Spirit and the Lamb Part 2

matzah - striped and pierced

Part Two

Passover Message 2007

TEXT: Rev. 5:6-9
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. [7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. [8] And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. [9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Down through the centuries “the Lamb of God” has been one of the most cherished titles and symbols of Jesus Christ held by believers - whether they be Jew or Gentile. The Lamb is a picture of Christ our Passover who was sacrificed for us, the season which we celebrate the present at the time of this writing.

1 Cor. 5:7
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Historically, the Passover refers back to the time when God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage through signs, wonders and judgment upon the firstborn of Egypt and the nation itself for its injustice towards Israel during her time of slavery under the booted heal of Pharaoh and his army. Yet as He prepared to execute the final judgment, the faithful, those who believed God, were instructed to slay a pure lamb and sprinkle its blood over the door posts of their homes, which if looked upon by the outward observer would form the sign of a Cross, and serve as a sign that the coming judgment had already been carried out. When seeing the blood, the death angel, sent by God, would "pass over" that house thereby saving those in the house, a prophetic picture of the salvation ALL those who are IN CHRIST and the CROSS experience today!

Exodus 12:13
And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

2 Cor. 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Cor. 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.

Those who did not believe and did not apply the blood to their homes, were destroyed along with their firstborn - no matter whether that individual was Jewish of Egyptian. The issue was not culture or race - it was the BLOOD. Symbolically, the Passover pictured the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior, the lamb without blemish who shed His precious blood for the sins of all mankind. The picture of the unblemished Lamb pictured His sinless life (cp. John 1:29), and the blood sprinkled on the door posts pictured His blood shed for the forgiveness of sins and the full deliverance of the believer from sin's power and nature. It was an eternal message and sign that the life and blood of the innocent lamb had been substituted for the firstborn.

John 1:29
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

There were many other types of Christ revealed in the first Passover which carry over to this day.

The eating of the lamb pictured the need for spiritual nourishment gained by feeding on Christ, the Bread of Life. The unleavened bread (bread without yeast) pictured the need for putting evil out of one’s life and household.

The hyssop used to sprinkle the blood on the door posts, was used later under the Law for the cleansing of lepers (Leviticus 14:4,6,51,52; Numbers 19:6,18), and stood as a type our cleaning from sin by Christ. This reference, though, has its immediate allusion to Exodus 24:4-8, when Moses giving the Law, used hyssop to swear the congregation to both the blessings and penalties of the covenant. .

Exodus 24:8
And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.

Hebrews 9:19-20
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, [20] Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

The covenant was ratified by the blood of sprinkling, applied by dipping the hyssop into it. This sprinkling of the blood finds its antitype in Jesus Christ and his shed blood on Calvary (see 1 Peter 1:2). Sprinkling of blood was part of the Old Testament ritual service. In general, the appearance of blood advertises the death of a victim. Christ's shed blood cries for forgiveness.

1 Peter 1:2
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Hebrews 12:24
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

It was the blood of the lamb that saved the people in the house. The lamb was sacrificed; that is, its blood was shed as a substitute for the people and to state it again, not that we can state it too often, symbolized Christ our Passover who was sacrificed for us. If we believe and apply His blood to our hearts and homes, He saves us today as well. If we do not believe and do not apply the blood to our hearts and homes, we are destroyed. That is so simple a child can understand it, yet millions with Harvard and Yale degrees do NOT. The Cross of Christ is not "vogue," enough for this sin-sick world we live in today. Man's education and psychology have taught humanity that man does not need this blood-soaked religion to save him for he is basically "good," and not a sinner as the Bible teaches.

As a result man seeks salvation from the coming death angel through many means other than the Cross. Let the reader be abundantly clear! It is the Lamb of God who was sacrificed for us and it is His blood and His blood ALONE which can save! Praise God however that we know beyond doubt that HIS BLOOD DOES SAVE. His blood sets the captive free. His blood changes homes. His blood changes hearts. His blood changes churches. His blood heals the sick. His blood destroys the powers of darkness. His blood makes the vilest sinner free! YES I KNOW, YES I KNOW, Jesus Blood can make the vilest sinner free, as the song goes. Glory to God.

Secondly, the Lamb is also a picture of the redemptive power of our Lord's blood.

1 Peter 1:18-19
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Historically, two lambs were sacrificed “day by day continually...the one...in the morning; and the other...at even” (Exodus 29:38-39).

