THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN

The graphic scene in Revelation chapters 4 and 5 is heart-stopping. Swept into God’s regal palace, John describes a throne set in heaven upon which sat a personage who seemed to be a living flame; see Ezek. 1. 26-28. The yellow shades of the jasper blend into the roseate hues of the sardius. Is this another inclusion, mentioning the first and last stones of the High Priest’s breastplate? The stones belong to Reuben, behold a son, and to Benjamin, son of my right hand.

Around the throne glistens a rainbow-like ring of emerald light. Emerald is the stone of Judah and those who see its unbroken circle cannot help but think that this must be the God of the eternal covenant, and that, for those gathered here, the storms are all past. Burning before the throne are seven lamps, the seven-fold Spirit of God.

But there is more. Twenty-four thrones ring the Supreme One, with white-robed elders wearing gold crowns, 4.4. A sea of glass has replaced the once-needed sea of brass at which one must wash before approaching the throne of God, the Mercy seat. But there is no defilement in this country!

Adding to the thunder and voices, four astounding ‘living ones’ ceaselessly cry, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty’, while the twenty-four elders prostrate themselves before the Lord. And there are myriad people obviously of every nationality and every language, and yet John has purposely left the most shocking observation to the last. He recounts the concentric circles about the throne. What is the real focus of it all? ‘In the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain’, 5. 6. It is an arnion, a little lamb! But the lamb can hardly be defenceless! Why, it has seven horns, perfection of power, and seven eyes, perfection of wisdom. It seems to have been slain. Surely, such wisdom could not have been taken by surprise; such power could not have been overwhelmed. The only explanation - the little lamb must have been sacrificed willingly. And such is the case. The choir sings, ‘Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood’, v. 9. Hallelujah! What a Saviour!