Saturday in the Second Week of Easter

Revelation 5:1-14

Enter the Lamb

It gets better.  Now a mysterious scroll appears in the hand of the One seated on the throne, sealed with seven seals.  A mighty angel issues a challenge to all creation to open the scroll.  But no one is worthy to do so – except one.  John is told not to weep (for he had begun to cry), because the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” who is the “Root of David” has conquered.  He is worthy.  And then appears in the midst of the throne, not a lion as the elder had indicated, but a lamb, and not any lamb, but one looking as if it had been slain.  And a strange-looking lamb it is with seven horns and seven eyes, representing its power over and knowledge of all things.  The Lamb takes the scroll out of the hand of the One seated on the throne.  One wonders if the Lamb was the only one who would dare approach the One seated there.  He does, and one senses that the Lamb’s taking of the scroll from the One seated on the throne was as effortless as his subsequent breaking of the seals.

He is the Lion and the Lamb both at the same time, the One who conquers through sacrifice, whose strength is displayed through meekness.  And what happens upon his receiving the scroll?  All creation breaks into praise, the same praise as in chapter four that was ascribed to the One seated on the throne.  The One seated on the throne was praised for creating the world and everything in it; the Lamb is praised for ransoming a people from the world, a kingdom of priests who shall one day rule over it.

But yesterday we said that only the Lord is God.  Indeed, we did.  And here we understand that the One seated on the throne is the Father, and the Lion who is the Lamb who was slain is His Son who gave his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).  And the “seven spirits of God” which burn before the throne is the Holy Spirit, so that all three persons of the Trinity now make their appearance in this majestic scene.  And we are now able to name this God who is so awesome in appearance.  We said yesterday that He has named Himself, “I Am,” and so He has.  But further revelation from the New Testament identifies “I Am” as “The God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who sends the Holy Spirit,” a mouthful, I know, but necessary in this day of false gods.  This is the only true God.  Paul reminds us, that although there may be many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’ – yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist (1 Corinthians 8:5-6).  And this God alone is worthy.

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor

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