The Throne of God and of the Lamb: Rev. 2:21
In Revelations chapter 5 the Apostle John, by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rev.4:1), continues the grace and truth of the Lamb (Jn.1:14). John is carried in spirit into heaven, and there he looks and sees in the right hand of God a book.
The question is raised to the multitude of the hosts of Heaven: “Who is worthy to open the book?” (Rev. 5:2). Searching through all the multitudes of the redeemed, John can find “no man in Heaven” worthy to open the book. Then John searches through earth, but no worthy man is found.
John begins to weep, but he hears one of the elders saying, “Weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to open the book” (Rev.5:5). John turns to the throne expecting to see the all-prevailing Lion, but “in the midst of the throne…..stood a Lamb as if it had just been freshly slain” (Rev. 5:6).
The Lion that prevails is the Lamb that was slain!
It is then, no wonder that God the Holy Spirit, through Paul in Acts 20:32 does not commend them to ANY ORDER OF MEN, not even the apostles or their successors, or to general councils or their decrees, or to the fathers (see Mat. 23:9, also 10, “masters”) or their traditions (see Mat. 15:6;Mk. 7:13), or to “doctors” (see the only places in Scripture where men are called “doctors” Lk. 2:46; 5:17; Ac. 5:34) or their dogmas.
The enemy always accuses (Rev. 12:10) those who Christ has won in salvation that in some area they are not worthy. Yes!—all our worth is in the Lamb of God!
Part 2
On earth John had heard the words, “Behold the Lamb of God” spoken by John the Baptist. (Jn. 1:29, see the types in Ex. 12:1-13). He had followed the Lamb in His humiliation. (Mt. 4:19; Mk. 1:17; Phil. 2:5-11). He had stood at the foot of the Cross and been a witness of the Lamb in His sufferings. (Jn. 19:26-27). He had seen Him when men pierced His hands and feet—those that He had used in service to His Father (Jn. 8:29; Rom. 15:3) and to multitudes (Mt. 27:42; Mk. 8:22-25; Ps. 22:16), never using them for Himself. He had seen Jesus as the risen Man on the evening of the resurrection day when Jesus showed His disciples the wound marks in His hands and feet (Jn. 20:19-20-29).
Now, transported to heaven to (Rev. 4:1-11), surrounded by the multitudes of the redeemed (Rev. 5:1-14), and thousands upon millions of angels—in the very center of heavenly glory—he sees a Lamb, as if it had just been freshly slain (Rev. 5:6).
He sees Jesus (Heb. 2:9-18; 12:1-2) with the wound marks in His hands and feet, THE ONLY MAN IN ALL THAT ETERNAL GLORY Who will bear any trace of the sorrows of time. The eternal, ever reminder of the so great love of God for man (Jn. 3:16), so great love for you and I (Rom. 8:31-39).
Part 3
As John gazes with adoring wonder, he hears the great host of the redeemed break forth with worshipful singing (Heb. 13:14=15)—the ever new song—the song of the Lamb—“You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your Blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Rev. 5:9.
The angels can’t sing this song like those of us who are redeemed, but they cannot keep silent when it is sung, and so John hears a fresh burst of praise in which all Heaven joins—the living creatures, the blood-bought saints (all those believers in Christ the Lamb, Heb. 9:22; 1 Cor. 6:19-20), the angels—all join as with a loud voice they cry out, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing “ Rev. 5:12.
Earth cannot remain silent when Heaven is telling the glories of the Lamb, and so there is another burst of praise that John hears. This time all created beings in heaven and earth join in one great anthem of praise to God and the Lamb, saying, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb unto the ages of the ages” Rev. 5:13.
The four living creatures add their “Amen” to this three-fold burst of praise, and the blood-bought saints, with hearts filled to overflowing (Ps. 23:5) “fell down and WORSHIPPED HIM THAT IS THE LIVING ETERNAL ONE” Rev. 5:14.
Part 4
Following on in the book of Revelation, further glories of the Lamb pass before our very eyes. (Mt. 13:16; 6:22). The scene changes from Heaven to earth and we are permitted to see the Lamb in His power (Mt. 28:18; 1 Cor. 1:24; Jn. 5:22-27) and in His wrath (Jn. 3:36; 1 Th. 1:10; 5:9), executing judgment.
