blood

Sky rolled up

Connection:

Joel 2:30–31

Isaiah 13:10

Isaiah 34:4

This is the Day of the Lord language.

Key Teaching Point

Everything happening in the seals was prophesied in the Old Testament.

The Lamb is not reacting.

He is fulfilling prophecy.

III. The Throne Scene — The Redeemed Worship

(Revelation 7)

After judgment, we see a pause.

God reveals something critical.

The 144,000 (Briefly)

God seals His servants from Israel.

Connection:

Ezekiel 9:4 — marked for protection

Zechariah 12–13 — preservation of Israel

The Great Multitude

Revelation 7:9

“A great multitude that no one could number…”

From every:

Nation

Tribe

People

Language

Standing before the throne.

Old Testament Fulfillment

Abrahamic Covenant — Genesis 12:3

“All nations will be blessed through you.”

Isaiah 49:6

“A light for the nations…”

Daniel 7:14

“All peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.”

What Are They Doing?

Revelation 7:10

“Salvation belongs to our God… and to the Lamb!”

They are:

Standing (victory)

Clothed in white (righteousness)

Holding palm branches (triumph)

Worship Scene

They cry out:

“Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving…”

This mirrors:

Psalm 145

Psalm 150

Key Teaching Point

Even in the tribulation:

God is still saving people.

The Lamb is still redeeming.

Conclusion

Revelation 5–7 shows us something powerful.

Before we ever see the chaos of the tribulation…

We see the control of the Lamb.

He is the Lion — promised King

He is the Lamb — perfect sacrifice

He is the One who opens the seals

He is the One who fulfills prophecy

He is the One who redeems a people

And in the end…

Every nation, every tribe, every tongue…

Will stand before Him and say:

“Salvation belongs to our God… and to the Lamb.”

Final Line to Land the Message

The tribulation does not begin with destruction…

It begins with a worthy Savior taking His rightful place.