Thursday: The Lamb, the Slain Lamb
There are many symbols in Revelation, biblical symbols of importance; that is, a dragon in heaven (Revelation 12:3-4, Revelation 12:7), angels flying in the midst of heaven (Revelation 14:6), a woman riding a scarlet beast (Revelation 17:3), and so forth. They are in the Word of God; the Holy Spirit inspired John to put them there, and they have important roles in revealing truth to those who read the words of this book and do them, for, as it says, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3, NKJV).
There is, however, another image that appears, over and over, all through the book of Revelation. What is the image, and what does it represent?
Read Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 5:12; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 14:1; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:22-23; and Revelation 22:1, Revelation 22:3. What is the meaning of the symbolism of the lamb, and why would it appear so many times in the book of Revelation?
Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com
Of course, as the opening words of the book say, this is a revelation “of Jesus Christ.” And not only a Lamb, but a Lamb “slain” (Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:12; Revelation 13:8). That is, Jesus Christ crucified. Here is the heart and soul, not only of all the Bible, but of the book of Revelation and of the three angels’ messages. We cannot be faithful to our calling, we cannot do the work that God has raised up this church to do, unless we have the Lamb, the slain Lamb, Jesus crucified, a sacrifice for our sins, as the focal point of our message.
“We must intentionally place the Lamb that was slain at the very center of our doctrines and mission and at the heart of every sermon we preach, every article we write, every prayer we make, every song we sing, every Bible study we give, and in everything we do. Let the love revealed by the Lamb on the cross transform the way we treat each other and move us to also care for the world.” — Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, “The Closing of the Cosmic Conflict: Role of the Three Angels’ Messages,” unpublished manuscript, p. 70.
That is, amid the imagery of dangerous beasts, of a dragon making war, of plagues, of persecution, and of the mark of the beast, there remains front and center the Lamb, the Lamb slain. And He alone, and what He has done for us, is doing now, and will do before it’s all over — He is, ultimately, what the three angels’ messages are about.
| Why is keeping the slain Lamb at the center of our message crucial not only for leading others to it but also for your own spiritual life? |
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I have heard some pretty whacky sermons on end-time events during my lifetime. Most of the ones that I remember were when the preacher was trying to sensationalise end-time events. Back in 1974 (yes I know I am old) I remember this preacher preaching a sermon based on the idea that clairvoyants and astrologers were unable to predict anything beyond 1980. The minister, who was an acquaintance of mine, came to me after the service and asked me what I thought of that. I wasn't so gracious in those days and told him that I thought it was a lot of nonsense. (actually I remember using a bit of Aussie vernacular language which I won't use here) It did not seem to occur to my minister friend that clairvoyants and the like are mainly interested in telling people what they want to hear about next week, not what is going to happen in a few years time.
The main thrust of my argument was that we were scraping the bottle of the barrel if we are going to use the activities (or lack of) of clairvoyants and astrologers to predict the nearness of Christ's coming. It is about as biblically based as date setting.
There are other sermons of similar dubious quality that I won't mention here because it would distract from what I really want to say.
I think that this series of lessons is ending in the right place. It is focusing on Jesus, the slain lamb. The central theme of Christianity is Jesus. We may argue about the mechanism of salvation but one essential stands out. God loves us to the extent that he was willing to sacrifice existence itself to provide salvation for us. And in doing so he set an example of self-sacrificing love so that we too can live a rich rewarding life in him now.
Christianity is about following Jesus now because that is all the time we have. Jesus should be at the centre of our preaching, but more importantly at the centre of our lives.
Paul said:
Today's phrase is, "Let the love revealed by the Lamb on the cross transform the way we treat each other and move us to also care for the world."
As a God Who cares so much for His creatures, and we all are His creatures, may we grow in respect and empathy because His ultimate sacrifice was made for all! Everyone is unique to Him!
