Revelation 5: The Lion Who Is The Lamb

Revelation 5 introduces a problem: Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?

What is the scroll?  It rests in the right hand of God.  It has writing on both sides and is sealed with seven seals.  It is obviously very important.  Does this scroll represent the enactment of history?  It is the final judgment?  Is it the culmination of the kingdom?

At first it looks like we may never find out.  John weeps because no one was found anywhere who was worthy to open the scroll.  But then one of the elders comforts John and points out that the Lion of the tribe of Judah is worthy.

Yet when John looks, he sees not a Lion but a Lamb, looking as if had been slaughtered.  If you have been reading along in the New Testament with us, you may recall John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus in John 1:29: "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"  This Lamb is characterized by the number 7 (which seems to be the number for completeness), having 7 eyes and 7 horns (horns generally represent power or strength). 

The Lamb, at the center of the throne (what does that tell you about His divinity?) takes the scroll and a "new song" begins in heaven.  The praises are now shifted to the Lamb.  And what is the basis for this worship?  Because he was slain!  Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!  Millions of angels join the song.

All creatures (every creature) turn to praising the One who sits on the throne AND the Lamb.  The entire universe is fixated and centered on the drama unfolding in heaven as the Lamb prepares to break the seals and open the scroll.