Lamb or Lion - or Both

     The setting is in heaven.  The church has been removed from the earth and the great tribulation is about to begin; it’s time to redeem all that was lost due to the curse.  The Apostle John records what he sees. 

     “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.”  Revelation 5:1

     The scroll was a legal document granting title to the redeemed earth.

     John was very much troubled, however, upon hearing a loud voice proclaiming the lack of anyone qualified to open the sealed document. 

     “So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll…but one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep.  Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and its seven seals.’”  Revelation 5:4-5

     Upon hearing those words John looks around perhaps expecting to see a King in royal splendor.

     “And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne…stood a Lamb as though it had been slain…Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.”  Revelation 5:6-7

     After the Lamb took the scroll all those present fell down before the Lamb and sang a new song.

     “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood…”  Revelation 5:9

     And then John looked around again and heard the voices of innumerable angels and they were also speaking with loud voices.

     “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”  Revelation 5:12

     Then they all joined together to proclaim the greatness of God and the worthiness of the Lamb.

     “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever.”  Revelation 5:13b

     These events occur at the beginning of the great tribulation.  The final book of the Bible describes the battle fought by the ‘Lamb’ during and near the end of the tribulation.

     The future antichrist is given great power so as to illustrate the greater power of the Lamb.  The antichrist will be worshipped at that time by all who dwell on the earth except God’s elect.

     “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”  Revelation 13:8

     Note that the plan for Christ to be the Passover Lamb was ordained even before man was created, placed on the earth and sinned.

     During the tribulation men will not humble themselves before God and the Lamb but will rather wish for death thinking that death will end their torment.

     They (all deceived men) said to the mountains and rocks:

     “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!  For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”  Revelation 6:16

     As the end of the tribulation approaches, the Lamb will appear as a mighty Warrior and King as He returns to reclaim all that He paid for at Calvary.

     “Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.  And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.  He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”  Revelation 19:15

     Thus the tribulation will end; antichrist is cast into the lake of fire, and the millennial kingdom will begin.

     After the millennium and Satan’s final defeat, New Jerusalem will descend from heaven for all eternity.

     “And he showed me a pure river of water of life…proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”  Revelation 22:1

     Within the heavenly city will be the trinity, i.e. God the Father, God the Son (the Lamb), and God the Spirit (the Water of Life).

     Paradise regained only better, and eternal.