The Lion and the Lamb
For Meditation
Every day, we live with questions we would love to have the answers to. Some we all share— When will the pandemic end? Who will win the election and what will the effects be on our country? Some are personal— What will the medical tests reveal? Will I get back to full health again? Can my marriage get healthy again? Underneath these day-to-day questions are more fundamental ones that we don’t always get in touch with. Why is the world as messed up as it is? Will we ever see progress toward greater justice and peace in the world? Can I ever overcome some of the things that are messed up in me— my anger and impatience, my fears and anxieties, my addictions, my screw-ups in relationships?
This is what John brings with him into the presence of God when he sees God on the throne possessing a scroll that is sealed by seven seals. After a thorough search, no one can open it. John weeps uncontrollably because he expects that the things that are in the scroll would reveal the things God knows that could answer the things he craves to know. He weeps because he despairs that he will not be shown truths that will help him make sense of the world or if there is hope for answers to his questions and longing for things broken to be healed and made right.
Take some time to read chapter 5. The tension and despair John feels are lifted as he is told that the Lion of Judah, The Root of David can open the scroll. This one will make know what John longs to know. These two descriptions would immediately be known by a Jewish person as Old Testament descriptions of the Messiah. (Look at Genesis 49:8–12 to learn more about the Lion of Judah and Isaiah 11:1–11 for the Root of David). The Lion and Root present a powerful king who will defeat all God’s enemies and all the peoples of the earth will become obedient to him. He will usher in a reign of justice, righteousness and peace.
Expecting a powerful Lion, John sees a Lamb, looking like he has been slain, who comes and takes the scroll to open it. The transition should shock us as it did John. This is the amazing message of the gospel. God’s sovereign rule over all is accomplished through suffering and death. God’s enemies are brought to obedience, the earth brought to righteousness, justice, and peace through the death of the Lion— a sacrificed Lamb.
All heaven responds in a crescendo of three new songs of worship. Joy and celebration are joined as this revelation of the one who brings salvation and who alone provides all the answers to our deepest longings is seen. We are called by the scene, along with John, to stop weeping and join in the new song. Worship does not fix everything, but it puts all things into proper perspective. Centering on adoring the Lamb who was slain and now lives to open the book, leads us to follow in the Lamb’s way. It is the path of serving and suffering, taking up our cross to follow Him. He saves the world through humility and death. We as His followers can partner with Him in the great work of redeeming the whole world by taking the same path.
Revelation 5
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and
people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom
and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Note: We will not be going through the Revelation series at our outdoor services. Instead, we’ll be looking at short stories about Jesus from the Gospel accounts. Keep up with this Revelation sermon series by listening here.