The Lamb

"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.' Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne." (Revelation 5:5-7)

One of the elders now approaches John to comfort him, and to tell him that there is One Who can redeem the universe; there is One Who is worthy and Who has bought back mankind from slavery. This is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, the One Who has won the victory.

The tribe of Judah is the kingly tribe. King Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. However David and his descendants who ruled in Jerusalem were of the tribe of Judah. Jesus was a descendant of King David.

Jesus is also the creator of David. Jesus presented this paradox to the Pharisees during His ministry. Matthew chapter twenty two verses forty one to forty six read, “Now while the Pharisees were still assembled there, Jesus asked them a question, saying, 'What do you think of the Christ? Whose Son is He?' They said to Him, 'The Son of David.' He said to them, 'How is it then that David, under the influence of the (Holy) Spirit, calls Him Lord, saying, “The Lord said to My Lord, 'Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet?'” If then David thus calls Him, “Lord,” how is He His Son?' And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day did any one venture or dare to question Him.” (Amplified Bible)

Jesus, being born of Mary, is the Son of David. Jesus, being God in the flesh, is the Creator and Lord of David.

Jesus won the victory over hell, sin, Satan and the grave through His death and resurrection. He is able to redeem man because He paid for the sin of the whole world. So, He is worthy and able to claim the Title Deed of the universe.

John, wiping the tears from his eyes, looks up and before the throne is the Lamb of God, representing Christ. The Lamb is an important figure in the book of Revelation. It is used twenty eight times.

This Lamb, although alive, carries on it the wounds of death. This symbolizes the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ. It seems that for eternity, Christ will carry in His body, the marks of His death. When we see Jesus, there will still be nail prints in his hands and feet, and a spear wound on his side.

This lamb also has seven horns. Horns in the Bible represent power. So this Lamb has great power. In fact, He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

This Lamb has seven eyes, which we are told represent the seven Spirits of God, the Holy Spirit in His fullness. The Holy Spirit acts as the eyes and hands of Christ on this earth.

The Lamb takes the scroll from the hand of God. Jesus is ready to claim His inheritance, to take possession of that which is rightfully His. This will be fully accomplished when He opens all the seals.