A. 2c,§45
Book Revelation §4,5, In Heaven: Lamb of God
Shalom,
^ As Christians, we are called to become children of God, thereby becoming heirs together with Christ (Rm. 8:17).
Prayer of them who wish to worship God in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24), Bert
1-7S: The most exciting moments of mankind are described in the fifth chapter of Revelation. For good reason the apostle John wept very much. There was no one in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth, worthy to open the Book Scroll in God’s hands, which was sealed with seven seals (Rev. 5:1-4).
John knew, like everyone else there, that this scroll was vital to him and his spiritual brothers and sister. All creation would have been lost! But something had been kept secret, as one of the elders told him, Rev. 5:5, <“Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”>
¤ And suddenly, amid the throne and the four beasts, and amid the elders, stood a Lamb as if it had been slain; it had seven horns and seven eyes (Rev. 5:6a).
When Jesus Christ had come to be baptized by John the Baptist, he had witnessed and cried out (John 1:15-37), John 1:29b, <“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ….”>
¤ He had sat on the throne of God at the right hand of the Power (e.g. Mat. 26:64).
When He came and took the Scroll, those present threw themselves before the Lamb and sang a new song about humans chosen to be future kings and priests (Rev. 5:7-9), Rev. 5:9b, <"…. And by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. ….">
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¤ After Adam (and Eve) had sinned, the right to live forever was denied to them (Gen. 3:22).
In this way, the trespass of this man (and woman) had brought condemnation for all mankind. But then, two thousand years ago, the many were made righteous through the obedience of another one man (Rm. 5:15-19)!
¤ During His ministry, Jesus Christ had said that unless you eat His flesh and drink His blood, you have no life within yourself. Many of His disciples had not understood this and had therefore left (John 6:53, 66).
But at the end of His human life He celebrated the Passover Communion with His disciples and explained everything, Luke 22:19-20, <“This [broken bread] is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20. In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you. ….”>
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¤ The Gospel speaks of a sheep that was led to the slaughter (Isa. 53:7-8; Acts 8:26-39).
He is, ‘Jesus Christ, the faithful Witness/Martyr’,a) Rev. 1:5-6, <the firstborn of the dead,b) and the ruler of the kings of the earth.c) To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,d) 6. who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.e)>
a) Jesus Christ had been ready to give up His equality with God, to become like men, and to be obedient to His Father in all things, until the death of the cross (Phili. 2:5-11; Rev. 5:11-14).
b) Jesus Christ and God are the same God who created all things (Rev. 4:11), Col. 1:15-18, <He [The Son] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.>
c) He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. At the beginning of the millennial kingdom He will first crush the dominion of all nations and then shepherd them with an iron scepter (Dan. 2:44-45; Rev. 12:5; 19:11-16), 1Cor. 15:22-24, <For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23. But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruit; then at His presence, those who belong to Him. 24. Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power.>
d) The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of those who are led by God’s Spirit (Rm. 8:4, 8:9-19), 1Pet. 2:20b-21, <But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:>
e) After the first resurrection, they/we will reign in the next millennial kingdom, and after this (Rev. 20:4-6), Rev. 22:5b, <and they will reign forever and ever.>