It is the Lamb that opens the seals and allows judgment to take its course. (Rev. 6:1). It is before the wrath of the Lamb the nations cry out in terror. (Rev. 6:16; For us in Christ, 1 Jn. 4:17-18; 1 Th. 1:10; 5:9). Eventually, it is against the Lamb (Mt. 12:30; Mk. 9:40) that the nations, under the leadership of the beast (Rev. 19:20), make war only to be overcome (versus us in Christ, Rev. 12:11; Rom. 8:37; Col. 2:14-15; Rev. 3:21=22, the importance of hearing and obeying), and to discover that the Lamb of God—the One they had despised and nailed to a cross (Jn. 18:40; 19:15-30; 1 Cor. 2:7=8)— is the Lord of lords and King of kings (Rev. 17:14; 19:16).
Once again the scene changes from earth to Heaven, and we are permitted to see new and great and fresh glories of the Lamb. The destruction of the false professing church (versus the true confessing Church (1 Jn. 1:9;4:1-3; 5:20 versus 21) on earth makes way for the marriage of the Lamb (Mt. 25:1-13), the presentation to Christ in glory of the true Church (Eph. 5:25-26-27; S.S.4:7=Num. 19:1-2).
In this great scene there passes before us the bride, the Lamb’s wife (Rev. 19:7), the marriage of the Lamb, and the supper of the Lamb. (Rev 19:9).
The word “bride” presents the Church as the object of Christ’s intimate love (Gal. 2:20-21). As such He loved it (Jn. 13:1) and gave Himself for it (Eph. 5:25; Rom. 8:31-39), “that He might (and will) present it to Himself a glorious Church (Col. 1:27; Jn. 17:22-26), not having spot, or wrinkle, or ANY SUCH THING (1 Jn. 3:1-3).
Part 5
One more scene remains to tell the further glories of the Lamb. John is carried to a great and high mountain to see the bride, the Lamb’s wife, but what he actually sees is “that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from God” Rev. 21:10.
He tells of its jasper walls great and high, he speaks of its gates of pearls, the streets of gold, and the foundations garnished with all manner of precious stones. It is a symbol of the church displayed in glory, but more than that, it speaks of the glory of the Lamb displayed in the church—HIS CHURCH—Mt. 16:18.
“The Lamb is the light thereof” Rev. 21:23. How could the gold and the pearls and the precious stones display their beauty (Ps. 45:13; 149:4; Col. 1:27) apart from the light? (Gn. 1:3-4; Jn. 1:5; 8:12; Ps. 27:1; 1 Jn. 1:5, 7).
“In the midst of all the glories of this celestial city, I saw the Lamb." The One well known to us (Jn. 10:3-4, 14, 27; 8:32; 17:17; Jn. 1:1-2,14) in the days of His pilgrim journey (Jn. 17:14; 1 Pet. 2:11), the One who walked with us (1 P. 2:21; 1 Jn. 2:6; Ps. 37:23), and talked with us (Jn. 10:1-18), who dwelt among us—that One, filled up with all that grace and truth is (Jn. 1:14), who shared with us our poverty (Jn. 1:46; Mt. 8:20), who stayed faithful to us when we were weak (Joel 3:10; 2 Cor. 12:9; Heb. 13:5; 12:1-3), and wept with us in our sorrows (Ps. 56:8; Jn. 11:35), the One who loved us (Jn. 13:1) and gave Himself for us (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 8:31-39; Ps.56:9)—this is the One I saw in the midst of the city—the Lamb of God.”
The glories of the city may captivate our minds, the absence of all evil will surely satisfy the conscience, but the Presence of the Lamb will alone satisfy our affections, and make every saint (all sanctified believers) at home (Jn. 14:1-3; Col. 3:16) in the midst of these transcendent glories.
We will see the glories of the city, we will see the river of life and the tree of life, but above all we will see the Lamb—we will “see His face” (Rev. 22:3; 1 Cor. 13:12; Pr. 27:19). This is God’s Lamb (Gn. 22:8) made ours in salvation (Jn. 3:16; Rev. 22:17)—the crucified, risen (Mt. 28:6; Jn. 11:25-26), ascended (Eph. 1:20-23;4:9), and glorified Lamb (Jn. 13:31-32; 17:4-5, 24).
Part 6
Who should behold God's Lamb?
