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January 2009

Jesus: Lamb and Lion

Reading the book of Revelation is like watching a drama that unfolds into seven Acts each opening with an introduction. Chapters 4 and 5 represent one of the longest introductions of the entire book. In fact, at the opening of the curtain, as in a drama, the second Act takes place, which extends from 4:1 to 8:1. In this new Act, there are seven scenes, each describing the seven seals of a mysterious scroll. As usual, almost all of the introductions in Revelation start with something that opens “in heaven” (4:1). In this instance, John is invited to go through a “door”, to enter the room “where a throne stood in heaven”. The role of the introduction is extremely important because it is meant to show us that everything that happens ‘on the earth’ takes place under the full control of “heaven”. All the trials, the tribulations, the plagues, the famine, beasts of various types, earthquakes, smoke, fear and tears fade in the sight of the heavenly throne surrounded by a peaceful and colorful rainbow like an emerald (4:3).

Just as a way of digression, let me say how much trouble we would save ourselves if we could fully understand the meaning of this introduction. How soothing it would be if everyone could read these introductions in the ‘apocalyptic book’ and dispel fear and apprehension about the end of the world, demonic powers, some mysterious 1000 years, a dragon chained in heaven and Dante-like infernal beasts. For instance, why worry about how to understand a futuristic concept of a ‘thousand years’ (Rev. 20:2), when our Lord himself told us to have thoughts about this present day? I guess, the Apostle Peter had some kind of premonition about how far some people could go with futuristic ‘millenialist’ games when he said that one thousand years is like one day and one day is like one thousand years. Jesus seemed rather to encourage people to really get ‘in touch’ with the present day and worry about presenting themselves accepted to God now. Why worry now, about what is going to happen then, to the Christians during that long span of time in the future? Wouldn’t it be better and more helpful to embrace what the Lord has for us today, since “now is the day of salvation" (II Cor. 6:1)? Of course, the concept of 1000 years in Revelation is important and is the Word of God! But, what about, “the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain” that will bind “the dragon” for that same amount of years? It too is important and is the Word of God! The question therefore stands: why does the presence of an actual ‘chain’ in heaven seem ridiculous to accept literally, while a span of one ‘thousand years’ creates no problems to interpret literally? And what about flying creatures like a menacing medieval dragon? But, enough with this digression.

In chapter 4 God is revealed as the Creator of the universe, Sovreign and omnipotent, worthy to receive adoration. In chapter 5, God is proclaimed Redeemer of humanity and enters the history of human beings as the Savior.

The scroll that God has in his right hand (5:1) it is completely sealed and cannot be read (in chapt. 6, it is opened and read by the Lamb, the only one worthy to read it). What was written in the book? We do not know precisely. Nobody knows the content of that book, even today. Many suggest that the book contained the complete revelation of the plan of God between the first and the second coming of Jesus. The seven seals must be opened before the reading of the book. Of course, we can speculate and have some weird opinions about it, but it would be a vain exercise even to try. The only person (or should we say ‘animal’ for those who like to interpret literally) worthy to open the book, “is the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (5:5) with all his strength and majesty (Gen. 49:8-10) “…the root of David has conquered” and it is He who executes the plan of God and governs. Jesus, the conqueror, has won on the cross, over sin, death, the Devil, the Roman law and the Emperors. So Jesus is introduced as a roaring Lion by one of the elders trying to comfort the weeping apostle. He is the only one who is worthy to open the book. Maybe John, still wiping his tears away seeks to see the sight of a terrifying Lion, but instead sees a docile Lamb standing in the place of Lion (5:6). In truth the government of God is through the Lamb (22:1), but let us remember that in the eyes of man, Jesus is a docile Lamb but in the sight of God, he is a roaring Lion. How important it is to have these two pictorial images in our minds and hearts. Let us not be fooled or overwhelmed by those who would reject the Lamb and try to make “war against the Lamb” (Rev. 17:14) because they will not succeed. Revelation says that he is the Lord of lords and King of kings and I humbly add, ‘a warrior Lion’.

It is not surprising to see the gladness of the four living creatures and the 24 elders as they sing three songs to God the Creator expressing their praise and adoration (4:9-14) and also each playing a harp, singing a new song to our Redeemer!