THE LAMB-LIKE LION

Revelation 1:1 ESV

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

We are going through the End of Days series and Rev 1:1. states that this revelation is not the Revelation of the church, it is not the Revelation of the Saints. It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The Word revelation is the Greek word Apokalypsis from which the derive our English word Apocalypse from and it means an uncovering. It means something that was once shrouded with mystery but has now become disclosed.

God has sent me here today to remind you that He is still in control. He still has a plan even when we don’t understand. We have to be reminded that behind the affairs of men is the ruling of two different Kingdoms. The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the Enemy. We need to also understand that there is another mystery at work and that is what the Bible calls the Mystery of iniquity. Or the mystery of lawlessness. And that Spirit of Antichrist is at work in our current world today. Atrocious things, unspeakable things, unthinkable things have taken place in history and they will take place in the future. It is the Mystery of Inequity, and part of that mystery that we must come to grips with is why God allows them to happen.

It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, that He gave to his servants to warn them of things that are going to take place. Wars and desolations have been decreed, but let not your heart fear, because He has overcome.

With the mystery of Inquiry in mind, and what we know will take place from the Revelation let us now think about our current situation.

I pulled this portion from a Book called Unveiling the End Times in our Time

Unveiling the End Times in Our Time: The Triumph of the Lamb in Revelation Chapter 1

Richard Swenson was on James Dobson's program, Focus on the Family. He was discussing how history is coming to a climax. He spoke of a principle called exponentiality, which means that our civilization is moving faster and faster. Things are coming at us so quickly that our minds are numbed with the speed of these changes. Swenson believes they are coming so fast we are unable to reverse them. For example, we cannot undiscover things that have been invented, such as television, the Internet, genetic engineering, robotics—they are all quickly filing into the memory bank.

Swenson shared the following illustration. If you were to take a sheet of paper and fold it one time, then fold that fold another time and fold it like that forty times, how high do you think it would be? If you folded this sheet one hundred times, Swenson said that the folded paper would reach past the Milky Way to the far recesses of the universe!

Here is another illustration of the principle of exponentiality. The Pacific Ocean is sixty-four million square miles and has an average depth of fourteen thousand feet. If you put all of the continents on earth in the Pacific Ocean, you would still have room for another Asia.

Furthermore, Swenson explained that if you drained the Pacific Ocean, then began adding water, starting with just one drop, but doubling the amount each time, in just eighty times you would refill the entire Pacific Ocean. On the seventieth drop it would only be less than one tenth of one percent full. On the seventy-ninth drop it would be one-half full. On the eightieth drop it would be full. On the eighty-first drop you'd have two Pacific oceans. That's the principle of exponentiality, and that is what is happening in our society.

If we drew a line of technological advancement of knowledge from zero to 1975, that line would be relatively flat. But from 1975 to the present day, the line would go straight up. One scientist said that in the next one hundred years science will have progressed as much as it has in the last twenty thousand years

We are living in a world where things are quickly coming to a climax. We are living in a time when the worst news from the four corners of the earth can travel around the Earth at the speed of light with the advent of internet, satelites and global communications. Think about 911 and how that changed our lives forever. One day we all get up go to work everything is normal and in a blink of an eye everything changed.

Think about what we are facing right now with a virus that has taken hundreds of thousands of lives and there is tension in the public squares.

Think about how all across the U.S. a healthy thing like going to church and communing with other believers where common but now there are many governors and mayors across the US that are trying to make it a criminal offence. Ladies and gentlemen we are living in uncommon times. and it is a time for uncommon Christians, that used to be common back in years past.

But today is not about all the evils that we see of the world. Thanks to Gods word we know that before the King returns Earth will be at its darkest. Think about this though, the darkest hour of the Night is the hour right before the dawn.

PROGRESS THRU TO THE DARKNESS GETTING DARKER JUST MEANS THE KINGS GETTING CLOSER

THE KING IS RETURNING. The First time he came he came in subtlety, the next time he comes will be suddenly and forcefully. The First time He came as a Lamb but the next time he comes it will be as a Lion. The Devil and the Greatest military might of the Earth will be gathered together to stop his return but it will be trying to dissuade the USS GERALD FORD with a BB Gun.

Open your Bible to Revelation 5

Let me give you one thiong that Studying the book of Revelation will do for you

It will Bring a sence to our suffering and Stability in chaotic times

In Revelation 1 John sees the Glorified jesus. His Hair white as wool, His eyes like a burning fire, His Wardrobe contains the royal regalia The King of Kings, and a Golden Sash of a the Final Judge. His countenance is like the Sun in its strength and when he speaks it is with the force of a hurricane. And later we will find that when He sits on the throne to judge the nation the small and the great alike will flee from his presence and beg the mountains to hide them from his wrath.

NOW WE WILL SEE THE coronation of the King

Revelation 5 ESV

1 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. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And 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.” 6 And 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. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And 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. 9 And 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, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Jesus Alone is Worthy

Revelation 5:1–4 ESV

1 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. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.

Now the scene is set in Heaven, things are about to progress once this event take place. Because This scroll and its seals will set off a chain of events that will rattle the earth to the core. There are Seven seals on this scroll and in the next chapter we will learn that these seals are a series of unavoidable doom for the earth.

THE SCROLL

Now who is the one sitting on the Throne. Well this is the Ancient of Days which is the Title given of Him in the Book of Daniel. It is one of the few times in Scripture where we see a vision of God the Father. And He is the One holding this Scroll.