Exodus 29:38-39
Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. [39] The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:

The sacrifice of the two lambs, the shedding of their precious blood, became a substitute for the people in the mind of God. The people knew their sins had separated them from God and that their sins had to be removed before they could be reconciled to God. Thus, symbolically, the sins of the people were removed from the people and placed upon the two animals, without blemish and without spot, and symbolically, they bore the judgment of sin, which was death. They were sacrificed for sin, and by their death, they symbolically set the people free by redeeming them from their sins. It was not necessarily this deed that freed those in sin but their FAITH in the Lamb to come these animals represented! The LAMB that was to come and HAS come is CHRIST!

Jesus Christ is

the perfect Lamb of God, without sin (blemish or spot)
the One upon whom the sins of the people were placed
the One who bore the judgment for sin, which was death
the One who was sacrificed for sin. · the One whose death sets people free by redeeming them
the One whose blood is counted precious both by God and believers.  It should be noted that Christ willingly offered Himself as the sacrificial Lamb, as our substitute and sin-bearer; and God willingly accepted the offering and sacrifice of His Son for us (John 10:17-18).

Sinner, bound by the powers of darkness, hear this good news today. God is satisfied with the settlement for your sin that Christ made on the Cross 2,000 years ago. If any person places their faith in the blood of Christ and proclaims through confession and repentance that His Blood covers our sins—God will take that person’s belief and count it as righteousness, which alone grants man the ability to enter heaven and receive eternal life.

Thirdly, the “Lamb of God” is not of men, but of God, a fact we never dare overlook! The idea is that the Lamb belonged to God; that is, God gave, supplied, and provided the Lamb for sacrifice. In Genesis where the first mention of a lamb is made, God provided the lamb for Abraham as a substitute for Isaac.

Genesis 22:8
And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

This glorious truth speaks volumes on..

the unbelievable love of God for man (John 3:16; Romans 5:1)

Sinner, God loves you today. He is not angry or upset or willing that ANY man should perish but that ALL should come to repentance. Even if you die and go to hell friend because of a lack of faith and a failure to heed the gospel call you will fall over the love-soaked body and heart of the Lord Jesus Christ beating out an eternal love for your soul!

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

the great sacrifice and humiliation Christ underwent for man (Phil. 2:6-8; 1 Peter 2:24)

Christ did not die in a place of riches and grandeur; He died on a bloody cross in darkness. The Light of the World hung in darkness and cried, yet for all those who come to Him, they will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life which is in CHRIST JESUS. Christ, thought it not robbery to make of himself NO reputation, taking on the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. He forsook the glory of heaven to walk among Adam's fallen and dying race to redeem man from eternal hell and bondage.

1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Philip. 2:6-8
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

the forgiveness of sins and salvation which came from God’s grace and not from man’s resources and works (Ephes. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7)

Ephes. 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 3:4-7
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, [5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; [6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; [7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. .

the deity of Christ, His being not just of God, but He being God the Son, existed in eternity past alongside God the Father.

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

As such He was forever in the mind of God to become the Lamb of God:

Rev. 13:8
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Rev. 5:8-9
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. [9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Muslims, we love you and realize your religion has deceived you into thinking God has no son; friend, He DOES have a SON and His name is JESUS CHRIST and He has come that you may live and not die! He has come that you be set free from the abominable powers of this hellish religion.

Fourthly, the “Lamb of God” takes away the sin of the world. meaning literally He "lifted away," and "carried off," our sins as He bore them in His body.

1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Hebrews 9:28
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Notice the word here “sin” is singular, not plural meaning that Christ came to destroy sin's NATURE, not just the act one does when they disobey God. Sin has a power to it that beggars description and that is why man needs more than a 12-step program or psychology to free him from its grip. When all the sins of the world were taken and placed upon and borne by Christ, mankind's freedom from such was secured! It takes FAITH in the Lamb to be set free today through the power of the HOLY GHOST. The SPIRIT works when we place faith in the Lamb and the Lamb's power comes from the Holy Ghost!

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 2:1-2
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: [2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Upon Whom The Holy Spirit Remained....

John 1:28-31 - These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. [29] The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. [30] This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. [31] And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. [33] And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost. [34] And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. [35] Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; [36] And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

John the Baptist declared that upon WHOM the Holy Spirit remained - HE would be the Messiah, the Anointed Son of God, who would come and Baptize with the Holy Ghost. Please forgive me here for saying what I am about to say but say it I must. When we come to Christ we receive the Holy Spirit; yet the Holy Spirit's work inside the believer is JUST beginning not ending. Child of God, you need the baptism in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues. You need to be endued with power from on high from the ONE John saw and said was "MIGHTIER," than him and had come to be made manifest to Israel. He said "I saw the SPIRIT descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon HIM," meaning Jesus. It didn't abide upon the Assemblies of God; the church of God; the Southern Baptist Convetnion; the Methodist church; the Presbyterians; or the Charismatics. HE DESCENDED UPON CHRIST, who is the baptizer in the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ did not come and die JUST so men could be saved, but that they might be FILLED with the HOLY GHOST AND FIRE! That was the record of the strong witness of John the Baptist as the HOLY GHOST penned these words through the Apostle John!

