Revelation 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Every part of John’s vision is symbolic. The Lion now becomes the Lamb. John continues to see the meaning of more Old Testament images. The slain Lamb recalls the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, especially that which brought atonement for sins. John the Baptist believed Jesus to be “the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). The Lamb now stands slain because he gave his life for the sins of all people. He lives though because of resurrection. He still bears the marks of his crucifixion to show the meaning of his sacrifice. There is no doubt that this lamb had been slain for sin but now lives.
The Lamb stands symbolically at the center of the throne. This shows the Lamb’s sovereignty and association with God. There is now a merging of the imagery of God from chapter four and the imagery of the Lamb. The same living creatures and elders of chapter 4 now circle the Lamb. The seven spirits of God are now combined with the imagery of seven horns and seven eyes. Jesus is the “horn of salvation” mentioned in 2 Samuel 22:3, Psalm 18:2, and Luke 1:69. The images of Jesus in this verse highlight the salvation he brought and how this salvation has gone throughout the whole earth. His power and sovereignty are revealed by his position on the throne of God. His seven horns, eyes, and spirits show how his salvation goes throughout all the earth. These images should cause the reader to stop, ponder, and like the creatures, fall down in praise and worship.
For older posts, click here.