A preacher was showing a child a painting of Jesus. Trying to explain that we didn’t really know what Jesus looked like he said: "It's not really Jesus. It’s just an artist's conception of him."
The child looked long and hard at the picture and said; "Well, it sure looks like him,"
(Dick Van Dyke R.Digest 2/71 p. 232)
Most people have a picture in their mind of what Jesus looked like. But – if they saw a picture of what John describes Jesus to be in Revelation 5 - that wouldn’t be what they’d imagine.
At the beginning of this chapter, John is weeping because it seemed no one could be found who was worthy to open the mighty book. Then one of the elders said to him,
“Weep no more; 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
(We showed a picture of a lion with Jesus in the background)
Now I can get into Jesus being the Lion of Judah.
Lions are regal, powerful, majestic. They’re cool!
But when John looks around… he doesn’t see a Lion does he?
What does John see? (a lamb)
“… between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” Revelation 5:6
(We showed a picture of the lamb described here – with 7 horns and 7 eyes)
Now take a look at this lamb.
That Lamb doesn’t look in the least bit normal does it?
It doesn’t look in the least like how I would picture Jesus.
So… is this really how Jesus looks?
Well… yes.
And no.
You see, Revelation is a book of imagery.
Most of what it tells us is not meant to be taken literally.
Now there are TV evangelists and teachers of Revelation who try to teach that practically everything in Revelation is literal. And if you were to suggest to them that some part of Revelation should be seen as a spiritual picture God was painting… those prophetic teachers would ridicule and criticize you. (I’ve heard them do it).
But this is definitely not a literal snapshot of how Jesus actually would look in heaven.
This is a spiritual portrait of WHO Jesus is.
ILLUS: How many of you have ever been to the fair and seen one of those artists who will make a drawing of you for $5 or so. Have you ever had your portrait done?
Does it look exactly like you?
No, it doesn’t does it?
It’s called a “Caricature “ (We showed a Caricature on screen).
What the artist does is take one of your physical characteristics and magnifies it.
If you have bushy eyebrows… they are larger than life.
If you have a strong chin… they give you a BIG chin.
If you have toothy smile… they give LOTS of teeth.
And it’s all in fun and almost everybody will take it home, frame it and put it on the wall someplace.
Now, what we have here in Revelation 5 is a portrait of Christ where the artist is essentially making the TRUTHS about Jesus to be larger than life.
Notice – He is the Lamb that was slain.
This is a repeated image of Christ in the Scriptures
In John 1:29 we’re told that John the Baptist “…saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the LAMB of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
In Isaiah 53:7 which goes into great detail describing the coming Messiah, we’re told:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a LAMB before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.”
And throughout Revelation… Jesus is repeatedly referred to as THE LAMB
• Rev 7:10 “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
• Rev 7:17 “… the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd…
• Rev 12:11 “… (Christians) have conquered (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb…”
• Rev 19:7 “…the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready”
• Rev 21:27 tells us that the only ones who will enter heaven will be “… those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
This is the IMAGE that God wants to BURN into our minds.
When we see Jesus in heaven he’s NOT going to be a literal LAMB.
But that is the picture of WHO Jesus really is to us.
He is the Lamb of God who took away our sins.
Now I can grasp that.
But then we get to this 7 horns and 7 eyes thing… that’s a little to wrap my mind around.
(we showed the picture of the 7 horned and eyed lamb again)
What’s this all about?
Well, let’s take this one step at a time.
Let’s consider the horns.
Most scholars will tell you that a HORN in scripture stands for power or authority.
Several times in prophecy a King and his power is symbolized by a horn.
So the horns on the lamb symbolize the power and authority that Jesus has.
Then there’s the EYES.
We’re told that these are “…the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
Now, I’m going to be honest with you… I haven’t got a clue what that “7 spirits” thing is all about/ what it means. And most of the commentaries I read didn’t seem have a good explanation of it either.
But I do know what an EYE does.
Do you know what an eye does? (it lets you see)
And this Lamb doesn’t just have just 1 or 2 eyes… He has 7 over them.
That would seem to symbolize the fact that Jesus can see much more than you or I can.
Then there’s the NUMBER 7,
There are SEVEN horns and SEVEN eyes.
Most scholars will tell you that SEVEN is one of the numbers that’s tied to who God is
ILLUS: SIX is considered the number of MAN because man was created on 6th day. But SEVEN seems to be God’s number because God rested created the world in 6 days and then rested… on the 7TH DAY.
(PAUSE)
SEVEN is also considered to be the number of completeness and perfection
So essentially – the 7 horns and the 7 eyes on the Lamb of God are meant to symbolize the divinity, the power and omniscience of Jesus.
This Lamb Is All About Who Jesus Is.
He is the Lamb of God who was slain for our sins.
He is God in the flesh.
He is ALL POWERFUL.
And He is ALL SEEING.
But it doesn’t stop there.
This picture is of Jesus is that He is WORTHY of our worship and praise.
We’re told that the 24 elders and the 4 Living Creatures who stood around the throne all fell down before Jesus … and they sang a new song,
“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…
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “WORTHY is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Revelation 5:9-13
Everybody in heaven and on earth, and under the earth and in the seas…
Men and Angels, and Creatures of every kind …
are singing and shouting praises to the Lamb of God.
Everywhere you look there is worship and rejoicing OF Jesus!
HE IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE!!!
Amen?
Amen!
Now, why is that important?
Let me remind of what I told you last week.
Chapter 4 starts out with these words:
“… the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” Revelation 4:1
Jesus tells John that he’s going to show him “what must take place after this”.
But the first thing we’re shown is the throne room of God.
