Sunday, 4 July 2021
THE LAMB OF GOD
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… (Revelation 5:6).
When we get to heaven, we won’t find the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit sitting on different thrones; we’ll only find One seated in the fullness of God on the throne, whose Name is Jesus. He’s the lamb at the centre of the throne (Revelation 7:17). He’s the outward expression of the Godhead. Colossians 2:9 says, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” However, looking at our opening verse, one could ask: if Jesus is seated on the throne, who then is the Lamb that stood in the midst of the throne?
In studying the Book of Revelation, you have to understand that prophetic visions and revelations are often given and communicated with symbolisms. This was no different with John the writer of this book. The Lamb here was symbolic.
John didn’t say he saw a man, but a Lamb, which typifies Jesus Christ. This was symbolic of the Father’s relationship with Jesus; it was characteristic of Jesus’ attitude and humility. We learn more about His humility in Philippians 2:6-9: “Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained… He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience toz the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name” (AMPC).
Remember the words of the Prophet Isaiah, which also highlights His humility and obedience: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
Jesus is the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8) for the sins of all men. John the Baptist called Him the Lamb of God in John 1:29, and Peter in his epistle says the same in 1 Peter 1:19. Now, God has enthroned us with Him in the heavenly realms. We’re seated with Him (Ephesians 2:6), and through us, He demonstrates the exceeding riches of His grace, glory and power. Blessed be His Name forever!
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank you, for the Lord Jesus paid the ultimate price for sin, which man had incurred without a means of settlement. Now, through the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, sacrificed for us, I’ve been set at liberty to live the triumphant and victorious life in Christ, enthroned with Him in the heavenly realms, and seated with Him in a place of power, authority and dominion. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY:
John 1:29; John 1:36
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 17:1-15 & Job 3-5
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 6:31-38 & Deuteronomy 32