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 at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Revelation 5:5-6 NIV)
The fourth and fifth chapters of Revelation picture the throne in heaven. Four living creatures and twenty-four elders surround the throne, singing the praises of the one sitting on the throne. The one sitting on the throne held a sealed scroll. And a mighty angel called out, looking for someone worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. But none was found. Until one of the elders announced that the search was over.
He proclaimed that the Lion of the tribe of Judah had triumphed. And he was worthy to open the scroll and its seals. Then John looked, and, surprise, instead of a Lion, he saw a Lamb standing at the center of the throne. And this Lamb looked like it had been killed. The heavenly worship team then sang a new song, praising the slain Lamb because, with his blood, he had purchased for God persons from throughout the world.
Jesus Is the Lion and the Lamb
Jesus is the triumphant Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David. But it was as a slain Lamb that he took his place on the throne. Jesus triumphed by dying. It was as he hung on the cross that he claimed his throne. Through his blood, shed on the cross, he redeemed fallen humanity and established his eternal kingdom.
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise” (Rev. 5:12)!