Throughout this quarter a common thread running throughout these discussions has been the danger of developing an attitude of ‘saved by membership in the SDA church or through expert knowledge of the prophecies’. Keeping the Lamb slain at the center of our own spiritual life ultimately saves us as we are kept in a constant state of humility knowing that we have absolutely no power to save ourselves. Meditating on this love God has demonstrated through the Lamb slain will turn our hearts and entire lives to Him in love and obedience.
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32
I like the author putting Christ front and center. Seems as though this is the theme this week. Making Chist utmost in our lives is more important than understanding all the symbols, hidden messages, and verbiage. My thoughts go back to the authors simple message still ring in my ears, his words of several years ago, "Revelation is all about Christ victorious". Revelation being all about Christ winning, it makes sense that Revelation has important messages for us to be victorous through the blood of the Lamp.
The value of the many parables, explainations, illustrations, and mini sermons we have all given this quarter is given in Paul's prayer.
"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return."
Philippians 1:9.
Philippians 1:10.
John writes; "Revelation is all about Christ victorious". Revelation being all about Christ winning, it makes sense that Revelation has important messages for us to be victorous through the blood of the Lamp.“
Thank you, John, Revelation is not about whether we get the dates exactly right, or if we get the churches dates correct or whether this is the last generation or not.!.!.!
Let us all keep our focus on Jesus and him crucified.
Royce
“Why is keeping the slain Lamb at the center of our message crucial not only for the leading others to it but also for your own spiritual life?” Because the Lamb is RISEN!! When it was finished, His Life of His Resurrection began, and so it will be now for all who are found written in the Lamb's Book of Life!
His suffering and death are not the end of the Salvation story, they are the beginning, the final proof that God’s Grace is sufficient for even the sinners who have slain the Son of God; all who repent from their sins can be forgiven and raised up from their grave and given the gift of eternal life.
Let us not stop short by elevating Christ’s sufferings on the cross above the Father’s Will to by Grace forgive the sinner's deed! Let us remember that all sinners are saved by the marvelous, incomprehensible, wonderful Glory and Grace of our heavenly Father who raised His Son to show us that He loves us, even though we put His Son to the death of the cross.
I absolutely agree that we must keep Jesus front and center in our relationship with God. However, even the demons believe that Jesus was crucified for mankind and they tremble. But they are not saved. See James 2:19. So merely having that belief does not save the person, We need knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the whole message of the crucified Savior. The knowledge of the teachings of our Savior must of course be more than mental acknowledgment, it must be implanted by the Holy Spirit in the heart and life.
We need the whole message concerning Christ's sacrifice, His life of love and service, and His entire plan of salvation in regards to the eradication of sin.
So let's not dismiss Scriptural understanding which not only reveals Christ's work but also reveals the forces that oppose His work. This knowledge was made available to help us avoid being deceived.
It's a package deal.
It is the Lamb that gives us hope and life.
Without the Lamb there would be nothing but a short and misery filled life here on earth. He IS everything!
All the texts mentioned in the lesson that speak of the Lamb, were a real inspiration to read all at once.
But I noticed one very special text depicting the Lamb was omitted.
It really puts the end time scene in a nutshell.
There is going to be a huge confederacy of powers fighting against the people of the Lamb.
But....the Lamb is victorious, He will overcome them.
Where do we stand in that battle.
Those who win with the Lamb are called, chosen and faithful.
All humanity is called. Whosoever will is invited to come.. (Rev. 22:17)
Those who come are chosen to be on the Lamb's team.
But there is a third step: Those who win with Christ will be faithful! And only those who are faithful are victorious with the Lamb!
Those who are unfaithful compromised when the pressure was on, and switched, and play for the wrong team.
Sarah, when you mentioned "God demonstrates", Romans 5 comes to mind, especially Romans 5:8. It has been such a meaningful chapter and verse to me!
When He was on the cross, I (we) were on His mind.
Kudos to you, Tom. Your suggestion of a song written by Ronald Payne and Ronny Hinson is worth keeping on our minds, and it is my prayer, attitude, message, and mini sermon, too.