Tag: Lamb on the throne
The Lamb and the seals!
Scripture reading for December 25th: Revelation 6-7
The drama in heaven continued with John watching the Lamb open the scroll one seal at a time. With each seal, there was a revelation John wrote down for us. With our imagination, we can see a picture as John described it. These visions represent judgments that are coming on the earth.
The vision with the first seal was a white horse and rider. The rider held a bow and rode out as a conqueror. The second seal brought a vision of a red horse and rider. This rider held a sword and would take peace from the earth by causing men to slay each other. The third seal brought a black horse and rider. That rider held a pair of scales and spoke of famine. The fourth seal brought a pale horse and it’s rider was named “Death” and Hades was close behind. This rider was given power to kill a fourth of the earth.
These seals revealed judgments coming on the earth. The fifth seal changed the scene from earth to heaven’s altar. Under the altar were the souls of a multitude who had been slain for their testimony and the Word of God. They asked the Lord how long before judgment would come for their blood. They were told to be patient until their brothers who would be killed would be complete. (Revelation 6:9-11)
The sixth seal brought a great earthquake. The sun turned black and the moon turned blood red. The stars in the sky fell to earth and the sky receded like a scroll being rolled up. With this destructive turmoil, the people left on the earth hid in caves and among the rocks of mountains. They asked the rocks to fall on them to hide them from the face of the One on the Throne and the wrath of the Lamb.
Revelation 7 was an interlude in the heavenly drama. Between the opening of the sixth and seventh seal, John described the marking of 144,000 from the tribes of Israel. John then saw a multitude in white robes from every nation, tongue and tribe. They were worshiping the Lamb. John was told that they were those who came out of the great tribulation. (Revelation 7:13-14) These awesome events are scenes of things yet to come. We must have the seal of God to avoid the seals of judgment opened by the Lamb.
Lion and Lamb!
Scripture reading for December 24th: Revelation 4-5
John saw a door open in heaven and heard a voice calling him to enter. He immediately saw the brilliant throne of heaven and One seated on it. This throne was encircled by an emerald rainbow and radiated flashes of lightning and rumblings of loud thunder. There were 24 other thrones with elders seated dressed in white with golden crowns. Four living creatures that resembled animals with eyes all over them worshiped the One on the throne constantly saying “Holy,holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)
The 24 elders responded to the worship of these strange creatures with worship of their own. They fell down before the throne and cast their golden crowns before the Lord and said: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:11)
The worship of the elders is focused on God as creator of all things. Everything that has life draws it’s life from God. Because of His will and pleasure we have our being. Many in our culture deny God as creator but accept time and chance. Gods of good luck and fortune move them instead of the Lord, Creator of all!
John saw a scroll in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. A mighty angel spoke out: “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (Revelation 5:2) No one was found and John began to weep profusely. But the Lion of the tribe of Judah had triumphed and He would open the scroll!
When John looked, this Lion was none other than a Lamb who had the marks of being slain. The Lamb took the scroll from the One seated on the throne and the 24 elders fell down and began to worship with a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priest to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10) The Lion who is also a Lamb is the focus of all heaven and earth! Jesus Christ is His Name!