Victory from the mouth of defeat!

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.  The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.  Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:  

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:7-9)

More visual drama than a science fiction movie: Lightning  . . . a growling sky . . . awesome creatures. Four of the creatures (see Revelation 4:6) symbolize the most impressive of all creation . . . the eagle . . . the bull . . . the lion . . . and man. Yet only ONE is Worthy. . . . WHO? 

“Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (Revelation 5:2). 

 Who is worthy to introduce the next phase of history? No one can answer, much to John’s dismay. None of the four impressive creatures qualifies. Suddenly John sees another creature, “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). Only a Lamb  . . . a helpless, slaughtered LAMB?

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

True believers are identified as having their names recorded in the “Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27).

Christ the King is also the Lamb, the One who died for us. His death on the cross, seemingly a great defeat, actually ushered in a decisive victory, for him and for us. Good was not destroyed; it triumphed.

Victory . . . from a LAMB!