Revelation 5:1-8
The Lion and The Lamb
It’s as if the curtain fell after Chapter Four and the next scene opens as the main character appears at the throne: Jesus Christ. The Father has a seven-sealed scroll in His authoritative right hand ready for opening and releasing its contents, however, there is only One who is worthy to break it open and begin the process of the final days on earth as we know it.
An angel cries out for the One who is worthy, the One who is empowered to ‘weigh in’ on the balance-scale of mercy or judgment but John can’t see Him and, therefore, is overcome with grief. When will we be released from this sin-infested world that’s falling further and further away from our Creator?
“Have no fear,” comforted an elder, “the One, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, our Nike Conqueror is here!”
We’ve seen the attributes of the powerful, protective, and crouching lion reflected in Chapter Four now ready to be King but this Lion is from the Tribe of Judah. What’s that about? Briefly, Judah was the fourth-born son of Jacob, a sinner like the first three but he was different. Gen. 43:8-10 shows us a unique quality of Judah; he offered himself as a substitute in exchange for his younger brother’s safety: that’s the lower story. It was an effective foreshadow of Jesus, our Divine Substitute who exchanged His life in place of ours on the cross, the upper story: He is the Lion from the Tribe of Judah.
Secondly, Jesus descended from the bloodline or Root of King David, also from the land of Judah reminding us of His eternal Kingship (Gen. 49:8-12; Matt. 2:2, 37).
Thirdly, He’s the Nike Conqueror who, in spite of outward conditions, is victorious under any circumstances in the world.
Lastly, the image John saw was a slaughtered Lamb ready to take the ‘horns of authority’ accompanied by the Holy Spirit to begin the process of moving toward His return; the Trinity is now positioned for the end times. The lamb was God’s picture of an innocent substitute (Gen. 22:18, a foreshadow), and the only blood that satisfied His divine justice. Jesus is the final Lamb of God whose blood met the standards for His promised redemption.
Both the four living creatures and the 24 elders join in worship, pictured as a harp, and prayer, pictured as golden bowls of burning incense; these produce a sweet aroma to God, a wonderful combination for us as well.
This is the final, foundational chapter that prepares us for the remainder of this prophetic vision; the seals of judgment will be time-released. As we meditate on His character described in these first five chapters rest assured that He’s all we need for anything in life: He is the sovereign King, and Nike God who not only adores us but will rescue us from any harm.
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