The dove was a sacred bird to the Jews as a symbol of peace, gentleness, purity and innocence; but even more significant, the dove was often identified with the Spirit of God thus when the dove descended upon Christ, it symbolized the Spirit of God Himself descending upon Christ. The dove identified Jesus as the Messiah and endued Him with the power of God!!!

Mark 1:9-10
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. [10] And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

In the Old Testament the Spirit of God came upon men only on special occasions. He never came and remained upon men. John went out of his way to point out that the Spirit’s descent upon Christ was unique: He abode (John 1:32) and He remained upon Christ (John 1:33) entering the life of Christ once-for-all, permanently and powerfully, in His full manifestation and unlimited power. Everything the LAMB OF GOD did as it pertained to our redemption - the miracles, the sinless life, the power He showed, the grace, the mercy - were all done as a man endued with power by the Holy Spirit! He did these things as a man, not as God, yet even though He was a man who had stripped Himself of the expression of God, He was always GOD never losing His deity!!!! That is powerful! That causes this writer to weep thinking of the GLORIOUS salvation we have today as we celebrate this Easter and Passover season! My Lord someone needs to shout with me right now!

When a person is baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ at salvation, the Holy Spirit enters the life of the believer and becomes a permanent experience of the believer. When that believer then goes onto faith and believes in the baptism in the Holy Spirit it is CHRIST who baptizes us in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with other tongues. Two separate experiences - one that takes place at conversion, the other AFTER we are saved, yet all is done that we should go forth and bring forth FRUIT and that FRUIT remain!

John 15:16-17
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. [17] These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Romans 8:9-10
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. [10] And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

1 Cor. 12:3
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Acts 1:5
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 2:1-4
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Spirit was the Promise of the Father and His job is to point us to the Lamb of God!

Luke 24:49
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

The Spirit and the Lamb

Rev. 5:6-7
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. [7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

When the Lamb of God was first revealed here on the earth, His ministry was confirmed and empowered by the witness of a dove - the Holy Spirit. John said, "when you see the Spirit descending and staying upon the One Coming, HE IS THE LAMB OF GOD!" What a way to bear witness of the Lamb's coming ministry to all mankind.

In this vein of though so too there is another supreme moment mentioned in scripture when the APOSTLE JOHN gets his first sight of Jesus Christ in heaven AFTER the resurrection as given to John on the Isle of Patmos at the onset of those events recorded in the Book of Revelation. John had already seen Christ in his first vision and message to the churches; he only got to see Christ standing in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands, which were a type of the churches.

But now John catches his first sight of the glorified Son of God in heaven, which was bound to be the most spectacular sight ever seen in human history, for God was letting a mere man see His Son at the throne of God. He was showing why His Son is worthy to rule and reign over the universe and the message of eternity for all mankind. It is interesting to note that John saw a lion as well as a lamb but it would be the LAMB as it had been slain that would stand in the Middle of the Throne of God.

It seems as if John was looking to see the mighty lion that the Elder had mentioned, but instead he sees a Lamb. The world wants to see the lion of Judah today, which is a very important aspect of the Lord's character and ministry. Before He can be the Lion of Judah, He MUST be the Lamb of God. In heaven's view of redemption, it is the LAMB of GOD, not the Lion of Judah who is found right in the middle of the Throne, the four Living Ones, and the 24 Elders, signifying the center of attention.

This Lamb is not just any lamb, but as "as it had been slain," bearing the marks of the Crucifixion. The Lamb had "seven horns," denoting perfection and total dominion; "seven eyes," denoting perfect, total, and complete knowledge and illumination.

The Holy Spirit is represented here as working so closely with the Lamb, as it refers to the Atonement, as to be inseparable. Let that statement sink in friend; it is the theme of this journal series on Passover! The Spirit of God and His work as it pertains to our salvation cannot be separated from that which Christ did at the Cross. The "Seven Spirits of God" denote the total and complete attributes of the Spirit, who carries out all the work and plans of the Godhead on Earth, hence Him being referred to as "sent forth into all the Earth."

