Day 80

It amazes me that I haven't written in a week. What could I have possibly been doing? Well, I am still taking a class on Revelation, which is why I haven’t posted in a while. I have been way too busy writing and posting on the forums for class. It has been really good, but in the midst of working out all of the small details about Revelation, I keep coming back to this one point. This whole book is about the Lamb. When Jesus gave John this revelation, he showed Himself just as He wanted to be portrayed. I love the scene in Rev 5 when Jesus first makes His entrance.

Picture this. John is seeing heaven in the midst of a dynamic scene. The Father, the glorious One who is seated on the throne is holding out a scroll to the entire created order. Who is worthy to take the scroll? The cry rings forth and a search ensues. I can just imagine angels being sent forth searching throughout heaven and earth and under the earth. They return breathless (do angels breathe?) and between gasps declare that no one could be found. Not one person was worthy. Nothing could be more tragic! John is overcome with emotion and begins to weep. I see him begin to cry out with deep inconsolable sobs. There is silence in heaven save for the sorrow welling up in the beloved apostle's heart. But then an elder taps John on the shoulder and delivers the most comforting message that I have ever heard.

“Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to open its seals.”

I was going to continue on to the entrance of the main character, but I just can’t move on from this verse. He has prevailed. There is something that is so powerful in that simple statement. He did it. He conquered death for us all. Here is being presented by His covenantal names, the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of Jesse. He has so carefully chosen how he would reveal himself to us. He could have come forth as super Jesus, complete with giant ‘S’ painted on His chest and a cape. But no, He reveals himself to us in the way that He wants to be seen.

I have decided that it is late and I am going to wait until tomorrow to speak about the main character’s entrance. But just in case you guys don’t like cliffhangers, I will give you a hint.

He appears as a Lamb that has been slain, and the implications are stunning.