John the Baptist said, "Behold the Lamb of God" (Jn. 1:29, 36). To "behold" something means to look at, to observe, or watch carefully. Well, then, who should take a closer look at Jesus, God's Lamb?
The careless person who lives in neglect of God and the Offerer of His Lamb, the ONLY ONE who could save them from their sins and eternal hell and the lake of fire (Gen. 22:8; Ac. 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5; Rev. 20:11-15).
Those who live in neglect of God and His ONLY OFFER live in neglect of their own souls and know little of the true evil nature of sin (Ps. 51:4-5; 58:3; 97:10; Rom. 5:12-21).
But let careless sinners view the Son of God leaving Heaven's glory (Jn. 1:1-14-17; Eph. 4:9) and assuming a human nature (never a sin-nature, never of the fallen human race—Lk. 1:35; Jn. 1:14; Heb. 4:15, an impeccable human nature—(See the types that Jesus fulfilled as the Anti-type in Ex. 12:1-13; 25:17-22; Num. 19:1-2) to atone for sin (Lev. 4:20; 23:28; Num. 8:21; Rom. 5:11); let them go to Gethsemane and behold Him in a bloody sweat through the agonies of His soul (Lk. 22:44); let them follow Him to Calvary's Cross, and hear Him crying out with a loud voice, "My God, My God! Why have You forsaken Me?" (Ps. 22:1; Mt. 27:46).
Let them see Him dying under the curse and condemnation of the law (Dt. 21:23; Gal. 3:13 = Rom. 10:4; 2 Cor. 3:7-9); and then let them judge whether sin is "no big deal," that His deep love for them didn't matter. Let them behold Him whom they have pierced and mourn (Rev. 1:7; Ps. 22:16)—but receive Him as their ONLY SAVIOR and have godly sorrow without the regret of worldly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10; 5:14-15).
Part 7
Who should behold God's Lamb? Jn. 1:29, 36.
The self-righteous (Ex. 19:8; 24:3; 32:9; Dt. 32:9; Ac. 7:51; Is. 1:5-6; Jer. 17:9; Ac. 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5; Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 2:1-29; 3:1-31; 5:1-21; 11:1-35).
It is strange that anyone who calls themself a "Christian" should expect to receive salvation through "good works."
Why then should the Lamb of God have come down from Heaven to atone for our sins if sin could have been taken away by any righteousness of ours? (Is. 64:6).
To trust in our own "merits" (Pr. 3:5-8; Mk. 11:22; Gal. 2:16) or "religious" works of any kind, thinking (1 Cor. 2:9-14-16; 2 Cor. 10:5-6) that our place in Heaven can be earned (Heb. 10:29) as a "reward" or bought at any price (Is. 55:1-2), is an insult to God and His Lamb. Let the self-righteous person renounce all vain hopes (Rom. 5:1-5; Col. 1:27), and rather "behold the Lamb," trusting His all-atoning sacrifice entirely (Eph. 2:8-9-10; Phil. 2:12-13).
Part 8
Who should behold God's Lamb?
The burdened and broken should behold God's Lamb (Mt. 11:28-30; Ps. 34:18; 51:17; Is. 66:1-2).
What sight can be greater to a humble (Ja. 4:6-10; 1P. 5:6-10) and repentant (Rom. 2:4) sinner than the sight of Jesus dying in the sinner's place? (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 2:9-18). Let the burdened and broken soul come at once to find rest in the Savior (Gen. 2:1-2; Zeph. 3:17; Jn. 13:23; Heb. 4:1-16).
The Lamb of God was appointed to be the sin-bearer (Ex. 12:1-13; 2 Cor. 5:21), and He stands ready, willing, and able to take away the sin of all who will behold Him in faith (Mk. 11:22; Mt. 7:24-27; Eph. 2:8-10; Heb. 11:1, 6). View Him as He is—infinite in both power (Mt. 28:18; 1Cor. 1:24; 1P. 1:5; Jn. 10:17-18) and grace (Jn. 1:14-17; Eph. 2:8-10; 1P. 5:10).
Listen to His encouraging invitation: Jn. 6:37, "All that the Father gives Me (Jn. 17:6) will come to Me; and him that comes to Me I will in no way cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me" (Jn. 4:34; 19:30).
39 And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that of all which He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.