A Vision of the Lamb, Part 2 (Revelation 5:5–8)

The source material, based on John MacArthur’s teaching on Revelation Chapter 5, focuses on the scene at God’s throne, the commencement of final judgment, and the identity of the only one qualified to reverse the curse and reclaim the universe.

The Vision of Restoration and the Unattainable Utopia

The vision builds upon the prophetic anticipation of the Old Testament, specifically Isaiah, concerning a day when the curse on the earth would be reversed and paradise restored. This future utopia includes the desert blossoming like a rose, predator and prey dwelling together peacefully, human life spans being extended, and Satan being chained. While humanity has always dreamed of such a world of perfect justice and peace, all human efforts and inventions fail, and the world only gets “worse and worse and worse”. The monumental question is: “Who can restore paradise?”.

The Scroll and the Universal Search

The scene remains at the throne of God in heaven, surrounded by the cherubim, the twenty-four elders (representing the raptured church), and the seven-fold glory of the Holy Spirit. As God begins to stir and move to judge the earth, John witnesses the first monumental action.

1. The Title Deed: God, who sits on the throne, holds a scroll in His right hand. This scroll is the title deed to the universe. It is written inside and on the back, and sealed up with seven seals.
2. The Scroll’s Content: The document’s purpose is not to describe why God owns creation (since He made it), but how He will take it back through a short period of intense judgments. These judgments begin in Revelation Chapter 6 and continue through Chapter 19.
3. The Search: A strong angel proclaims throughout the entire universe, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?”.
4. The Failure: Crucially, no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth was found able or worthy.

John, witnessing this apparent lack of a Redeemer, began to weep greatly. His tears reflected the despair over sin, guilt, and the continued binding of Satan, fearing that the promised kingdom of God would never come. MacArthur notes that John’s weeping was needless.

The Selection of the Worthy One

An elder interrupts John’s grief, commanding him to “Stop weeping”. The elder points to the individual who has “overcome so as to open the scroll”: “the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David”.

The Worthy One possesses two crucial messianic titles:

1. The Lion of Judah: This title, derived from Genesis 49:8–10, speaks of a fierce, powerful, menacing, destructive, and deadly personality. John notes that the Jews in Jesus’ time expected this Lion to destroy the Romans and pagans, which is why they killed Jesus when He came as the opposite—healing and showing no political power. The Lion-like judgment still awaits.
2. The Root of David: This title, based on Isaiah 11:1, confirms His royal lineage and right to kingship. Jesus Christ came from the line of David through both Joseph and Mary. He will come with a rod of His mouth to strike the earth and slay the wicked, confirming His role as a king.

The Necessity of the Lamb

Christ did not come as the ferocious Lion at first because “something to be done first”. Before He could be the Lion of judgment, He had to first be the Lamb. His first mission was to go into mortal combat with the usurper, Satan, and overcome sin, death, and hell. At the cross, Christ delivered the “fatal blow” to the serpent’s head and triumphed over the rulers and authorities (demons). This conquering of sin won salvation and dealt a death blow to Satan and death itself.

When John looks, he sees not a Lion, but a Lamb standing, as if slain. The Lamb is described using the diminutive form, arnion, meaning “a little pet lamb,” referencing the precious, spotless Passover lamb that was intimately kept before sacrifice.

The Lamb’s Power and Final Act

The Lamb, though appearing vulnerable, is ready for the final conflict. He is alive and standing, but still bears the scars of death (the nail prints). This Lamb is no ordinary animal; He possesses:

• Seven Horns: Representing perfect power, sovereignty, and almighty might (seven being the number of completion).
• Seven Eyes: Representing omniscience (perfect knowledge and comprehension). These eyes are the seven-fold Spirit of God sent out into all the earth to assess the criminals to be judged.

This Lamb, who is also the Lion and the King of kings, now makes the final, monumental move: “He came and He took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne”. This act brings human history to its end, leading to the ultimate redemption and the reign of Christ.

Worship and Glorification

The moment the Lamb takes the scroll, spontaneous worship breaks out. The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders immediately fall down before the Lamb. Crucially, they ascribe the very same worship to Christ in Chapter 5 that they gave to God the Father in Chapter 4, confirming Christ’s full deity. The vision confirms that Christ is about to step out from His intercessory role on the Father’s throne to fully reign and rule on His own throne, finally putting all things that are “out of place” into their rightful order.