There is no mistaking that the Lamb in this scene is Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, and Son of Man. He was the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. He appeared to have been slain and yet is alive, standing at the center of the throne. He has seven horns, or so it appeared to John, indicating his perfect and incomparable power, and seven eyes indicating his perfect unity with the seven-fold Spirit of God. The twenty-four elders refer to the Lamb as the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David.
Those beleaguered believers in Asia Minor who read this or hear it for the first time must have been elated as they heard John describing their beloved Savior. Yes, he was slain as a lamb in the slaughter, and yet now he is alive and triumphant. And he is the only person in all of heaven and earth who is worthy! This lamb approaches the throne and takes the scroll from the right hand of the Father. And when that happens, all heaven and earth explode with thunderous praise and worship. It begins first with a massive chorus of angels; more than one can count. The thousand times ten thousand doesn’t mean literally 100 million. It indicates that there is an innumerable host of angels. Then they are joined by every creature from God’s creation, animals, birds, fish, whales, etc. The entire created universe joins in. And lastly, the four living creatures join in followed by the twenty elders.
I’m looking forward to that scene! I’m anticipating the rapture of that event. And I’m going to start today. That event is already, but not yet. Jesus has already triumphed and stands in the midst of the throne. Seeing through a poor mirror we can faintly catch a glimpse of it all and can give him glory and praise in our own limited capacity today. But one day (here I am speaking in terms of time again) we will join this indescribable celebration and see everything completely and without the veil of this fallen world.
Those beleaguered believers in Asia Minor who read this or hear it for the first time must have been elated as they heard John describing their beloved Savior. Yes, he was slain as a lamb in the slaughter, and yet now he is alive and triumphant. And he is the only person in all of heaven and earth who is worthy! This lamb approaches the throne and takes the scroll from the right hand of the Father. And when that happens, all heaven and earth explode with thunderous praise and worship. It begins first with a massive chorus of angels; more than one can count. The thousand times ten thousand doesn’t mean literally 100 million. It indicates that there is an innumerable host of angels. Then they are joined by every creature from God’s creation, animals, birds, fish, whales, etc. The entire created universe joins in. And lastly, the four living creatures join in followed by the twenty elders.
I’m looking forward to that scene! I’m anticipating the rapture of that event. And I’m going to start today. That event is already, but not yet. Jesus has already triumphed and stands in the midst of the throne. Seeing through a poor mirror we can faintly catch a glimpse of it all and can give him glory and praise in our own limited capacity today. But one day (here I am speaking in terms of time again) we will join this indescribable celebration and see everything completely and without the veil of this fallen world.
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