LAMB’S VICTORIOUS ROAR!

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” — Revelation 5:12 (KJV)

ABSTRACT

Revelation 5 unveils the heavenly throne room where Christ’s sacrificial role as the slain Lamb unlocks the sealed scroll of redemption, redefining power through humility and love, calling the community to surrender, worship, and reflect divine grace in relationships, culminating in eternal hope through His blood.

LION TO LAMB REVEALED!

Just as John’s despair reaches its peak, an elder offers hope, pointing not to raw power but to a figure described in paradoxical terms. The assurance comes, “Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the scroll, and to loose the seven seals thereof” (Revelation 5:5). These are potent, Messianic titles drawn from the Old Testament, evoking images of kingship, strength, and righteous authority—Jesus the Messiah. Yet, when John turns his tear-filled eyes, the anticipated Lion manifests differently. Instead, he observes, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain…” (Revelation 5:6). This shift from Lion to Lamb is startling; heaven’s victory is achieved not through dominance, but through sacrifice. Christ’s triumph redefines power through sacrificial love. The contrast between the Lion’s might and the Lamb’s humility in John’s vision shows this. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13, KJV). “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16, KJV). “When, as erring, sinful beings, we come to Christ and become partakers of His pardoning grace, love springs up in the heart. Every burden is light, for the yoke that Christ imposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness, becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness” (Steps to Christ, p. 59, 1892). “The loveliness of the character of Christ will be seen in His followers. It was His delight to do the will of God. Love to God, zeal for His glory, was the controlling power in our Saviour’s life. Love beautified and ennobled all His actions. Love is of God. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it. It is found only in the heart where Jesus reigns. ‘We love, because He first loved us.’ 1 John 4:19, R.V. In the heart renewed by divine grace, love is the principle of action. It modifies the character, governs the impulses, controls the passions, subdues enmity, and ennobles the affections” (Steps to Christ, p. 59, 1892). This paradox challenges earthly notions of strength, emphasizing surrender as the path to victory. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9, KJV). “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, KJV). “The Saviour’s sacrifice was not only sufficient but abundant to wash away the sins of the whole world” (The Signs of the Times, p. 45, 1900). “Through the cross, man was drawn to God, and God to man” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 468, 1905). This profound contrast challenges our worldly notions of power, revealing that in God’s economy, surrender and sacrifice are the pathways to ultimate prevalence. How does the scroll itself reflect the scope of Christ’s redemptive work?

SEVEN SEALS UNLOCKED!

While the precise identity of the scroll sparks theological discussion—often linked to the Book of Life mentioned by Moses, Daniel, and Jesus Himself—its contents clearly hold the keys to judgment and redemption. The text states, “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a scroll written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals” (Revelation 5:1). This comprehensive inscription, inside and out, suggests a complete record, a divine ledger encompassing both the hidden realities and the observable history of God’s dealings with humanity. The seven seals imply perfect security and divine authority, a mystery impenetrable to any created being. Why could no one else open it? Because the right to adjudicate human destiny, to blot out sin, and to inscribe names into life belongs solely to the One who paid the infinite price. Christ’s atonement grants authority over the scroll. The text’s emphasis on the Lamb’s unique qualification to break the seals shows this. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7, KJV). “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Hebrews 9:12, KJV). “The opposite and no less dangerous error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to do with our redemption” (Steps to Christ, p. 60, 1892). “But notice here that obedience is not a mere outward compliance, but the service of love. The law of God is an expression of His very nature; it is an embodiment of the great principle of love, and hence is the foundation of His government in heaven and earth. If our hearts are renewed in the likeness of God, if the divine love is implanted in the soul, will not the law of God be carried out in the life? When the principle of love is implanted in the heart, when man is renewed after the image of Him that created him, the new-covenant promise is fulfilled, ‘I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.’ Hebrews 10:16” (Steps to Christ, p. 60, 1892). This underscores that Christ’s blood alone unlocks divine judgment and mercy. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22, KJV). “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17, KJV). “The atonement of Christ sealed forever the everlasting covenant of grace” (The Signs of the Times, p. 233, 1901). “Christ’s death on the cross made sure the destruction of him who has the power of death” (The Review and Herald, p. 17, 1900). Thus, the scroll represents not just a record, but the entire redemptive plan, accessible only through the merits of Christ’s blood. What attributes qualify the Lamb to wield such authority?

PERFECT POWER DISPLAYED!