Jesus Christ is the center of the heavenly scene and is the very center and focus of all attention - past, present and future; every eye and thought is upon Him and one day ALL will bow the knee and declare Him Lord of ALL. He is the centerpiece of God’s throne room, the central figure on the stage of universal history, and the history of both heaven and earth. As such men deny Him to their own destruction and peril.

As we have already stated, the earthly witness to Jesus was that He was the Lamb of god who died for our sins; the heavenly witness around the throne as seen by John was the same; The lamb was sacrificed so that the judgment of God could pass over the people.

Exodus 12:3
Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

Isaiah had said that the Messiah was to bear our sins by being brought as a lamb to the slaughter.

Isaiah 53:6-7
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. [7] He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

We have already looked at the words of John the Baptist and Peter concerning the Lord as the Lamb of God. A.T. Robertson, the Greek scholar, points out that the word for lamb throughout the New Testament is ho amnos. But throughout Revelation John uses another word arnion, and he uses the word twenty-nine times for the crucified Christ. The difference is this: the word chosen by John stresses the slaughter, suffering, pain, agony, and humiliation of Christ. And all the suffering is still seen in heaven. As Robertson says: "The Lamb is now alive, but...with the marks of the sacrifice" His sacrifice for us will stand the test of time eternal and will cover us when we stand before the throne of God at the judgment! He did this ALL as the Ideal and Perfect Man meaning that when we see Him in glory He will still bear the marks of the nail prints in His hands and feets. The CROSS will forever be the focus - even in heaven!

This is the reason Jesus Christ stands in the center stage of heaven. But even in heaven He stands as the One who has loved and given Himself for us; He stands as the Lamb who was slain as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Hebrews 9:12-14
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. [13] For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: [14] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 10:11-13
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: [12] But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; [13] From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

1 Peter 3:18 - For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit

As the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ is the omnipotent power, intelligence and soverign of the universe. Remember that the number seven in the Bible means completeness, fullness, and perfection. Jesus Christ is seen with seven horns which symbolizes complete and perfect strength and power. He stands in heaven as the supreme power and force of the universe.

Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Romans 1:4
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

John 10:18
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

John 17:2
As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

The Lamb As it Had Been Slain- That Which The Holy Spirit Anoints

John's statement, "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the Throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the Elders, stood a Lamb," speaks to us of Jesus as the "Lamb of God" (Jn. 1:29), which we have discussed in great detail so far; this phrase, again, denotes the sacrifice of Himself as it regards the Atonement. As we have stated, Jesus has been introduced as a "Lion," but when John sees Him, He sees "a Lamb." It is not the Lion, but the Lamb that is presented as "standing" in the very midst of all the greatness of the Throne. He is the center of all attention. It doesn't say that He is sitting on the Throne, but rather that He is standing in the midst of it.

And yet it states in the last Chapter of Revelation that the Throne is "of God and of the Lamb" (Rev. 22:1, 3).

Rev. 22:1
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Rev. 22:3
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

The last Chapter of Revelation pictures the perfect age to come, when the New Jerusalem will have been brought down from God out of Heaven, with Earth now being His Headquarters. Consequently, at that time, there is no more sin, Satan, or rebellion. All of that has been put down by what Jesus did at the Cross. Even though the Cross is history at the time John sees this glorious vision, still, all the effects of the Cross have not yet been realized. So Jesus is pictured as standing instead of sitting, representing work yet to do, with the posture of sitting representing work that is finished and done.

The Spirit of God RESTS Upon The Slain Lamb

The phrase, "As it had been slain," represents the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. This Lamb had been slain, but this Lamb is now alive, even though it bears on its body the marks of the Crucifixion. Incidentally, Jesus being in the "midst of the Elders," portrays the Church raptured and Glorified. In Revelation 1:13 and 2:1, He is in the midst of the candlesticks, which represents the Church before the Rapture, and thereby, still on Earth; the representation of Christ as a Lamb, and above all, "as it had been slain," and especially considering that this is seen at the Throne of God, tells us many things.

First and foremost, it tells us of the vast significance of what Christ did at the Cross. This is the key on which the entirety of the Plan of God turns. This tells us unequivocally that everything revolves around the Cross. That's why Paul was so adamant in telling us to "preach the Cross" (I Cor. 1:17-18, 21, 23; 2:2, 5). If Jesus is pictured thusly at the Throne of God, He must as well be pictured accordingly in the Church. We must preach the Cross, sing the Cross, proclaim the Cross, witness the Cross, and above all, place our Faith totally and completely in the Cross. When we say this, we are not talking about some lecture about a historical event. We're talking about the SPIRITUAL results that came as a result of Christ's Finished Work upon the cruel tree at Golgotha's Hill 2,000 years ago.

