The Lamb at the Center of the Throne

 "Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven-fold spirit of God sent out into all the earth”. Rev: 5:6

In the Apocalyptic book of Revelation St. John sees in vision a lamb which bears the wounds of slaughter who stands at very center of the Throne of God. This lamb is worshiped by the angelic host which surrounded the Throne of God as all time and eternity revolve around him.

This is the very same lamb who is the one pointed out by St. John the Baptist and is identifies as our Lord Jesus Christ.

"The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world." Jhn: 1:29

Jesus is that very lamb of God who was wounded for our transgression, who takes away all of our sin. These verses speak so powerful of the purpose of God and our Lord Jesus' central place in that eternal purpose.

All the purpose of God is encapsulated in this Heavenly vision shown to St. John on the Island of Patmos.

Jesus is the Purpose 

When we see this throne, it is presented, to and for us, so that we might see that Jesus is there at the center of the of all time and eternity. This tells us, that the central focus of God's eternal purpose of salvation and his eternal plan is found in and through His Son Jesus. 

Jesus is the purpose of God, all that the Great God has or will undertake is in and through Jesus and for Jesus.

"all things have been created through him and for him." Col: 1:16c

St. Paul again cites Jesus' central place and focus in his epistles to the Roman Christians. 

"For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." Rom: 11:36

This tells us that it is all about Jesus and that the place of highest exultation is given to Jesus and Him alone. We see this in the adoration hymn of praise and worship in Heaven bestowed upon the Lamb in the vision of St.John voiced by all the host of Heaven. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiuC_CaObbI

" the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.And they sang a new song, saying:“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.You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power,for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped." Rev: 5:8-14

Shows Us the Purpose

In this Heavenly vision we see more than we might first realize. The Lamb, that we understand to be Jesus, we see him to have been slain. This being slain, we are told, is the means by which God has determined for the reconciliation of humanity back into fellowship with himself, and this being slain, was not an action that Gods' hand was forced to resort to, but was always intended to ensure that there was nothing to keep humanity from having an eternal relationship with God. St. John tells us that Jesus is the Lamb.

"the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world."Rev:13:8b

 This means as far back into eternity that we look we will see God's intent to provide salvation for humanity, for any who would but freely receive it. It has always been predetermined by our God.

The Incarnation

As it is recorded in St. John’s Gospel account, at the very onset of Jesus' public ministry that St. John the Baptist designation of Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb there upon the banks of that Jordan. It speaks to us of the incarnation, that is , in Jesus , God has assumed our humanity. He became one of us to save us.

The ancient church Theologian Athansius wrote "that which is not assumed is not redeemed" Jesus has assumed all of our humanity in order to save all of humanity, all we need do is receive what he has done on our behalf through faith and grace.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" Jhn:1:1-3, 14

The Cross

We also see that through the incarnation that the cross of our Lord was made possible, for without the incarnation, the death of Jesus could not have been accomplished. Jesus had to be fully human in order for him to die. This death of the cross is in view when St. John describes the lamb as.

"looking as if it had been slain" Rev: 5:6a

That is, Jesus, even now, in the very heights of Heaven bears the wounds of the crucifixion. The same wounds which Jesus held forth to the disciples so that they could see and be assured that it was He when He appeared to them on that first Easter evening .The wounds identify Jesus, they belong to Him alone.

"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord." Jhn: 20:19-20

These wounds of the Lamb show us all that it is the same Jesus who went to that cross so that we might have peace knowing that by his cross, that is his death, we experience God's forgiveness. Peace is made between our God and ourselves if we will but freely receive it.The very peace Jesus so willing offers to any who will but freely receive it.

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things to himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." Col: 1:20

The Resurrection

This slain Lamb, we see, though having been slain, is alive. This is not a dead Lamb, whose lifeless body lays bound to the alter, but rather, this Lamb stands up-right which means it lives, it is resurrected from the death which He faced in the slaughter of the crucifixion. That Jesus has come forth from the tomb.

Jesus is not found among the dead but is even now living, come forth forevermore.

St.John writes of his encounter with the risen Jesus at the very beginning of the Book of Revelation.

"When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades" .Rev:1:17-18

Jesus is the Lamb of God, the one who is declared to be Gods' Son through the resurrection.

"who through the Spirit of holiness was declared the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom: 1:4

Jesus is not the Son of God because He is resurrected, but rather he is resurrected because he is the Son of God. The grave could not hold Him death could have no power over him. The resurrection just declares what has, and is eternally true. Jesus is the Son of God the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

The Ascension

St. John views all of this glorious vision of worship and adoration taking place in the heights of Heaven, telling us about the very One who is there ascended is there on our behalf, standing as our victorious High Priest who is even now overseeing the Salvation of His people .

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. ”Jhn:14:1-4

 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is ascended into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." Heb: 4:14

Because Jesus has passed into the Heavens, ascended as the Gospel witnesses to us, we need not fear the very Throne wherein He stands central to, rather, we can appeal to this Throne for help as a source of aid in our moments of need. It is a Throne of Grace far more than a Throne of judicial appliance.

 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”. Heb: 4:14-16

The Spirit Given

At the very onset of the Heavenly vision St. John notes that this Lamb has seven eyes.

"He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven-fold spirit of God sent out into all the earth" .Rev:5:6

St. John interprets the eyes through the Spirit to represent the Holy Spirit Himself, which in the Greek is described as  "seven fold" .

This is the fulfillment of Jesus' promise of sending the Holy Spirit to those who freely receive Jesus and, it is through the Spirit that we can come to call Jesus Lord, regardless as to what nation they arise out of.

The Spirit is in the Earth in the lives of Christians, always revealing our Lord Jesus and aiding in the proclamation of the Gospel message and the living of the Christian life. The seven-fold eyes or seven eyes also speak of God's omnipresence and omniscient, and being all knowing, and the Spirit's Oneness with Jesus.

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

“All this I have spoken while still with you.But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace  I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid". Jhn: 14:16-20, 25-27

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts: 1:8

All this we see find in so few words of Scripture, always directing our attention to our Lord Jesus Christ speaking of Him as that pivotal person in all of time and eternity. He is the purpose of God. 

Jesus Christ (the) Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne" Rev:5:6a . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiuC_CaObbI

Benediction: May we each and all have our hearts and minds ever fixed upon our Lord Jesus, who is that Lamb at the center of God's eternal purpose, today. tomorrow, and forevermore. Amen

Rev. Todd Crouch, Norman, Oklahoma.