Lesson
12
The
Revelation of Jesus Christ
Review:
> What is it
that qualifies the Lion of Judah to be king?
It was to be the cross before the
crown.
Root
of David what does that mean?
Who is in view?
Isa 11:1-5; 10; Rom
> The last
phrase of vs:5 also indicates His success; He has the right to open the book, that He is
qualified to do so!
- Back in
His sitting down = session at the right
hand; indicates that He and His work on the cross was accepted by God/F.
> Need to
examine the use of the Lion and the Lamb as it applies; How can Christ be pictured both as a Lion
and a Lamb.
- Lion pictures a majestic rule/kingship
- lamb pictures
humble, submissive suffering.
- It was in the
1st Advent that He did the suffering to provide salvation.
- It is in the 2nd
Advent that He will return as King and reign for eternity!
** One of the themes that permeates
the N.T. is that of victory through sacrifice!
Not just with Christ but also with the believer also.
- Christ is called
the Lion once!
While the Lamb metaphor is used of Christ 29
times in Rev and ties the king, the judge with the Lamb.
Revelation ties the Judge and Lord of the
Universe, to the same Jesus who, as the Lamb, was crucified for the fallen
human race.
<5:6> Have 3 Aspects of the Person of Christ identified here!
#1. Is seen in His posture.
"standing as
if slain"
- Have a contrast with His role in Church
age, mediatorship, "while sitting" Heb 1:3
- "Standing" then indicates
readiness for activity;
about to begin a work of judgment in fulfilling the content of
the scroll.
** What does this say about the work of the
Lion?
#2. Completeness of
His Sacrifice "as if slain"
Points to the cross and His resurrection and
says His work in salvation is complete and with His resurrection we have the
empirical evidence of the lasting impact of salvation.
#3. Completeness of
His Power/Authority "having seven horns and seven eyes.."
The imagery is to communicate
characteristics, function through these symbols! The message is the main point
not the graphics!
- We see the completeness of His Power first
in the 7 Horns.
- This power is
not arbitrary at all it is balanced by the 7 eyes;
eyes = intelligence and understanding;
This symbolic
representation of the Holy Spirit (Isa 11:2) arises
from the close relationship of the Holy Spirit to the Son, Jesus Christ.
So this very imposing picture of the Lamb in
the throne room suggests that the Holy Spirit as Christ's agent throughout the
world has the power and intelligence to carry out all that Christ's desires.
So we have one with the power and the
intelligence to use it wisely; the only one qualified to pick up the book and
execute the content, the judgments detailed in it.
<5:7> A very dramatic scene here!
- The Lamb here
claims the willingness to carry out the judgments of the book and the same
ability as the Father who releases the Book to Him.
<3> 5:8-14
This act by the Lamb will be followed by
great worship!
Major shift in view at this point in the
ministry of Christ; to the church He is intercessor, mediator; now as He stands
and takes the book He becomes the Righteous judge.
All
creation is to be subject to His authority.
Ps 8:6; 1 Cor
** Today there are
4 things out of place in the Universe; by the end of Rev we will find that they
are all in their proper place!
1. The church is
out of place, as the bride of Christ it ought to be in heaven with the bridegroom.
2.
3. The devil/Satan
is out of place; ought to be in the LOF which was created for him.
4. Christ is out
of place; He should be through with intercession/judgment and seated on His
throne reigning.