Marvel at The Lamb of God | Revelation 5:6-7 | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

Let's come together now to the book of Revelation in chapter five, and place your finger there at verse six. Revelation chapter five and verse six. For the third time in Revelation chapter five, John is going to tell us that he saw something. The first instance was in verse one when he reports that he saw a scroll in the right hand of God. The second occasion is in verse two when he says that he saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals.

And for the third time, he will say that he saw something or more specifically someone and that is going to be the verse of our focus today. It's found in verse six, but we'll read verse six and verse seven. And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a lamb standing as though it had been slain with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. Father, I gladly confess that I need you.

We need you. And we think of the words of the apostle Paul who said to the Corinthians that he did not come preaching to them in human wisdom or with eloquence. He did not come with plausible words, but with a demonstration of the spirit and of power, that the faith of his hearers would not rest in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God. Lord, you must speak today. You must be heard.

And we just ask that through every weakness, your glory would shine. What a great task it is to speak about the lamb of God. And so by the help of your holy spirit, may it be faithfully done in a way where Christ will be more real to each of us than anything else in this life. We need you, Lord. We ask for your help now.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. You know, there's a reason why we didn't continue reading further in this chapter. I thought initially we were gonna finish this chapter today, but then I realized that what you find in verse six is just too glorious. The details about the Lamb of God are just so fascinating to just simply gloss over.

Everything that you and I will find beyond verse seven will be the adoring response of the entire universe to this pivotal moment in this heavenly vision. And we will look at those verses in the coming weeks because they have much to tell us about the kind of worship that Jesus Christ deserves. But today, we're gonna do one simple thing. We're just gonna behold Christ. Because this is who John is seeing in this vision, Jesus Christ.

And though the wonder and the splendor of Jesus are infinite. We've been granted in this brief passage at least four amazing remarkable attributes concerning his nature. You and I are are going to leave here with at least four strong reminders of who we just sang to, who we trust in, who we believe that we are going to see one day. Today, we're just going to behold Christ, And that is no small thing. People need Jesus.

You know, it was Philip who went down to Samaria in Acts eight verse five, and one of the most amazing revivals breaks out in Samaria. But in that verse, you know what we're told? He went down to Samaria and preached to them the Christ. Jesus. Simply Jesus.

I believe in this day and age, we need to recover the simple preaching of Christ because that message alone can do miracles in people's lives. And it's not just for unbelievers. Oh, we need to know more about Jesus. And so in verse six alone, there are four things that should move us. And the first thing that I want us to consider about the lamb is his humility.

Did you pick up on the meekness of Christ in what we just read? Now remember, before this, John the Apostle was weeping because no one was found worthy to open this scroll, the scroll that held the end times program for the earth. And an elder said, John, weep no more. There is one found who is worthy, but he describes him in a very particular way. He is the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David.

Now, here's the thing. If I'm told to behold a lion, what would you expect to see? A lion. It's not complicated. A lion like figure.

But after John dries his eyes and looks more closely at what he was called to to see, he doesn't find a lion. He finds a lamb. Now that's strange to me because hopefully you remember last week, we confirmed that this identity of Christ as the lion of the tribe of Judah is exclusively found and introduced in the book of Revelation. Why? Because it perfectly correlates with his mission at the second coming.

He's coming with kingly authority. He is coming to take over. So then, why is that label so short lived? The moment that we are told about the lion, we come back to a familiar image of the lamb. Well, evidently as much as the Holy Spirit in the book of Revelation wants us to anticipate the soon coming lion.

He also never wants us to forget that he is the lamb. So much so, that the title lamb appears a total of 28 times in the book of Revelation. 28 times. You would think that the lion label would be emphasized, but no. It's the lamb.

To be always reminded about the lamb. You would think again that there would be more to say. Why come back to that? Because as we move through the book of Revelation and we witness the victories, the triumphs, and the final redemption, unfolding in the final lap of human history. It's as though God the Holy Spirit wants to continually remind us that all of that is only made possible because of Christ's sacrifice.

His triumph ultimately came because of his sacrifice. That's the message of this manifestation. Our Lord already won the victory and he did so through his selfless love. He did so by laying down his life. He did so by becoming the Passover lamb.

That's what John was supposed to see and that's what he is translating to us. Now, hopefully, we understand that God being described as a lion is not totally new. It's actually found in the old testament on more than one occasion. You don't have to turn to these references. Just listen carefully.

