We have briefly looked at the origin of sin, and why the Father’s redemptive plan required Jesus Christ, His Son, to become the Lamb of God. The scriptures offer numerous direct and indirect prophetic insights into His role as the Lamb of God.
The Old Testament Law mandated animal sacrifices as atonement for sin. When the Israelites presented their unblemished lambs, goats, or bulls to the Tabernacle or Temple, they were constantly reminded of the cost and consequences of their transgressions and the symbolic exchange that occurred. These substitutionary animals represented Jesus Christ, who would ultimately become the spotless and final sacrifice for sin.
For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Romans 6:10
"...who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself." Hebrews 7:27
Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12
By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:10
Through Jesus Christ, our sole offering to God today is the sacrifice of thankfulness, adoration, and reverence.
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15
Another Aspect of the Lamb of God
The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome concerning the “goodness and severity of God.” In his letter, he noted it is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance (turning from a lifestyle of sin to God). However, he said those who harden their hearts, even after receiving God’s goodness were in danger of fiery judgement in the day of His wrath. (Romans 2:4-10)
While many recognize Jesus Christ as the "Lamb of God" and celebrate His meekness as described in Matthew 11:29, it's less commonly known that He also embodies the fierce strength and majesty of a lion. In fact, Revelation 5:5 refers to Him as the "Lion of Judah. "This divine attribute is spoken of several times in the book of Revelation and reveals the Lamb’s wrath against ungodliness and hardness of heart towards God’s ways of righteousness, peace, and joy.
Let's delve into various scriptures that shed light on this facet of Christ's character. While His first mission was to redeem us from our transgressions, it wasn't to condone persistent sinful behavior.
As our High Priest and Redeemer, however, He is continually ready to assists us in overcoming sin (Hebrews 4:14-16). Yet, those who defiantly resist His grace and do not repent will one day confront His fiery judgment.
The Scroll and the Lamb
And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"
And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.
But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."
And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever. Revelation 5:1-14
We've presented this chapter to provide context for our subsequent discussions. Here we see Jesus Christ emerging as the Lion of Judah, and as the Lamb of God who will break open the seals to unlock the last day events before His return to earth. He is portrayed here as the highly exalted Son of God, not the helpless Babe in the manager, or the suffering Servant on a cruel rugged cross.
Here He is revealed as the One who has been given ALL authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18).
He is the Righteous Judge, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, who is coming to take vengeance upon all those that love iniquity and resist the truth of the gospel.
“…since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.” 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10
The above passage corresponds with the account described in the book of Revelation, when the wrath of God is being poured out upon earth.
I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.
And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" Revelation 6:12-17
The day is drawing near when God's fierce anger will be unleashed upon the earth, targeting those who have willfully oppressed His people, and given themselves over to wickedness and wrongdoing.
Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. Revelation 14:9-10
The Coming Judgement Against Wicked Rulers and Nations
"The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.
These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."
Revelation 17:12-14
Just as a skilled surgeon surgically removes a malignant tumor to save a patient, so Jesus will return to purge the earth of its wickedness.
The Lamb will overcome all the nations that have gathered against Him and set up His Kingdom on earth for 1000 years. This is called the Millennial Reign of Christ, which is a subject for another time.
Until next time, may God, our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, richly bless and keep you.
James Brown CST 09/29/2023