Let the Reader understand what he is seeing and hearing. Do not allow this great truth to be lost upon you. The Cross is not merely a doctrine, but rather the foundation of all Doctrine. I'm certain that what Jesus suffered at the Cross would not be explained by Him as a mere doctrine. The Cross is the under girding factor of all the Plan of God upon which rests the entirety of the Promises of God. Yet the modern church world preaches everything BUT the Cross and claims that the Promises of God rests upon other things. It's not we deny the Cross outright, we just seek to add to what Christ has done, which is in effect denying what He did, no matter how one looks at it. This grieves the Holy Spirit! Paul says such in Hebrews 10:26-29 when he says that if we trample under foot the blood of the covenant, speaking of the blood shed on the Cross, we do this "despite," the Spirit of grace. The Greek inference to the term "hath done despite unto," means to "insult," the Spirit of God.

Hebrews 10:26-29 - For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, [27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. [28] He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: [29] Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Let the reader be clear for the 10,000th time; the entirety of the Bible is the story of the Cross. In fact, unless one understands the Cross, one cannot understand the Bible. This means that the understanding of the Word is to be undertaken by first of all Faith being exhibited in the Finished Work of Christ. When Faith is thereby extended, and maintained we might quickly add, the understanding of the Word begins to be made clear. Unfortunately, far too many Believers attempt to understand the Word without first exhibiting Faith in the Cross, which brings the Holy Spirit upon the scene to help us rightly divide and discern God's Holy Word. It cannot be done this way!

If his Faith remains in Christ, and what Christ did at the Cross, the Word of God will be easily understood because the story of the Bible is the story of Redemption, which is the story of the Cross and the Resurrected Lamb of God!

Seven Horns....

Rev. 5:6-9
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. [7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

The phrase, "Having seven horns," is symbolism, as is the entirety of this Verse. The seven horns denote strength, power, and total dominion. "Seven" denotes the fact that His power and dominion are Almighty. What Christ did at the Cross gives Him the right of Rulership over all of creation.

Dominion had been originally forfeited to Satan, which was done at the Fall. It was gained back by Christ, but at great price. And now whatever dominion Satan has, it's actually his by default. In other words, the entirety of the billions on this Earth who are dominated by Satan, are held captive by him simply because they will not trust Christ. It is the same with Christians who do not know or understand God's path to victory. Many are saved but many live "miserable," battling every foe of darkness and failing in that fight. If we're fighting sin friend, we've already lost; our fight is the fight of faith! If we're fighting sin, we're fighting a battle already won!

1 Tim. 6:10-12
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. [12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.

Due to the fact that Jesus has horns, denotes the fact that dominion is His. Due to the fact that He has seven horns, tells us that His dominion is total. What does that mean to we as believers at this present time? It means that there should be nothing in one's life that brings a reproach to Christ. Christ has total dominion, which means that if Satan is usurping authority in your life, he is doing so by your consent. And what do we mean by that statement? Satan is a defeated foe. Paul plainly said that Jesus by what He did at the Cross, "spoiled principalities and powers, making a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Col. 2:14-15). So, the number "seven" tells us that His dominion is total and complete, and the following is what we must remember:

Everything He did was totally and completely for us. So, the dominion that He has gained and done so at great price, was all done on our behalf, and if it was done for us, for certain we should have in totality that for which He has suffered. These "seven horns" tell us that there is no need for any Believer to be in bondage to any sin or iniquity. That's why Paul said: "Sin shall not have dominion over you" (Rom. 6:14).

Romans 6:14
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

The great mistake many make as it regards Christ is misunderstanding His Mission. He came down here totally and completely for Adam's fallen race, and not at all for Himself, as should be obvious. The second mistake many make is to separate Christ from the Cross, which is the great sin of the Church. The unbeliever tries to picture Christ as the great healer and miracle worker, but they give no credence at all to the Cross. But again, almost all of the unredeemed picture Christ as merely a man, and not at all as God. Many Christians greatly believe in the Cross as it regards the initial Salvation experience, but separate Christ from the Cross after that. That's the reason they cannot live an overcoming life. Christ must always be thought of in connection with His Cross. That's the reason that Paul said:

1 Cor. 1:17
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

To place the emphasis on anything other than the Cross i.e. humanistic psychology, 12-step programs, rehab centers, is to "make the Cross of Christ of none effect." Of what effect is Paul speaking? The Cross of Christ affects every single facet of our being and our living. So the emphasis must always be on the Cross, which refers to what Jesus did there. That being the case, which means that one's Faith is totally in the Finished Work of Christ, and nothing else, then total dominion over the powers of darkness will be ours - if we believe and keep our faith anchored in Christ. That is the powerful message of the "seven horns," which John saw upon the Lamb.