Although appearing as a vulnerable Lamb “as it had been slain,” this figure possesses attributes of supreme divine capability, depicted symbolically. John describes the Lamb “having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth” (Revelation 5:6). In biblical symbolism, horns represent power and authority (as seen in Daniel 7:24), and the number seven signifies completeness or perfection; thus, seven horns denote Christ’s absolute, perfect power and dominion over all creation. Eyes, conversely, symbolize wisdom, knowledge, and discernment; seven eyes represent perfect, all-seeing omniscience, intimately connected with the Holy Spirit’s work, as referenced in Isaiah 11:2 which details the manifold Spirit of the Lord. Christ’s divine attributes magnify through His sacrifice. The symbolic imagery of the seven horns and eyes, signifying complete power and wisdom, shows this. “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8, KJV). “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, KJV). “More than this, Christ changes the heart. He abides in your heart by faith. You are to maintain this connection with Christ by faith and the continual surrender of your will to Him; and so long as you do this, He will work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. So you may say, ‘The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.’ Galatians 2:20. So Jesus said to His disciples, ‘It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.’ Matthew 10:20. Then with Christ working in you, you will manifest the same spirit and do the good works—works of righteousness, obedience” (Steps to Christ, p. 62, 1892). “The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness” (Steps to Christ, p. 43, 1892). This explains that these attributes, paired with His sacrificial role, qualify Him alone to open the scroll. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18, KJV). “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2, KJV). “The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ” (The Desire of Ages, p. 805, 1898). “Christ’s humanity was united with divinity, and in this strength He would bear all the temptations that Satan could bring against Him” (The Review and Herald, p. 14, 1877). It is this perfectly powerful and all-knowing Lamb—Jesus, identified by John the Baptist as “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)—who alone is qualified. His divine attributes are not diminished by His sacrifice; rather, His sacrifice is the very demonstration of His infinite capacity and worthiness, blending omnipotence with redemptive love. How does this sacrifice redefine God’s character and our relationship with Him?

CROSS’S DIVINE HEARTBEAT!

Far from portraying a distant or demanding deity, the scene in Revelation 5 powerfully demonstrates the proactive, self-sacrificing nature of God’s love, avoiding simplistic verses while plumbing its depths. The crisis wasn’t that God was unwilling to reveal the future or grant salvation, but that the cost was infinitely high—requiring a mediator who was both divine and human, spotless yet willing to bear sin. The appearance of the Lamb, slain yet standing in the midst of the throne, reveals that sacrifice is not peripheral to God’s character but central to His reign and His love. This act fulfills the necessity that “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). God didn’t send an angel or a lesser being; He sent His Son, embodying His love in the most profound way imaginable. Christ’s sacrifice expresses divine love ultimately. The Lamb’s central position in the throne room, bearing the marks of His death, shows this. “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19, KJV). “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:2, KJV). “When Christ called His disciples to follow Him. He offered them no flattering prospects in this life. He gave them no promise of gain or worldly honor, nor did they make any stipulation as to what they should receive. To Matthew as he sat at the receipt of custom, the Saviour said, ‘Follow Me.’ ‘And he left all, rose up, and followed Him.’ Matthew did not, before rendering service, wait to demand a certain salary, equal to the amount received in his former occupation. Without question or hesitation he followed Jesus. It was enough for him that he was to be with the Saviour, that he might hear His words and unite with Him in His work” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 479, 1905). “So it was with the disciples previously called. When Jesus bade Peter and his companions follow Him, immediately they left their boats and nets. Some of these disciples had friends dependent on them for support; but when they received the Saviour’s invitation, they did not hesitate, and inquire, ‘How shall I live, and sustain my family?’ They were obedient to the call; and when afterward Jesus asked them” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 479, 1905). This emphasizes that this act reveals God’s self-giving nature, not wrath. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV). “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10, KJV). “The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God” (Education, p. 263, 1903). “The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster” (Gospel Workers, p. 315, 1915). The blood on the throne isn’t a symbol of divine wrath satisfied apart from love, but the ultimate expression of love—love that bears, suffers, and overcomes death itself to redeem. What response does this divine act demand from us?

SURRENDER’S CALL HEARD!

In light of the Lamb’s sacrifice and supreme worthiness, what response does God require from us, His creation? The vision compels more than mere intellectual assent; it demands complete surrender and allegiance. If the mighty Lion prevailed by becoming the slain Lamb, then my path to victory must also involve submission to His will and reliance on His merit alone. The call echoes throughout Scripture: “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). This means recognizing that my life is no longer my own; it was bought with the precious blood of Christ. My ambitions, my desires, my very identity must be yielded to Him who sits upon the throne. Our response to Christ’s sacrifice involves total surrender. The scriptural call to offer ourselves as living sacrifices shows this. “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:13, KJV). “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38, KJV). “Many who profess to be Christ’s followers have an anxious, troubled heart, because they are afraid to trust themselves with God. They do not make a complete surrender to Him; for they shrink from the consequences that such a surrender may involve. Unless they do make this surrender, they can not find peace” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 481, 1905). “There are many whose hearts are aching under a load of care because they seek to reach the world’s standard…. Worry is blind, and can not discern the future; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief. ‘No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly’” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 481, 1905). This highlights that this surrender aligns our lives with Christ’s redemptive purpose. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16, KJV). “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20, KJV). “Consecration is a full surrender of the soul to God, a complete dedication of all our powers to His service” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 82, 1882). “The surrender of all our powers to God greatly simplifies the problem of life” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 479, 1905). Therefore, my primary responsibility toward God is to accept the Lamb’s sacrifice personally, allowing His blood to cleanse my sins, and to follow Him in obedience, trusting His power (the seven horns) and His wisdom (the seven eyes) to guide my life daily. How does this sacrifice shape our relationships with others?