In Hosea eleven ten, we read in Hosea eleven ten, they shall go after the Lord. He will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west. In Amos chapter three verse eight, the lion has roared. Who will not fear?

The Lord God has spoken. Who can but prophesy? So the people of God are familiar with the imagery of God being like a lion, but here's what so startling. That God who describes himself in this way, depicting his ultimate authority, his ultimate power, his ultimate dominion, would one day in human history enter into this world and take on the role of a lamb with all vulnerability, with all gentleness. What a striking concept that these Hebrews and these people who were set apart by covenant with God, who understood their God to be this roaring lion, this mighty beast, would also visit them and become a lamb.

And you think about that and you realize that the gospel show us just that. How this lion of a god willingly subjected himself to the handling of rotten wicked men who thought that they can do as they please with him. So they arrest him. They blaspheme him. They slap him.

They spit on him. They pull them wherever they think that they can drag him. They slash him. They pound on him. And eventually, they crucify him.

All the while, he chooses to be like a lamb led to the slaughter, and like sheep before its shears remain silent. How? Why? To save rotten, wicked men and sinners, sinners like us forever and ever. It was through his humility.

It's through his lowliness. It's through his surrender that he ultimately conquered. So you see, John learned through this vision that the humility of Christ would never and should never be forgotten. But more than that, it's going to be the humility of Christ that will be the impetus of our endless praise and glory. Yes, we're coming to the end of all things.

We wanna see the king. We wanna see the lion. But early in the book of Revelation, we are reminded, don't forget that he is the lamb. And don't forget that all these things that will transpire, all these awesome acts of sovereign power ultimately flow from a humble savior who succeeded two thousand years ago and made everything that you and I will enjoy possible. The humility of Jesus Christ, which leads us to our second glorious characteristic of Christ found here and that is his preeminence.

So we looked at his humility, but look at his preeminence. Come back to verse six, and between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a lamb standing. Listen, the description of Christ's location is is is not void of purpose. It's intentional. The sense that you get from this one detail is that Christ seems to be emerging as the centerpiece of God's throne room.

The spotlight now is falling on him and we know this very well, but in case someone is not aware, Jesus Christ is and will be the object of our eternal praise. And we're being prepared for that by this vision here. Christ is going to be the theme of heaven. It was a Puritan who once wrote, take away Christ. And what?

Heaven is but a blessed prison. A palace of silence and emptiness. I am no Puritan, but I will add to that. Take away Christ and heaven will be dark. Take away Christ and heaven will become cold.

Take away Christ and heaven will be utterly lifeless. And if you think that's an exaggeration, I base that case from a realization of scripture itself. Let me give you an example. We're in Revelation five, go to Revelation 21 and here you have a chapter that describes the new heaven and the new earth that will follow the final judgment. And notice what is said here in this one verse of Revelation 21 verse 23.

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it for the glory of God gives its light and its lamp is what? The lamb. So just as a lamp is the instrument that holds and gives off light, Christ is the chosen vessel to contain and radiate the glory of God in the new heaven and the new earth. Right? Isn't that what a lamp does?

It holds light. It illumines. Christ the lamb will be the lamb as he shines forth perfectly the glory of God, and just as the sun is essential for sustaining habitation and survival on our planet. Christ will be the central source of life and light in the world to come. So much so that in this new world, you won't need the sun, s u n, because we have the sun, s o n.

And just as this world as we know it would be stripped of life if you took away the sun for a moment, take away Christ and you strip heaven of its glory. He is preeminent. He is central. He's the heartbeat of eternity. Do you believe that Christ is truly that prominent, that important in the world to come?

Oh, it's quite possible that future listeners who see this and hear this will think, yeah, the Lord Jesus at best is like an exalted creature, the most exalted creature. Or perhaps, he is an important part of God's redemptive plan, surely, but to say that he is the preeminent one, of heaven, The object of every creature's love and honor? Let me ask you this. Have you consider how he differs in this text that we're reading? The the only verse that we're looking at today and how he compares to the other participants and the actors of this heavenly vision and their response to the throne.

In other words, if you just scale back and you look at how the four living creatures react to the sight and the sounds of God's throne, and then follow that with the the 24 elders, and then compare it with Christ, you can't help but see that he's different. Let me show you. Go to Revelation four and look here at verse nine quickly. Remember, Revelation four and five is the same vision, but notice what it said here. And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne.

What do they do? They worship. They pour out their praise. They break out in song. What do you find in the next verse in verse 10?

