Saturday, February 9, 2008
Revelation 7:10 Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!
THE NAMES OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR: THE VICTORIOUS LAMB OF GOD
In our study of this name we cannot omit the one book that makes more use of it than any other in the New Testament -- the book of Revelation. In Revelation, the Lamb of God becomes a lamb of victory. In chapters 5, 6, and 12, the Lamb retains the marks of the sacrifice for sin. But the picture is enlarged in 7:14 where we see the white-robed saints who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Thus the Lamb's purity is brought to each of us. As His saints we can now defy Satan himself. Nevertheless, the gentle kindness of the Lamb is not forgotten either, for in chapter 7 we see Him leading the saints to water and food.
In Revelation 14:4 the redeemed are called the firstfruits of God and the Lamb. The Lamb has become a master. His power is shown in the picture of the seven horns and seven eyes. You will remember that in both Old and New Testaments the horn is a symbol of power. The Lamb has great authority for He controls and holds the Book of Life. This picture was no doubt taken from the oriental kings and chiefs who had a register of their citizens living and loyal to them. The names of the citizens of the kingdom of God are registered in the Book of Life and belong to the Lamb.
Revelation also speaks of the wrath of the Lamb as a terrible thing -- for those who reject Him. The Lamb has won the victory for us, and one day the wicked will be tortured in the presence of the Lamb (14:10). Those who would make war against the Lamb are utterly wiped out. He is pictured as controlling history. He alone can open the seals of the book that contains the history of the world. He is worshiped and shares the glory of God.
So also the marriage of the Lamb is stressed in Revelation. His bride is the Church -- the believers -- the communion of saints. "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb" (Revelation 19:9).
Thus one of the greatest of the names of our Savior, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, unites Jesus' gentleness and love with His majesty, His suffering with His glory, His humiliation with His exaltation. Our beloved Savior was at the same time both the sacrificial Lamb and the Victor over sin, Satan, death, and hell that He might lead us to heaven where He reigns as the exalted King of glory forever.
