The Lion And The Lamb

One of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah . . . has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb . . .   Revelation 5:5-6

The one who is able to bring the purpose of God to pass is described as both a lion and a lamb. No single image can describe his glory.

This person now becomes the focus of the whole vision as he emerges from the dazzling light around the throne. His origin is not with us, on this side of the sea of glass. He comes from the inscrutable light of the throne.

Although the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” emerges from the throne of God, he is identified with one of the tribes of Israel. John is told, “He has won the victory,” yet he is depicted as a lamb with its throat cut. A slaughtered lamb spoke of sacrifice, so John was seeing that the one who emerged from God’s throne entered human history as a Jew and laid down his life as a sacrifice.

This Lamb bears the marks of death, but he is very much alive. Standing triumphant in the presence of God with seven horns, the symbol of perfect power, and seven eyes, a picture of complete knowledge, he does what no other person in heaven, on earth, or under the earth could do. He approaches the throne of God and takes the scroll from the hand of the Almighty (see Revelation 5:7).

Then all of heaven erupts in “a new song” about Jesus Christ, who is able to open the seals and execute the will of God because of his death and resurrection (see Revelation 5:9). That’s why we read later in Revelation that there is no more sea (see 21:1). For those who are purchased by Christ’s blood, there is no longer thunder and lightning coming from God’s throne, and nothing can separate them from his presence.

Christ has not yet come in power and glory to destroy his enemies and take his rightful place as King on earth, but the scroll is in his hand; the future is secure. Every one of God’s purposes will be accomplished through him.

For further reading, see Revelation 4