The 24 elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever, and rightfully so. But then now as John's gaze is fixed on this lamb, he realizes that there is a different posture that he possesses and it is incredible. What does the lamb do? Look back at Revelation five verse seven. We read it together at the beginning of the message.

And he, that's the lamb, and he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. With incomparable dignity, majesty, and prominence, Christ advances toward the throne of the Father without explanation, without making a plea, without asking permission, He reaches out and He grabs the scroll in the hand of the ancient of days, and takes it unto himself. Who is this king of glory? Who is this lamb? Why is he not siding with the four living creatures and joining them in worship?

Why does he not join the 24 elders and fall down on his face? I'll tell you why. Because whoever this lamb is is worthy of worship. He is the object of adoration. He is the one who shares in essence with the father, the son of God himself who approaches the throne of the father with such strength and boldness because it's his right.

And the father doesn't reprimand him. The father doesn't stop him. The father gladly lets go of his grip and gives Him that scroll. Jesus, the preeminent one. He is the center of heaven.

And listen, if He's the center of heaven, then He is worthy to be preeminent in your life and mine. If He is the preeminent one in glory, then He must be the exalted one in the church. And here's what I take from this. If Christ is who he is in that world, if we make him number one, listen carefully, if he is number one in your life, if he is number one in this ministry, then we will get a taste of heaven on earth. Only then.

You put him in any other place, you put him in the background, you put him to the side. If he's the piece of the pie in your life, it's never gonna work. He's everything. He must be. He's incomparable.

He has no rival. He stands alone. He's in his own category. And until you and I arrive to that conviction, you will never know the fragrance of heaven in your life. We will never know the presence of God in our meetings.

Heaven shows us where Christ belongs. And in your heart, it must be the same. Crown him Lord of all. Crown him King of Kings. Crown him with your greatest affection.

Crown him with all that is within you. He must be crowned as the preeminent one. For the four living creatures and 24 elders and the myriad of angels do so gladly. How dare we not do the same? We who have experienced redemption.

We who have known grace. We who have been washed in his blood. Do we dare put him in any other place in this life? No. That would be the crime of all crimes.

Such indifference to me is utter blasphemy. Such a thought should be enough fuel for you to break out of lukewarmness. To never be content with Christ not being all consuming in your life. He's in the middle of everything. But we come now to the third point, and in my opinion, this is the pinnacle of everything.

What we find here can surely bring us to this to our knees and end this service early. It's a sacrifice. We looked at his humility. We considered his preeminence. But thirdly, we consider now his sacrifice.

Look back again at verse six. And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a lamb. Wait. You were told about a lion. Yeah, but I see a lamb.

Why? It's a megaphone about Christ's humility, and now through his humility he has brought victory. And where is he standing? In between the throne, the four living creatures, among the elders? He's the centerpiece of heaven.

Thirdly, he's not just standing. John looks closer and look at the last part here or the second part at least. As though it had been slain. What a fascinating feature of this vision. We have here something that is familiar to us, I'm sure.

That Jesus Christ, two thousand years ago, he satisfied his duty and his role as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. That was accomplished two thousand years ago. But what is he doing in heaven? Bearing the marks of sacrifice and wounds and death itself. Wasn't that done away with?

Wasn't that accomplished? Aren't we moving on now? Aren't we supposed to see something else? Instead, what we find here is a vision, a symbolic depiction of Christ like a lamb who is freshly slaughtered and placed on the altar. Here's why.

Because the death of Christ was not only performed on earth, it is still being remembered and represented before the judgment seat of the father. Here's what I wanna say with this. What Jesus Christ did on the cross is not a fading memory in the mind of God. We find it here as vivid as an ever present reality in his sight. Do you see this?

Christ sacrifice is there. It's clear. It's real. It's ever present. And this vision, this part of the vision at least is for your confidence in mine.

It has to be because it testifies that even after thousands of years, what Jesus Christ has done in that single sacrifice on Calvary is still relevant and hasn't lost an ounce of power. He's still presented before the father as a slain lamb. In case that truth is not clear, remember that the lamb in this vision is what? Standing. It would make sense for a slain lamb to be on its side, lying there lifeless, but that's not what you find.

You find a paradox, a slain lamb standing. Why? Because, yes, he did die two thousand years ago, but he's alive. He's here. He's upright.

I saw a lamb standing. He's no longer dead. He is alive forevermore and the efficacy of his sacrifice is still capable of giving life. The one who was slain, who is alive now can and always give life. So here's what this means for the unbeliever who might be listening to this today.