It’s a wondrous place of sights and sounds and power and praise.
Then in chapter 5 we’re shown this book that NO ONE can open.
And John weeps because he senses how critical it is to have this book opened.
And then an angel tells John not to weep because the Lion Of Judah (that’s Jesus) is WORTHY
(PAUSE…)
But I thought that Jesus was going to show us what must take place.
Why take us to the throne room and spend 2 chapters on THIS STUFF?
Why not focus on the IMPORTANT THINGS we want to know about?
Do you know why?
Jesus did this because THIS IS the important stuff.
Revelation 5 focuses on Jesus, because Jesus is the focus of Revelation.
He is the pivot point of everything else that’s going on here.
The Beast, the Whore of Babylon, the Mark of 666, those are all minor characters and events in the story God is telling us.
You see, Revelation is all about telling God’s people – there are rough times are ahead.
Satan isn’t going to go down easy.
When we get to chapter 12 we find Satan is intent on destroying God’s people.
But Satan can’t get it done.
You know why????
Because “… they have conquered (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Revelation 12:11
They conquered Satan by WHAT?
(By the blood of the Lamb)
Revelation is all about Jesus.
Later in Revelation we find that there’s a beast and there’s a whore of Babylon, and there’s all kinds of enemies and villains that will attempt to destroy God’s church.
This is an echo of what Jesus told His disciples:
“In this world you will have trouble…”
But do you remember the rest of what Jesus said:
“But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
That’s essentially what Revelation is saying to every church, in every age, in every nation.
You will have trouble.
There will be circumstances that will be too much for you.
There will be forces in this world you will NOT be able to control.
You will face persecution.
You might spend some time in prison.
You might even lose your possessions - or even your life - because you belong to Jesus.
There’s pictures in Revelation of Christians who become martyrs for their faith.
God is not pulling any punches in painting this picture for us.
But before God introduces us to the difficulties we'll face, He takes us into His throne room and introduces you to the Lamb who was slain for our sins.
Why?
Because Revelation is declaring: TAKE HEART!
God is on His throne.
Jesus has stepped up.
And all the forces of Heaven are in play on our behalf.
We are NOT on the losing side - even though there will be times it will seem that way.
The problem is… too many Christians think that Jesus came into their lives so that they’d be assured of a “good” life where they’d have all the money they need in their 401K, a beautiful family, a wonderful home, and a great car.
But it doesn’t always work out that way.
Revelation says that life may not always been easy and comfortable.
In fact, Revelation’s message is that: this isn’t about having an easy life.
(PAUSE)
This is all about being part of something that’s bigger than you are
You see - there’s a war on folks.
And war is never pleasant.
We are called to be the soldiers of the King.
And we have an enemy – his name is Satan.
We have a task at hand – storming the gates of Hell - we are taking back the people Satan has enslaved to do his will.
If you think Satan is going to roll over play dead for you… you got another thing coming.
But the promise is this:
“You will conquer (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of (your) testimony, for (you have) loved not (your) lives even unto death.” Revelation 12:11
Satan is the big bad bully on the block.
His intention is to take you out, beat you up, and then demand your lunch money.
But Revelation’s message is that no matter how big and bad Satan may be.
Jesus is bigger and Jesus is badder.
And you are on the winning team.
No matter what happens to you in this earthly life you will come away the winner in this contest because YOU HAVE JESUS on your side!
CLOSE: I want to close with a story about a young man named Nadin Khoury.
That’s an unusual name, and there’s a reason for that. Nadin’s mother is an immigrant from Liberia which she fled because of the violence and death that threatened her life. She eventually moved to a rough neighborhood in Philadelphia.
Nadin was 13 years old, 5 foot 2 and weighed about 100 pounds sopping wet. His mother was an unemployed immigrant. They talked “funny”, they looked different and that made Nadin an easy target for the bullies in the area.
The tough kids began by hazing him mercilessly day after day and then – one day- they beat him up. There were 7 of them and they hit, and kicked beat him for 30 minutes. He never stood a chance. They dragged him through the snow, they stuffed him into a tree, and suspended him on a 7-foot wrought-iron fence.
Khoury survived the attack and would have likely faced a few more beatings… except that one of the bullies decided to post the attack on YouTube. The police saw it and got involved. The troublemakers landed in jail, and the story reached the papers.
A staffer at the nationwide morning show “The View” read the account and invited Khoury to appear on the broadcast. During the show, they showed the video of the assault on the screen behind him. Nadin tried to appear brave, but his lower lip quivered. “Next time maybe it could be somebody smaller than me,” he said.
What Koury didn’t know was that the producer had invited some other citizens of Philadelphia to appear on the show as well. When YouTube video ended, the curtain opened, and three huge men walked out.
They were members of the Philadelphia Eagles football team.
Khoury, was a rabid fan of the team, and he turned and smiled at them. One was All-Pro receiver DeSean Jackson. Jackson took a seat on the couch as close to the boy as possible and promised him, “Anytime you need us, I got two linemen right here.”
Then Jackson signed a football jersey and handed it to him.
Then in full view of every bully in America, he gave the boy his cell phone number. From that day forward Khoury has been only a call away from his personal bodyguards. Thugs would think twice before they’d harass the kid who had an NFL football player’s phone number on speed dial.
(Max Lucado, (2015). “Glory Days: Living Your Promised Land Life Now.” Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
My point is this – you have someone bigger and more imposing than an NFL player on speed dial. You have the Son of God and all of heaven watching over you. When life gets tough – and it will – God tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us. He will always be there for you.
But unless you belong to God… that won’t be true of you. That’s why we offer a time of invitation at the end of every service.