LOVE’S ECHO IN ACTION!

Understanding the sacrifice of the Lamb fundamentally reshapes not only our vertical relationship with God but also our horizontal relationships with fellow human beings, compelling a different kind of interaction than the world often models. The Lamb stood before the throne not just as a conqueror, but as an intercessor, bearing the marks of His love for fallen humanity. If His blood purchased our redemption, then we who receive this grace are called to extend grace, compassion, and service to others. We are instructed to “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). This involves seeing others through the lens of the cross, recognizing their value in God’s eyes, and seeking their spiritual and temporal well-being. Christ’s sacrifice calls us to reflect His love in our interactions. The command to bear one another’s burdens, fulfilling Christ’s law, shows this. “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, KJV). “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness” (Colossians 3:12-14, KJV). “We are all woven together in the great web of humanity, and whatever we can do to benefit and uplift others will reflect in blessing upon ourselves” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 534, 1890). “The very act of looking for evil in others develops evil in those who look. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image” (The Desire of Ages, p. 658, 1898). This notes that this reflects the Lamb’s intercessory role, extending His grace to others. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34, KJV). “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32, KJV). “The spirit of unselfish love for others gives to the character depth, stability, and Christlike loveliness” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 168, 1882). “Our work is to restore the moral image of God in man by our influence and example” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 381, 1875). Our responsibility, then, is to reflect the character of the Lamb—showing meekness, patience, forgiveness, and actively working for the restoration and upliftment of those around us, regardless of their background or beliefs, thereby echoing on earth the redemptive work celebrated in heaven. What celebration follows the Lamb’s triumph?

NEW SONG ERUPTS!

The resolution of the crisis in Revelation 5 culminates not in silence or fear, but in an explosion of worship that reverberates through the cosmos. Once the Lamb takes the scroll, heaven erupts with a “new song,” declaring: “Thou art worthy to take the scroll, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10). This anthem underscores the core message: redemption is accomplished, accessible to all, and transformative. The blood on the throne isn’t a stain of defeat but the banner of victory—a victory that redefines power, reorders heavenly hierarchies around sacrifice, and creates a new community bound by grace. The Lamb’s sacrifice prompts universal worship and creates a redeemed community. The new song sung by the redeemed, celebrating Christ’s blood, shows this. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15, KJV). “O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth” (Psalm 96:1, KJV). “It is not earthly rank, nor birth, nor nationality, nor religious privilege, which proves that we are members of the family of God; it is love, a love that embraces all humanity” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 75, 1896). “Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing” (The Desire of Ages, p. 330, 1898). This emphasizes that this worship reflects the transformative power of redemption, uniting all peoples. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood” (Revelation 5:9, KJV). “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Revelation 5:12, KJV). “The cross of Christ will be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity” (The Great Controversy, p. 651, 1888). “The theme of redemption will employ the minds and tongues of the redeemed through the everlasting ages” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 318, 1882). Salvation through the Lamb is the central theme, the engine driving all prophetic fulfillment.

BLOOD’S COMFORTING POWER!

The imagery of “Blood on the Throne” moves from potentially unsettling to profoundly comforting when understood through the lens of Revelation 5. It speaks of a God whose love was so immense He embraced the ultimate sacrifice. It reveals a Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lamb slain, whose worthiness stems not from earthly might but from redemptive suffering. His blood doesn’t merely cleanse individual sins; it underwrites the entire plan of salvation, opens the seals of divine mystery, and secures the final victory for God’s people. Like the single drop of blood from the African native Asibi that led to the yellow fever vaccine saving countless lives, the blood of Jesus possesses infinite power to heal, redeem, and grant eternal life. This isn’t just theology; it’s the lived reality offered to every person. The life is indeed in the blood (Leviticus 17:11), and eternal life flows from the Lamb who poured out His own. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11, KJV). Christ’s blood on the throne comforts and redeems. The infinite power of Jesus’ blood to heal and grant eternal life shows this. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19, KJV). “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (Colossians 1:20, KJV). “The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness” (Steps to Christ, p. 43, 1892). “Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service of God supreme, will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 481, 1905). This underscores the profound comfort and hope in the blood’s redemptive power. May we all hear the invitation in heaven’s new song and join the chorus, accepting the redemption offered through the blood on the throne.

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LAMB’S VICTORIOUS ROAR!

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