Listen carefully. You can today, at this very moment with absolute confidence, cry out to God to save your soul, to be washed from every wrong that you've ever committed. And because of this slain lamb before the throne of God, you can know salvation. Because what he has done is still relevant and it's still applicable. It could be known and it could be applied to you now.

He is the living slain lamb. The blood still flows. It's still accessible. It still can be applied. But here's what this also means for the believer.

You and I have to rejoice in the supremacy of the new covenant. A slain lamb, that is that is a common thing for an Israelite. They've seen many slain lambs and bulls and goats, but one slain lamb that is standing and remains there never to be replaced, what a strange thing. Oh, if you need anything to give you energy to realize how you are privileged on this side of the cross, understand this, that you and I, when we sin and if we sin, don't have to fetch for a brand new animal and bring it before a temple. There is one lamb that is sufficient.

There is one lamb that we can appeal to. There is one who was slain and is forever enough for anything and everything that we do that breaks God's law, breaks his heart. The lamb who is before the throne will never ever lose its power. And that power for you Christian is able to sustain you until the end. It's a fountain of forgiveness that never runs dry.

It's something that you and I can continually bring our dirty feet to and be washed in. How great is this sacrifice? How much does it outshine even Solomon's temple with all its beauty and splendor? So next time you read the Old Testament and you read about the hundreds of thousands of things that were slain and slaughtered in order for their sins just to be covered for a moment, Let your heart leap with joy as you remember this one slain lamb who is eternally sufficient for you and I. Just one sacrifice.

No more. And here's what this means for our study in Revelation. There is only one who can save people from the terrible events that are described in that scroll. Remember what's in the scroll? Pretty much what we find in Revelation six onward.

And just as Israel was spared from calamity sweeping over Egypt, because they would take that Passover lamb and apply its blood on their doorpost. So applying the blood of this lamb can save you and I from the horrors and the judgments and the eternal consequences that this book promises will come to pass. What a glorious thought. Here you have the lamb who is going to take this scroll and this lamb is the only one who can save us from what's gonna happen when that scroll is broken. His sacrifice, a slain lamb standing, we finally come to the last point, and that is his power.

Notice what it said after we are told that he saw a lamb standing as though it had been slain. With seven horns and with seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Now, if you thought a slain lamb standing was strange, it only gets a little bit more cryptic. I've never seen I've seen a lamb being slain, a real lamb being slain. I've never seen it standing after it had its throat cut.

And I also have never seen a lamb with seven horns and seven eyes. Have you? That would be concerning. But remember, this is symbolic. This is not meant to be literal.

This is meant to convey an important message and again, John expects his readers to be students of the Old Testament. And if you've read through the Hebrew scriptures, then you know that all over the place is a horn, a symbol of strength and power and kingly authority. You find it in the Psalms, you find it in the law, you find it in prophecy. The horn is a symbol of strength. And so for the lamb to have seven horns means what?

That he has absolute and total power. That he is incomparable in his strength. That he is in fact omnipotent. The lamb is all powerful. Okay.

But what about the eyes? Seven eyes? Once again, you have another Old Testament illusion. There is one place in the Old Testament where we're told about the seven eyes of the Lord and in that verse, you have the meaning of it. So here's a reference to put in the margin.

In Zechariah four ten, notice what the prophet saw and was told. In Zechariah four ten, for whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of the Lord which range through the whole earth. So earlier in a vision, Zechariah saw these seven eyes and God gives him the meaning of it. They represent the all seeing surveying eyes of God throughout the whole earth, and that same description is now applied to who?

Jesus. That Jesus possesses complete knowledge and discernment. He is aware of absolutely everything. So not only is he omnipotent, he's omniscient. And the way he exercises his omniscience is through the agency of the Holy Spirit.

That's why we're told here back in Revelation five six, the seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. So we see something here of the unison of the Holy Spirit and Christ. The the triunity of God at work here. The omniscience of Christ exercised through the agency of the Holy Spirit. Why are we being told this?

Why are we being told that Jesus is all powerful and he's all knowing? Two reasons, and this is where we're ending. You connect those truths with the fact that he is the lamb of God. The pleasing sacrifice before the father. And you understand this, Christ is capable of saving anyone from anywhere.

There is no sin too great and if you have not been paying attention to this message, this is something that you need to lean into especially if you are in bondage. There is no sin too great. There is no place too dark or far where Christ's power cannot reach and deliver from. And I can testify that truth in my own life as a 20 year old college student in a basement apartment. No preacher.