Seven Eyes....

Secondly, John saw, "Seven Eyes," proclaiming the perfect knowledge, and understanding, and illumination of Christ. As it refers to the Child of God, continuing in the vein that He did all of this for us, the "Seven Eyes" refers to a proper understanding of the Word of God. Psalm 119 perfectly explains this "perfect illumination," i.e., "Seven Eyes." In that Psalm there are seven words used to define the Word of God. They are, "Law, Testimonies, Precepts, Statutes, Commandments, Judgments, and Word." The "illumination," of scripture rests upon the "seven eyes," upon a Slain Lamb! That speaks us once again that if one understands the Cross, the Word of God will then become so illumined that a child can see; on the contrasting side of that - if one does not understand the Cross properly, then one's illumination concerning God's Word will then be distorted, perverted at best and denied at its worst. That is why so many deny the things of the Spirit of God; they must be spiritually discerned and unless we have our eyes on the Cross, then the "seven eyes," of the Lamb will be of "no effect," to the believer!

The Seven Spirits of God - The Holy Spirit

Rev. 5:6-9 - And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. [7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

The phrase, "Which are the Seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the Earth," describes the attributes of the Holy Spirit. They are found in Isaiah 11:2. They are as follows:

1. The Spirit of the Lord.
2. The Spirit of Wisdom.
3. The Spirit of Understanding.
4. The Spirit of Counsel.
5. The Spirit of Might.
6. The Spirit of Knowledge.
7. The Spirit of Fear.

They are given to us in three doubles, with the Spirit of the Lord being at the head. Those three doubles are:

A. The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.
B. The Spirit of Counsel and Might.
C. The Spirit of Knowledge and of Fear of the Lord.

If it is to be noticed, the doubles complement each other. If one has "wisdom," one will have "understanding." If one has the right "counsel," he will then know how to use his "might." And then again, if we have the proper "knowledge" as it concerns the Lord, we will then have the proper "fear" of the Lord. If one looks closely at all seven of these attributes, one will quickly see that they cover the entirety of all things. Nothing is excluded.

The Holy Spirit And The Cross

If one is to notice, the Holy Spirit is so closely intertwined here with Christ, and more particularly with Christ as the slain Lamb, that it's impossible to separate the two; hence, we have the sevenfold anointing of the Spirit upon the Lord, as it refers to His Earthly Ministry. It is as follows:

1. The Spirit of the Lord Who anoints.
2. To preach the Gospel to the poor.
3. To heal the brokenhearted.
4. To preach deliverance to the captives.
5. The recovering of sight to the blind.
6. To set at liberty them who are bruised.
7. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Lk. 4:18-19).

While Christ did all of these things in His Earthly Ministry, what He did was limited to His Personal Presence. Since the Cross, there are no limitations, at least as far as Christ is concerned. If there is limitation, it is a lack of proper Faith on our part. When I use the term "proper Faith," I am referring to the fact that our Faith must be in Christ and what Christ did at the Cross on our behalf. This is the only Faith that God will honor. What I've just said is True Faith in the Word of God.

The Legal Work Of The Cross

When Christ died on the Cross, He satisfied the legal demands of a thrice-Holy God. So the Cross was not meant to pay some imagined debt owed to Satan, for God owes Satan nothing. The Cross was brought about in order that the debt could be paid to God, because it was God Who had been offended. Man had sinned against God. God accepted the death of Christ as payment for the terrible sin debt owed by all of humanity. Considering how big this debt was, we now know, at least somewhat, of the magnitude of the price that was paid.

All of this was a legal work. Actually, it is referred to as a "law." Paul said:

Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Now let the Reader understand that Paul is not speaking here of the Law of Moses, but rather "The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus."

This is the "Law" by which the Holy Spirit works. We are told that this "Law" is "in Christ Jesus." Whenever Paul uses the term "in Christ Jesus," or one of its derivatives such as "in Him," etc., always and without exception, he is speaking of what Jesus did at the Cross. In other words, this "Law of the Spirit of life," which refers to the way the Holy Spirit works, is all found in what Jesus did at the Cross. This is what I mean by the Cross being a legal work.

