Rich and blessed as are the associations in the mind of every saint of God connected with Christ’s title of “the Lamb,” it may be questioned whether that which stamps it, in the mind of heaven, with its peculiar significance has, so fully as it ought, its place and bearing in the soul. The emphatic exclamation of the Baptist, “Behold the Lamb of God!” indicates the grace of Him who bears this name and marks His title to the adoring worship of our hearts. But this title, as borne by the same blessed One, on high, unfolded in the Book of Revelation, brings us associated with other glories and other scenes than those that met the holy musings of John, when he gazed on the blessed Jesus walking by the banks of Jordan.
This title is almost exclusively connected with the Book of Revelation, which may be called the book of “the rights of the Lamb.” This title, on its first occurrence in the book, causes heaven, earth and all redeemed creation to be roused to praise, “saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:1212Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:12)). He alone is to become the center of universal praise.
Vindication of the Lamb
There is, doubtless, a marked difference in the presentation of “the Lamb slain” in this book and in his presentation by the same title in John 1:29,3629The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)
36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (John 1:36), the only other place in Scripture in which, as a title, it occurs. In the Revelation, the “Lamb slain” is not presented so much as God’s provision of love to meet a sinner’s need, but as He is shown, by His rejection and suffering on earth, to be entitled to hold universal power. We are called to contemplate the righteous claims of this suffering and rejected victim, as recognized on high. It is true that the cross abides still in all its wondrous mystery of love, but we have in this book the lifting up of a curtain, showing things beyond the Spirit’s direct testimony in the church. First, Jesus is shown in the position of rebuke of the church’s decadence as His witness in the world. And then, in the prophetic part, it is not so much the Spirit down here testifying of Christ, as seen on high. Rather, the spirit of prophecy tells of the progress of things here on earth in connection with heavenly counsels, which result in the vindication of the claims of “the Lamb.” It is the blessed accomplishment, in power, of that word in Philippians, “He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:8-118And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8‑11)). It is the reward of Christ’s perfect obedience to the Father’s will. Therefore it is throughout that Christ as “the Lamb,” in the midst of the throne, is in connection with the earth and creation, rather than directly with the church.
Heaven and Earth Recognize Him
In the fifth chapter this worthiness of the Lamb is proclaimed, and nothing, in accomplishment, can go beyond this. Heaven, earth and all redeemed creation recognize the full claims of Christ’s mediatorial glory, as the “Lamb that was slain.” We are brought to the point “when He shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power,” and when He shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father. “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, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever” (Rev. 5:1313And 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, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:13)).
In the challenge which brings the Lamb upon the scene, there is the question: “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” But “no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.” But there is one, and one only, found to accept this challenge. “And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four living ones, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne” (Rev. 5:6-76And 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, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. (Revelation 5:6‑7)). In redemption Christ has obtained a title to be the whole creation’s Lord, as well as the church’s blessed Head. As the suffering, meek and unresisting victim, heaven accords to Him the title to universal power and praise. The tribute of the universe must be paid alone to Him, who to the death asserted the glory of God in a world of evil, and who, in the administration of the affluence of His power and glory, will turn every stream of creature-good back to the Creator’s praise.
Those Who Honor Him
Happy is it for the saint to rest in the love and grace of Him who is in the midst of the throne, and happier still, in seeking now to uphold the honor of His name, to count on His power alone, who has the “seven horns and the seven eyes,” for how surely is His power and grace directed to sustain the heart that counts on His goodness in seeking, in a world of evil, to do His will. Soon that power, which now secretly sustains, controls and overrules amid the confusion of Satan’s power, will be openly displayed. And how soon will this bright scene of glory burst upon our anticipations!
His Enemies
But there is another side of the picture. When divine power shall vindicate the claims of earth’s rejected victim, what dismay will fill the hearts of those who despise His name and will at last be found in martial array to resist His claims. “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings” (Rev. 17:1414These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)). But before this hour arrives, what a picture of the world’s dismay does the Lamb’s opening of the sixth seal present! “The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens 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 that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Rev. 6:15-1715And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Revelation 6:15‑17)).
No More Curse
The song of heaven is, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain” (Rev. 5:6-136And 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, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. 9And 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 out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. 13And 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, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:6‑13)), and the Book of Revelation is full of references to both the power and glory of the One who is called the Lamb. And finally, there is to be no more curse, because the throne of God and of the Lamb are to be there (Rev. 22:3-53And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:3‑5)). These are but brief notices of the wondrous character and claims of Him who in heaven is seen as “the Lamb.” A suffering victim here on earth, He is about to be brought forth in full investiture of heaven’s glory; there will be no place for any that refuse to bow in homage to His name.
The Marriage of the Lamb
While the main subject of this book is the presentation and enforcement of the claims of Christ to universal homage and power as the suffering Lamb, there is that which gleams forth, as it were incidentally, in the vindication of His glory. Far away from the scene of conflict and before the Lamb comes forth sitting on “the white horse,” there is seen in the peaceful courts of heaven “the marriage of the Lamb,” and, it is added, “His wife hath made herself ready”! His glory cannot be asserted without us with Him in the scene. That “we may be glorified together” is the word of Scripture! The joy must begin on high before the glory is displayed below. From heaven the Lamb comes forth to redeem the inheritance and to take possession of His glory, and “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:44When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)).
How this teaches the heart of one who knows the espousal of the church to Christ; how little it has to do with all the busy aims of men; how little reason it has to covet the world’s wisdom, power or glory, while another lord and prince is owned! It is not the earth in the power of redemption yet and yielding its willing homage to the Lamb, but it is the world which made the Lamb a suffering victim and still retains its opposition to His claims.
Present Testimony (adapted)