The Lamb of God in Revelation

Isn’t it thrilling to read books or see movies where the good guy saves the day?

Like me, do you remember watching episodes of Superman? The sole survivor who rocketed from the planet Krypton, the orphaned infant was taken in by a Kansas farm couple and raised to have a strong moral compass. As an adult, mild-mannered Clark Kent resolved to use his superhuman abilities for moral good alone. During times of trouble, he transformed from a journalist into a super-hero, leaping tall buildings in a single bound and flying through the air to rescue the innocent.

Jesus, on the other hand, is beyond compare to any superhero. The Son of God came to earth to establish the New Covenant through His death and resurrection.

Have you ever contrasted our humble Savior with the same Lord who is glorified in heaven? Truly amazing. Let’s take a look.

Christ’s appearance to John

Christ first revealed Himself to the Apostle John on the island of Patmos in a vision amid seven golden lampstands:

…in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.  In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength ~ Revelation 1:13-16 NASB.

Jesus describes Himself

Have you ever gathered up Jesus’s own words about who He is and pondered their greatness? Jesus instructed John to write a letter to each of the seven churches of that day. Preceding each letter, Jesus depicts Himself in various ways.

As…

1. The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (Revelation 2:1).

2. The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life (Revelation 2:8).

3. The One who has the sharp two-edged sword (Revelation 2:12).

4. The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze (Revelation 2:18).

5. He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars (Revelation 3:1).

6. He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens (Revelation 3:7).

7. The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God (Revelation 3:14).

WOW. What a glorious glimpse into the greatness of God’s only Son. Such powerful words we can also offer back to Him in prayer.

Jesus in the Throne Room of God

Chapters 4 and 5 are truly two of the most awesome in all the Bible because we get a glimpse into God’s very throne room. Wouldn’t you think that holy place would be bathed in austere silence? What took me by surprise is that it’s busy and noisy, full of the glory of God.

Amid the flashes of lightning and peals of thunder sit seven lampstands burning with fire. God’s throne sits in the center of a sea of crystal, around which are four living creatures, full of eyes all around, who continually shout praises to God: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come’ ~ Revelation 4:8 NASB.

The living creatures are joined by twenty-four elders who cast their crowns before Him and say, ‘Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created’ ~ Revelation 4:11 NASB.

The Book with the seven seals

Something very important regarding the Lamb happens in Chapter 5.

God holds out a book sealed with seven seals, but since there is no one worthy to open the book, John weeps bitterly. Then one of the elders tells John, ‘Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals’ ~ Revelation 5:5 NASB.

Jesus is pictured as the slain Lamb of God who comes to receive the book from God’s hand:  He is a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth ~ Revelation 5:6 NASB.

As the only one qualified to open the sealed book, there is mighty worship and praise in heaven for the Lamb. Myriads of angels and every living creature in heaven, on the earth, and under the sea bless and glorify His Name.

The Second Coming of Christ

Revelation concludes with a most powerful image of Christ as He returns to earth to destroy the beast, false prophet, and all their armies at the Battle of Armageddon.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.  He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS’ ~ Revelation 19:11-16 NASB.

What a glorious description of the conquering Christ, and one we will see with our own eyes in the near future.

‘I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’ The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost ~ Revelation 22:16-17 NASB.

Today let’s sing a praise and worship song from heaven. Let’s join together with voices in heaven and on earth, under the sea and on the sea, and all things in them.

 To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and power forever and ever ~ Revelation 5:13 NASB.