REVELATION 5:1-7 – Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

THEME OF THE DAY. A LION AND LAMB. Today’s scripture is the continuance of the Apostle John’s second vision in the Revelation. His first one appeared in chapter one and contained two things – instructions from Jesus to send to the seven churches of Asia Minor and a vision of the Lord Himself; I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest (Revelation 1:9-13).

In the unfolding of the second vision given to John, which began in Revelation 4:1, he is taken into the greatest worship scene ever witnessed. If we haven’t been to this church service recently, please get alone soon, in a distraction-free place, and spend time reading, meditating, and praying through Revelation chapters four and five. It will be a tremendous blessing. As we take time today and enter this scene, what quickly grabs the mind and heart is the centrality of the Lord Jesus. We should not be surprised. The Bible from Genesis to Revelation is about Christ and in the Revelation, He is front and center throughout. And what takes front and center in the Lord Jesus are two descriptions. John identifies the Lord as “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, and the Lamb slain.” These two descriptions or titles given to our Lord are not only heaven’s theme, but practical truths to live the Christian life. Let’s see how . . .

First, we need the power of the Lord Jesus as the majestic Lion to conquer our spiritual foes. We are no match for the devil, the world, and even our own deceiving hearts. Enter the power of Christ in us. When we are in the throes of temptation and the oppression of evil forces, immediately think of the Lord Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. Then, by faith, realize His lion-like power is available, and by faith, appropriate it against all spiritual foes. They will flee. They are no match for the “Lion of all lions”, the Lord Jesus.

We also need the gentleness of the Lord Jesus as the Lamb slain. Why? We won’t win every spiritual battle. We won’t defeat every temptation. And when we fail, the accuser, the devil, seeks to bring coals of condemnation upon us and rob us of our joy in the Lord (Revelation 12:10). Yet, we run to the Lamb slain, and by faith, regain strength and joy that comes through the gentle restoring touch of our Lamb, the Lord Jesus.

So, in the course of living out the Christian life, don’t forget we have a whole Christ to help us. And His wholeness is not only as Savior, but a conquering Lion and gentle Lamb always ready to come alongside and walk with us all the way home – home to the place of the greatest worship service ever!

PRAYER: “Father, may I never lose the wonder my Savior, Your Son, comes to me as a powerful lion and meek lamb.”

QUOTE: “Think much on Jesus in the fullness of His power as a lion and the fullness of His gentleness as a lamb.”