John was in tears upon hearing the news that there was no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth found worthy to open a sealed scroll, one of great importance and anticipation. He records this account of his life in the book of Revelation, chapter 5. One steps in and gives the assurance that there is someone who is able. Having looked in heaven and on and under the earth, where could this one be found? Who else could there be?
This one is exalted far above all the heavens. Heaven, nor earth, contains him. He contains them. The elder invites John to behold him:
One of the elders said to me, "Don't weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals."
(Rev 5:5)
Behold...the Lion. What joy that must have brought John. He once walked with this overcoming Lion, who he knew as Yeshua of Nazareth. So he focuses in and his eyes lay hold of...
a Lambkin standing, as though it had been slain...
(Rev 5:6)
What an enigma! Why is John beholding a Lambkin (and a slain one at that), when he was told to behold the Lion who has overcome?
As important as the overcoming Lion is, the foundation upon which his victory rests is found, not in what a lion normally does, but is contained in the action of a lamb who gives himself up to be slain. It is through his faithfulness to DEATH, that he is VICTORIOUS. Truly, life comes out of death. The picture to me is clear. To be portrayed and forever seen as slain, yet at the same time, living, is a most powerful way of demonstrating the victory of life over death, not by simply killing it from without, but entering into it, taking it upon himself, and defeating it from within, and forever wearing it as a badge describing its utter illusion!
Ronen
This appears consistent to me with Paul's determination, which he outlines in these places:
(1Co 1:23) but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,
(1Co 2:2) For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
(Gal 3:1) Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as crucified?
And at the end of his epistle to the Galatian believers, he states the reason for this determination, as it affected him, and us:
(Gal 6:14) But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Far from discounting the resurrection, it is his death which is the foundation, setting the stage for his resurrection, by which he shows his conquering of death.
Ronen
Quote from: gregoryfl on January 04, 2014, 08:05:31 AM
John was in tears upon hearing the news that there was no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth found worthy to open a sealed scroll, one of great importance and anticipation. He records this account of his life in the book of Revelation, chapter 5. One steps in and gives the assurance that there is someone who is able. Having looked in heaven and on and under the earth, where could this one be found? Who else could there be?
This one is exalted far above all the heavens. Heaven, nor earth, contains him. He contains them. The elder invites John to behold him:
One of the elders said to me, "Don't weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals."
(Rev 5:5)
Behold...the Lion. What joy that must have brought John. He once walked with this overcoming Lion, who he knew as Yeshua of Nazareth. So he focuses in and his eyes lay hold of...
a Lambkin standing, as though it had been slain...
(Rev 5:6)
What an enigma! Why is John beholding a Lambkin (and a slain one at that), when he was told to behold the Lion who has overcome?
As important as the overcoming Lion is, the foundation upon which his victory rests is found, not in what a lion normally does, but is contained in the action of a lamb who gives himself up to be slain. It is through his faithfulness to DEATH, that he is VICTORIOUS. Truly, life comes out of death. The picture to me is clear. To be portrayed and forever seen as slain, yet at the same time, living, is a most powerful way of demonstrating the victory of life over death, not by simply killing it from without, but entering into it, taking it upon himself, and defeating it from within, and forever wearing it as a badge describing its utter illusion!
Ronen
Pretty cool. I think it demonstrates that God's thoughts are so much higher than our own. Weakness is strength. To overcome is not to fight. To be a lion is to be a lamb.
Completely opposite to how the world thinks.
Quote from: gregoryfl on January 04, 2014, 08:05:31 AM
John was in tears upon hearing the news that there was no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth found worthy to open a sealed scroll, one of great importance and anticipation. He records this account of his life in the book of Revelation, chapter 5. One steps in and gives the assurance that there is someone who is able. Having looked in heaven and on and under the earth, where could this one be found? Who else could there be?
This one is exalted far above all the heavens. Heaven, nor earth, contains him. He contains them. The elder invites John to behold him:
One of the elders said to me, "Don't weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals."
(Rev 5:5)
Behold...the Lion. What joy that must have brought John. He once walked with this overcoming Lion, who he knew as Yeshua of Nazareth. So he focuses in and his eyes lay hold of...
a Lambkin standing, as though it had been slain...
(Rev 5:6)
What an enigma! Why is John beholding a Lambkin (and a slain one at that), when he was told to behold the Lion who has overcome?
As important as the overcoming Lion is, the foundation upon which his victory rests is found, not in what a lion normally does, but is contained in the action of a lamb who gives himself up to be slain. It is through his faithfulness to DEATH, that he is VICTORIOUS. Truly, life comes out of death. The picture to me is clear. To be portrayed and forever seen as slain, yet at the same time, living, is a most powerful way of demonstrating the victory of life over death, not by simply killing it from without, but entering into it, taking it upon himself, and defeating it from within, and forever wearing it as a badge describing its utter illusion!
Ronen
Quite beautiful. Overcoming is the word of the week for me in my faith walk. It just seems to keep coming up. My ears are open.
This thread reminds me of reading the term "Lionlamb" to refer to Jesus, the Opener of the Scroll.