Now the question is what exactly is this scroll. Well the Scroll is a type of Title deed to the Earth. Remember the number seven, numbers have meaning in Revelation. And it is the number for God’s perfect Spiritual and Holy Nature. Now notice that that it has been sealed with Seven Seals and a word from a mighty angel goes forth, “Who is worthy To open the Scroll and its seals and John becins to weep bitterly, like snot flowing deep groaning type of cry. Because at first there are no takers, None of the Holy Angels are found worthy, not one pious relgious good man on earth is found worthy, and no one among the dead in all of human history is worthy enough to open the scroll.

The Scroll is the title deed of the Earth and it was originally given to Adam, but when Adam forfeted His right Satan Usurped his dominion.

Unveiling the End Times in Our Time: The Triumph of the Lamb in Revelation Chapter 8

though, a man would foolishly lose his possession, or he would become poor and have to sell it. In times like this, God provided a way that the man's possession could be restored. There had to be a kinsman-redeemer—someone related and who was wealthy enough to pay the price. Leviticus 25:25 says, “If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold

And John is weeping because no one is found worthy. In his mind is there no one that can free the earth from its bondage. Is there no one that can redeem the unfathomable suffering of this war torn world.

Now you need to understand something, that at this moment the devil is still the unworthy tyrant of the Earth. That is why there is so much sadness and suffering in this world. Because a phony but malevolent King. And bewhind the Kingdoms of the world stands the Kingdom of Darkness. That is the reason Jesus did not attempt to argue with the devil when He tempted Christ in the desert and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and told Jesus if he would just bow down and worship him he would give him all these kingdoms, the devil said all these kingdoms had been delivered to him. And here we have the Apostle john weeping, saying to himself is there no one that can defeat the devil is there no one that can make sense out of our suffering. Has the devil really won

Revelation 5:5 ESV

5 And 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.”

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah He has conquered. He alone is worthy. Jesus is not a good way to get to heaven, he is not a right way to heaven, He is the Only way to heaven

Behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

HE IS WORTHY!!

Revelation 5:6 ESV

6 And 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.

1. HE IS WORTHY BECAUSE OF HIS Deity

So one of the elders said weep no more, Behold the Lion of te Tribe of Judah has conquered and When he turns to Look instead of seeing a lion He says He sees a lamb.,

But this is not ordinary Lamb. No this word for lamb is not just the ordinary lamb, but the word that is used for a little pet Lamb

It is standing as though it had been slain. Yeah The Devil thought he had the W clinched when Jesus died on that cross. But at God’s weakest moment he destroyed the devil at His most powerful.

7 horns and 7 eyes

Again remember that numbers matter in Revelation , and the number seven is God’s number. It signifies his spiritual perfection.

Horns speak of Power- The Theological word is omnipotence- All power

in the Old Testament and in Revelation. And He has seven horns. Whats does this mean.... Nothing but Jesus is the Almighty. Jesus is all powerful.

Eyes- This speaks of His all Knowing wisdom- the theological word is omniscience He knows everything there is to know

Seven Spirits of God- This is just a way to speak about the Holy Spirit- Omnipresence

Behold the Lion of Judah, but when John looks he sees a little Lamb. But this Little Lamb displays all the attributes of Almighty God.

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

A child was given - a kinsman redeemer that came to redeem all that Adam had lost. But the Kinsmen Redeemer happened to be God himself,

He is worthy because of His deity

HE IS WORTHY because of Calvary

John turns to see a lion and and instead see a lamb, little pet Lamb. But this Lamb had been slain.

Question why did He have to be slain. Because Adam when He recieved the Title deed to the Earth there was one.

Now the interesting thing is that the Rabbis used to get together and have these theological debates about the Messiah. There are over 340 prophecies about the Messiah. But these prophecies would often times seeminly contradict themselves about what the messiah would look like.

You had the Warrior messiah Prophecies like in Daniel 7 where the Son of man comes on the clouds of the Shekinah glory of God with Great power. Demolishing all of the enemies of God. Or Psalm 2 where it warns the nations to kiss the son lest he devour him in His wrath, and He will break the nations with a rod of iron,

Then you had scriptures like Isaiah 53 of the Suffering servant. He had no form or majesty that we should look at him. He was despised and rejected by men. He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for iniquities, and the chasetisment that brought us peace was upon him.

In one scripture he was coming on the clouds on a white stallion, Others he was coming lowly sitting on a donkey. They settled this dispute by saying He will come on a white stallion if we are found worthy. He will come riding a donkey if we are unworthy. They saw these scriptures not as contradictory but either/ or, what they didn’t know is there were two comings. The first He would comly lowely and humble and die on a cross to defeat their greatest enemies which are sin and death. He would die upon a cross. the LKinsmen redeemer. The second person of the Godhead would wrap himself him human weakness, Hide his shekinah clory behind human skin, and become the Lamb that takes away the sin of the World. The first time he came as a lamb, the next time he will come as a lion.

And John turns to see a lion and instaed sees a lamb.

He is worthy because of Calvary

Revelation 5:7–8 ESV

7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And 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.

He is worthy because of Calvary… Now all of heaven worships this one who was found worthy. The one that purchased back the world and the people in it by becoming one of them and laying down his life. M

Now notice here there are 24 elders that fall down and worship him. What is 24 all about. Well half of 24 is 12. What you have here are the 24 representatives of humanity. They make up God’s goverment, You had 12 sons of Jacob, they represent the Old Testament saints. Then Jesus had 12 apostles. You have 12 from the Old Testament and 12 from the new testament. AND THEY REPRESENT ALL OF REDEEMED HUMANITY.

1. Listen we are working now for crowns. How you serve and love God now will turn out your reward, and if you are worthy enough to recieve a crown, you know what you’ll do with it? You will cast it before His feet. But I wonder of there arent some here today, you don’t have a crown waiting, I’ve got good news, you can. In order to get a crown you have to first bend the knee

Revelation 5:5:9-12

He was piuerced for our trangressions. the