For the Believer to live this life, he must function within the parameters of this particular "Law." And how does he do that? First of all, as the Spirit works within the frame work of what Jesus did at the Cross, our Faith must likewise be in that Finished Work. The Holy Spirit demands Faith on our part, with the basis of all of this found in Romans, Chapter 6. In fact, Romans, Chapter 6 could be looked at as the Magna Carta of the Faith. This tells us what Jesus did for us at the Cross, and that when He died, our Faith in Him, at least in the mind of God, falls out to the fact that we were "baptized into His death," buried with Him, and raised with Him in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-5).

Understanding that, which means that the "old me" doesn't live here anymore, but that now I'm a new creation in Christ Jesus (II Cor. 5:17), therefore, I must "reckon myself to be dead indeed unto sin (the sin nature), but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:11).
This is where Faith comes in. My Faith is to be in the Cross at all times. Because I am "dead unto the sin nature," because of what Christ did for me at the Cross, and my Faith in that great Sacrifice. If this is done, then "sin shall not have dominion over me" (Rom. 6:14).

The Holy Spirit is God, which means that He can do anything. As well, He works strictly within the legal parameters of the Finished Work of Christ. If we understand this, thereby evidencing Faith in that Finished Work, and do so at all times, we are guaranteed of victory in our everyday living for God. We are also guaranteed to grow in Grace and the Knowledge of the Lord. We also are guaranteed "more abundant life" (Jn. 10:10). In other words, this is the secret to what Jesus did for us at the Cross.

We must understand that: A. Everything comes through the Cross; B. Our Faith must remain in the Cross; and, C. The Holy Spirit will then work greatly for us.

The phrase, "Sent forth into all the Earth," refers to the fact that every single thing that's done on this Earth by the Godhead is done exclusively through the Person, Work, Office, and Ministry of the Holy Spirit. And it also means that throughout the Earth, every single thing He does is done solely on and within the Sacrifice of Christ. Let me say it again:

It is "The Cross!" "The Cross!" "The Cross!"

...And He Took The Book

Rev. 5:7
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

The diagram is:

1. The Lamb now takes the Book.
2. The Greek conveys a powerful action in the word "took." The idea is, God the Father giving the Book to Him, proclaims His approval, as would be obvious.
3. Christ's victorious death on the Cross is the basis of His authority to redeem the world by taking and opening the seven-sealed Scroll.

The Book

The phrase, "And He came and took the Book," presents a moment unparalleled in human or Heavenly history. The significance of what happened is beyond comprehension. All of Heaven stands in awe as the Lamb steps forward to take the Book. He does so as Kinsman Redeemer, and is such as a result of the Cross.

Redemption has its roots in the past; however, its full realization points to the future. To be sure, the price of our Redemption was paid in full when Jesus died on the Cross; however, until He comes the second time without sin unto Salvation, Redemption will not be complete. This world has been under the domain of Satan, who is the god of this present world, for a long, long time. It must be repossessed and given back to the people of God. Jesus said: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth." But that inheritance to be sure, is yet future.
All of this is illustrated in the Law of Moses given to Israel in ages past.

The Law Of The Kinsman Redeemer

Under the ancient Laws of Israel, property was designated to stay in the families to which it had been originally given. If one found it necessary for whatever reason to dispose of his land, it was understood that the new ownership continued only until the year of Jubilee, which came about once every 50 years. At that time, all property reverted to its original owner; all debts were cancelled; all prisoners were set free. But beside that, the law of the Kinsman Redeemer stated that if the original owner or his heirs desired to do so, and in fact they had the money to pay the Redemption price, and they could establish legal claim to the property, it could be redeemed at any time.

At the time of the sale of the property, a legal document was executed in duplicate. This document specified the terms, so that the proper authorities would have a basis for settling claims before the year of Jubilee.

One of these documents was made public for all to see, with the other document sealed, and was not to be opened until the time of Redemption, that is if such a time came before the year of Jubilee. Both documents were identical. As a type, the open document, which could be freely observed by any and all, was a type of the Word of God. The closed document was a type of the seven-sealed Book.

If the property was to be redeemed, it had to be done so by the nearest of kin. The story of Ruth involves a perfect example. Boaz redeemed the property and married Ruth, but there was one nearer of kin than Boaz; however, he could not redeem the property, simply because he was already married, etc. This one who couldn't redeem the property was a type of the "Law of Moses," which had no power to redeem, with Boaz being a type of Christ, who could redeem, and in fact, did redeem.

The Heavenly Scene

To understand the meaning of the term "Kinsman Redeemer," we have to understand that such represents Christ. When Adam sinned he lost his right of dominion to this world. The inheritance at that time given to him by God passed not only out of his hands, but out of the hands of all who would come thereafter, for all were theoretically in Adam's loins. Due to what Adam did, Satan now claimed this world, and has literally laid it waste, by placing its inhabitants in captivity.

