A Lamb and A Lion

Revelation, the last book of our Bible, opens with a “beyond amazing” description of the resurrected Christ. According to Hebrews, when He became a man, He was “made a little lower than the angels.” But now, He has returned to His glorious place at the right hand of the Father in Heaven as a full member of the Triune Godhead.

John’s description of Him leaves us speechless. “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” (Revelation 1:14–16)

The fifth chapter also is a revelation of the Lord Jesus. Instead of further describing His physical features, John draws our attention to qualities of His character. To do so, John records that Jesus is called the LION of Judah and the LAMB that was slain. These two animals are on the extreme opposite ends of the spectrum of ferocity, but each animal will teach us about the character of our Savior.

Jesus is the LAMB that was slain. This refers to His first coming.

• John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
• Jesus willingly went to the cross. No one forced Him to leave Heaven for the space of thirty-plus years in order to redeem us – “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth.” (Acts 8:32)
• Jesus was morally untainted by sin – We’ve been saved by the precious blood of Christ, “a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:19)

Jesus is the LION of Judah. This refers to His second coming.

• The lion is known as the king of the jungle. Jesus is called the King of kings. When He returns, He won’t come in humility, but in glory, to take possession of that which is rightfully His, the earth as well as His followers.
• “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” (Hebrews 9:28)
• His return as the Conquering King, riding a white steed, is also described in Revelation 19:11-16. Jesus is called “Faithful and True”, the “Word of God”, and the “King of kings and Lord of lords”.

Long ago, at the cross of Jesus, the devil met more than his match. He lost his fight against the Lord. “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He [Jesus] made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15)

When Jesus returns, like a roaring LION announcing His victory, He will cast the devil into the lake of fire.

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