No talented music band. No human appeal. Where it all turned around for me was on a long weekend with an open Bible and the manifest presence of God in that room. And so real was that encounter with the truth of Jesus Christ and his love for me that I can say with absolute confidence that the shackles of sin had been broken and left in that basement apartment. He reached for me because He knew where I was and He knew what I needed.

And this lamb of God knows where you are and possesses the power that you desperately need. He can set you free. A lamb? Oh, yeah. But he has seven horns.

Here's one reference to perhaps persuade you that this is indeed one of the meanings of this vision. In Numbers 23 verse 22, don't turn there. Just listen. In numbers twenty three twenty two, it says, God brings them out of Egypt and is for them like the horns of a wild ox. Do you see it?

Israel's redemption is being revisited and the Lord says, I brought them out of Egypt. What's Egypt a picture of the world? Bondage, slavery, misery, and God like a horn of a wild ox powerfully drove them into liberty. I wanna tell you today that the horns of the lamb of God can drive you out of slavery, of shackles, of bondage, of heaviness of heart. You have to call upon him.

He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God in him. To the uttermost. That's the good news of this part of the vision. But here's the sobering truth. Jesus Christ holds the power to execute the cycles of wrath inscribed on that scroll.

And he will do so perfectly. He will do so in perfect justice. So this vision, I argue, corrects a common misconception about Jesus. The idea that Christ oh, he's a lamb. Right?

So he's gentle and he's tolerant and he's laid back. You know, he's just gonna let the world go as it is and everybody's gonna be okay in the end. He is a lamb. Praise God. He's gentle.

Meek and mild. But remember that this lamb has seven horns and he has seven eyes. He is going to execute judgment one day. Can I show you one of the most paradoxical things in the book of Revelation? It still has to do with the lamb, but notice his description.

This kept me up a little bit at night. I was trying to figure it out. I'm not sure if I have fully yet. Revelation chapter six, this is when the seals are broken open and you come to the final seal. And look at verse 16 of chapter six.

Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful and everyone slave and free hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. Calling to the mountains and rocks, fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the lion. Lion? Lion? The wrath of the lamb.

For that for the great day of their wrath has come, who can stand? Wrath of the lamb. I've never seen an angry lamb. Have you? I've seen an angry lion on TV, thankfully.

An angry lamb. The wrath of the lamb? There seems to be a dissonance between the words wrath and lamb. How does that work? Is it not a shocking wake up call that the same lamb who is willing to forgive any sin, who possesses the power to wash away any iniquity is also the one who is going to judge every sin and hold everyone accountable.

It's as though, if you don't accept the blood of the lamb, then here's the wrath of the lamb. That's really the decision of all decisions. Is it not? You can't argue that Jesus Christ of Nazareth died and was buried. And we Christians believe that he rose.

What do you do with that historical truth? What do you do with that knowledge? What do you do with the lamb? Do you apply his blood by faith? Or do you join the terror of kings and governors and generals, the rich, powerful, everyone slave and free, who will one day hide themselves from the lamb?

His power. He is powerful enough to save anyone and he is powerful enough to judge everyone. I saw a lamb standing as though it had been slain. Where is Christ in your life? Has he, over the past few months, been pushed to the background, the back seat?

Have you lost faith that he is able to actually set you free from a besetting sin? Maybe a sin that has latched onto your life as of late. Let's pray. We ask, Lord, that the lamb of God would be loved by his people and would be believed on by those who might be hearing this message and don't really know him as they should. Amaze us again with Christ.

We believe that will heal us from so much. Everything that was said in these past few minutes, we pray you would make so real to every heart in this place. We've now come to worship together with these truths in our hearts. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

As the praise team comes up, I want you to know what Jesus Christ has done for you if you don't believe on Him, if you don't know Him in a saving way. He died for you. He shed His blood for you and He wants you to be saved. If you have never put your faith and trust in Jesus, if you've never really confessed them as Lord, I ask you today to realize that this this vision that we've been studying, though very rich in symbolism, speaks of a truth, speaks of a reality that is ongoing. Christ can see you.

Christ can hear you and Christ at this very moment can rush upon you and transform you. And you will know it without without a doubt. And believer, if if what you've heard today has become dull to you, ask him to open your eyes and and ask him to be able to respond to the truth that we find here in the same way that those perfect creatures in heaven can't stop doing. Loving Him and pouring out your praise to Him. He is faithful to help us.

Let's sing to Him.