And yet, there is a title deed awaiting the time when the Kinsman Redeemer will take that sealed Book and repossess the lost inheritance.

The Right Hand

The phrase, "Out of the right hand of Him Who sat upon the Throne," proclaims that which is yet future. In fact, everything that John saw from Chapter 4 forward is future. Some may object to the symbolism, claiming that a Lamb cannot take anything out of anyone's hands, etc. If the following is understood, I think the situation will become clearer:

Much of Revelation, as stated, is given in symbolism. This could mean several things as far as John was concerned. John was to write (bear record) of all things "that he saw" (Rev. 1:2). Many of the things he saw, although strange, were not symbolism, but some obviously were. For example, Jesus is not a Lamb, even though He is referred to as such, and done so for purpose (Jn. 1:29). So what did John actually see when he saw Christ?

Of course, we do not know what he altogether saw, other than what he gave us in this Book. He could well have seen Christ as Christ is to be seen, and then the Holy Spirit could have changed the form of Christ, at least as far as the vision was concerned, telling John to then write what he had seen as it regards the symbolism. The symbolism was meant to portray not so much the Person of Christ, but rather the Purpose of Christ. Every picture breathes the Cross.

The John May Have Seen It

The Throne of God in all of its glory is pictured in a splendor beyond comprehension. The Ancient of Days is seated upon that Throne. It is encircled by a rainbow, so the majesty of this scene is beyond words. Close to the Throne are those awful "Living Ones," with their strange faces, and above all the entirety of their bodies covered with eyes. Around them are the 24 Elders seated on lesser Thrones.

In the hand of the Almighty is the Book in question. It's the seven-sealed Book! A mighty Angel steps forward and challenges the entirety of creation. He says, "Who is worthy to open the Book, and to loose the seals thereof?" At this time, the destiny of the lost world, the lost son's of Adam's race, hangs in the balance. Heaven is silent! Is there anyone who can open the Book?

John knows the significance of this Book. If no one is found worthy to break its seals, and read its contents, then all the Promises of the Prophets, all the hopes of God's people, all the Messages of the Apostles and Evangelists have been in vain. If no Kinsman Redeemer appears, then the purchased possession must be lost by default. The sons of this lost race can never inherit the Earth, so this means that the moment is pregnant and overwhelming.Then one of the Elders speaks to John, telling him to "Weep not!" He tells John that One is worthy, and refers to Him as the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah."

Instantly, John is encouraged, because this title refers to Christ. But lo, when he looks, instead of seeing a Lion, he sees a Lamb. And above that, it is a Lamb that bears the marks of having been slain, but yet this Lamb is now very much alive. As the question booms out, "Who is worthy?", the pregnant silence seems to fill the expanse of the Throne of God. Perhaps one could say that it is deafening.

But then the Lamb reaches forth and takes the Book from the hand of Him Who sits upon the Throne. When He does this, there seems to be an electric excitement that fills the air. It's like the whole universe and Heavenly Host bursts forth into praise. A Kinsman Redeemer has been found; the Redemption of the purchased possession is assured.

What will He use to pay the price? But praise of praises, the price has already been paid, and God has accepted it as "paid in full." The Lamb is worthy! The Lamb has paid the price! The Lamb has redeemed the lost inheritance! The Lamb has taken away the sin of the world!

His hands alone are worthy to break those seals. The destiny of men and nations is in those nail-pierced hands! This tells us that every single Revelation we get from God comes to us through the Man of the Cross. All we know of the future comes to us through Him Who loved us and gave Himself for us. That is the message of this Passover season - the Spirit has come to glorify the Lamb! One cannot separate the Lamb from the Cross and we cannot separate the Spirit from the Lamb. Praise God for the blood of the Risen Christ, the Lamb of God, the glorified Christ, the darling of heaven's sacrifice, HE IS WORTHY of all praise and glory.

As you and your family celebrate this glorious season, let us never forget the great sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We pray you know this Christ today. The blood of Jesus can set you free! The blood of Jesus has broken every chain and shackle of sin and darkness known to man. Through Him we have surety of a glorious salvation, one soaked in blood and one soaked in victory! The Spirit of God has bore witness to this great gospel with signs and wonders and we would be wise to hear what the SPIRIT is saying to the church and as Paul warned in Hebrews, "harden not our hearts."

Have a blessed Easter, Passover season in 2007. We love you and pray God's riches blessings upon you! Praise God.

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