The Lion And The Lamb

Revelation 5:1-14

When we look at all of the animals in the world, two which we find to be quite the opposite of each other are a lion and a lamb.  A lamb is typically meek and gentle. It is also quite helpless, and needs a shepherd to guide and protect it. With virtually no defenses of its own, if left alone in the wild it is completely at the mercy of every predator.  It can’t even run very fast, especially if its coat goes unshorn for very long. On the other hand the lion is one of the most powerful and majestic animals on earth. Its mighty roar in the wild strikes fear into everyone who hears it.  The lion is known as the king of beasts, and has been a symbol of royalty since ancient times. Two opposite creatures, and yet in our Scripture today from the Book of Revelation we see Jesus described as being both a Lion and a Lamb. Let’s look into the passage and see why this is so.

As the passage begins, John’s vision has brought him into heaven, and he sees a scroll that has been sealed with seven seals (vs. 1).  This scroll contains a full account of what God has in store for mankind in the future, and God’s plan for the end of the world. A powerful angel seeks to find someone who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll containing this information.  Who is worthy to hold eternal life and everlasting condemnation in his hands? (vs. 4). Only the Lord Jesus Christ. No one else! Only Jesus is worthy to open this scroll containing God’s righteous judgement.

It is at this moment that the angel instructs John to look and behold Who is worthy to open the scroll.  He tells John to look at the Lion of Judah (vs. 5). As John turns to look, though, he doesn’t see a Lion. Instead he sees a Lamb (vs. 6), the opposite of what he would have expected to see. Jesus is both the Lion and the Lamb.  The Lion symbolizes His power and authority. The Lamb symbolizes His submission to the Father’s will. This Lamb has seven horns and seven eyes.  The horns symbolize power. Eyes see everything and have all knowledge, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Seven is a number of completeness. Jesus has complete power, knowledge, and wisdom.  Jesus may be a lamb, but He is not weak.

He, alone, is worthy to break the seals.  He led a life of perfect obedience to the Father.  He died for our sins, and rose again with power and authority over evil and death.  Christ the Lion is victorious because of what Christ the Lamb has done. In the Old Testament lambs were sacrificed to atone for sins.  The Lamb of God died as a final sacrifice for our sins. Jesus prevails when no one else can. As the Lamb He took our sins and died for them.  As the Lion He is coming as the conquering warrior and Messiah, who will bring justice to earth.

Next John sees some golden bowls of incense (vs. 8).  Incense is burned, producing a pleasant aroma in the smoke which rises upwards.  The Scripture here describes this incense as our prayers. Prayer can bring about cataclysmic changes in heaven and on earth, and can turn any situation around.  Our prayers are like bowls full of incense, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

Next we read of a song of praise which the saints of the Lord in heaven sing to Him (vs. 9-13).  They are praising God for dying for our sins and purchasing us with His Blood. They praise Him for gathering us into His kingdom, letting us reign with Him, and making us priests.  These saints gathered and praising the Lord are from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation (vs. 9). God’s message of salvation and eternal life are not limited to a specific culture, race, or country. Anyone who comes to God in repentance and faith is accepted by Him. Jesus welcomes all people.

Sometimes people get afraid when they think about the future.  With all of the terrible things happening all around the world, whether locally in our own neighborhood, or globally.  However, as believers we don’t need to fear. Jesus, not Satan, holds the future. Jesus is in control, and He alone is worthy to set into motion the events of the last days of history.