March 27, 2024
Praying Friends,
One of the precious titles given to our Lord Jesus in the Bible is that of the Lamb. John the Apostle opens his gospel by recording the words of John the Baptist when identifying Jesus on the banks of Jordan saying, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
Interestingly, in the book of Revelation, John expands on this title and uses it over 30 times in various ways to deepen our understanding and appreciation for the Lord Jesus.
In Chapter 5, John writes about the worth of the Lamb. “In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise” (Revelation 5:12).
The scene was sobering: John was weeping. The angel was proclaiming and asking, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (Revelation 5:2). These sealed scrolls were the judgments that would decimate the world, and the only one able to break these seals was the one with the authority to execute them.
The Lamb, who is also described as the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah,” the rightful heir to the throne (Revelation 5:5), took the scroll and the whole assembly of heaven began to sing a new song saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10).
How blessed that we who are redeemed have already begun to sing this anthem of praise here and now!
In Chapter 6, John writes about the wrath of the Lamb. “They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb” (Revelation 6:16).
This is the chapter that describes the unleashing of the Lamb's anger on an unrepentant, godless world that has persistently rejected God. It is uncharacteristic to associate the outpouring of wrath with an animal like a gentle lamb, but in this case, the Lamb is Jesus, who Himself experienced the wrath of God on the cross.
This will be a terrible day of immense sadness. Thankfully, all who are sheltered in Christ will escape this day of judgment. (These judgments are described throughout the book from chapters 6-20 culminating in the judgment of the Great White Throne.)
In Chapter 21, John writes about the wife of the Lamb. “One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:9).
The wife of the Lamb? The Bride? That would be you and me, along with every other believer in Christ. We will live with the Lamb, the Bridegroom, for the ages to come.
It is a beautiful place described as a magnificent city, pure, radiant, and beautiful. “It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal” (Revelation 21:11). We are told that there will be no temple because the Lamb will be our dwelling place. Nor will there be need of the sun because the Lamb will be the light of this place (Revelation 21:22-23).
Nothing impure will enter this city, only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life (Revelation 21:27). We who have been cleansed and covered by the blood of the Lamb will enjoy the fullness of our Savior forever.
Lastly, in Chapter 22, John writes about the wealth of the Lamb. “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1).
All that Adam and Eve lost in the garden of Eden back in Genesis 3, Christ will restore on this day. It will literally be paradise restored. The Lamb will be on the throne and all blessing, fullness, and resources will flow from Him. There will be a constant and abundant supply for every need.
According to verse 3, we will joyfully serve Him from hearts fully healed, and He will receive all the glory. This is our eternal day! Let’s keep our eyes on the Lamb until we see Him face-to-face (Revelation 22:4).
Thank you for praying for our prodigals and for revival among us.
Love in Christ,
Bryan and Rachel