The Lion and the Lamb: A Guide to the Book of RevelationНамуна

The Lion and the Lamb

And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 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.”Revelation 5:2-5 NIV

To read Revelation wisely, we remember that Jesus is King. This book is the revelation of Jesus, by Jesus, about Jesus. And here, in chapter 5, we’re powerfully reminded of that. Further, to read this book faithfully, we remember that context is everything. John wrote this letter to the church to provide encouragement and a challenge to stay faithful to King Jesus. John’s visions are full of Old Testament images and prophecies that Jesus has brought to pass, or soon will—but often by means we wouldn’t expect.

In the introduction to chapter 5, we are told of a scroll that has been sealed. This scroll represents the Law and the Prophets. The Law refers to God’s commands, intended to help us relate to Him and represent Him to others. The Prophets were people who carried a message from God to His people. They brought warnings of what would happen if God’s people didn’t live up to His Law, and they also brought promises of hope and restoration. They foretold of the Messiah and His mission to make all things new.

In John’s vision, no one is found worthy to open this scroll. There’s no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth who has brought to completion God’s requirements in the Law and God’s promises through the Prophets.

No one.

No one, except One. One, John hears, who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root (descendant) of David.

These are Old Testament descriptions of the Messiah, the Savior King—Jesus! These descriptions paint Him as an avenger of His people and as a warrior who has triumphed. But, when John turns to look …

He sees a lamb looking like it had been slain.

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. …

Revelation 5:6 NIV

There was a contrast between what John heard and expected to see and what he actually saw.

Interestingly, that was often the case when Jesus walked the earth—and is still often the case today.

The Jewish people living under Roman occupation heard about a Messiah who could overthrow kingdoms and lead His people out of captivity. So, that’s what they expected to see. Instead, they saw Jesus crucified at the hands of the very same people they wanted Him to overthrow.

We often hear about a Jesus who is either all about grace or all about truth. He’s either accepting of everything and condemning of nothing, or He’s ridiculously exclusive and narrow-minded. But, what we see through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is a picture of what it looks like to be full of grace and full of truth. We see in Jesus that these are two sides of the same coin called love. Because with grace, Jesus meets us in our mess, and with truth, He calls us to the more that we were created for.

He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 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. 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. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:7-10 NIV

The kingdom Jesus came to take down was the kingdom of darkness, and His plan was always to lead His people out of captivity—our captivity to sin and death. He purchased us with His blood and brought us into a new and better kingdom.

Through His sacrificial death, Jesus brought to completion God’s requirements in the Law and God’s promises through the Prophets.

He is worthy!

As we walk through this book, John continues to use symbolism to demonstrate that there’s often a contrast between what people expected Jesus would do and what Jesus actually did and will do. We’re invited to lay down our preconceived notions and begin to see Jesus for who He really is—the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Lamb who was slain. The One who triumphed for us with sacrificial love, and the only one in all of heaven and earth who is worthy of our worship.

When we surrender our expectations of what Jesus should do and trust in who He is, our weeping will turn to worship and our despair to unwavering hope.

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!”

Revelation 5:13 NIV

Our Father, thank You for Jesus! Jesus, You are worthy. You showed us what love really looks like. Thank You for meeting us in our mess with your incredible grace and for calling us to more by revealing the truth about where we’ve fallen short of who we were always intended to be. Thank You for conquering death by laying down Your life for me. Help me live a life that reflects Your love and makes others want to be part of Your kingdom, too. In Jesus’ name, amen.