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Title: The Lion and the Lamb
Date: Jul 26, 2010
Topic(s): Other
Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14, Revelation 6, Genesis 6-8

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The four horsemen of the Apocalypse; the cry of martyrs; the sun going dark; the moon turning blood red; stars falling from the sky and earthquakes rocking the foundations of the earth. It's literally the beginning of the end. These are descriptions in Revelation 6 of the first six seal-judgments unleashed upon earth--"seal" as in the seals on a scroll. As each seal is broken, a new judgment is pronounced. When considering the severity of these judgments--and they're only the first of many--it's startling to look back one chapter and consider the One bringing about the end of the world.

What Does God Say?

In Revelation 5, John gives us an eyewitness report from the throne room of heaven. He writes, "And I saw a strong 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" (Revelation 5:2-3, ESV).

It's no light matter to bring judgment upon the whole earth. Only once before did God bring so much devastation to this planet. Immediately afterwards, He promised never again to destroy the earth by a flood. (See Genesis 6-8). Yet cataclysmic disasters will mark the end times.

John continues, "And one of the elders said to me..., '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'" (Revelation 5:5, ESV).

The Lion of Judah, the Root of David, is Jesus. It seems fitting for One who comes as a Lion and as the Root of a great warrior to be the one to break the seals of judgment. But John's not finished.

"And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain....'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation'" (Revelation 5:6,9, ESV).

It's not Jesus the Lion who will break the seals of judgment but rather Jesus the slain Lamb. Judgment is no light matter in God's eyes. The portrait John paints of the slain Lamb breaking the seals on the scroll is a striking reminder of the lengths God has gone to prevent any one of us from having to face those terrible judgments.

My Thoughts

• What makes the Lamb worthy to open the scroll?
• What do these verses say about those who have accepted the Lamb's sacrifice?

My Part

Though God is more compassionate than we will ever fully comprehend, He won't withhold judgment forever. If you haven't decided where you stand with Jesus, do so today. Today He's holding out His hand to you and offering to forgive your sins. If you need more information, just let us know, we'll be glad to help. You can email us at info@bibleminute.org.

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