(Transcribed from the Words of Life Radio Program)

In the first chapter of the gospel of John and verse 29 we have these words spoken by John the Baptist where he said: Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The importance of this verse is emphasized many times in the Scripture. In 1 Peter chapter one we read from verse 18 through 19: You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ the Lamb without blemish or defect. All of this reminds us of the Passover Lamb that was to be sacrificed back in Exodus chapter 12 where the Israelites, where each family was to take a lamb, one without defect. They were to kill it and then they were to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of their houses where they were to eat the Passover. And this, again, is given to us by the prophet Isaiah in chapter 53 verse six and seven. We all like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way. And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he did not open his mouth.

The Lamb of God is mentioned several times, about five, in the New Testament before we get to the book of Revelation. But in the book of Revelation the Lamb of God is mentioned at least 26 times. So this morning I want to read those passages in the book of Revelation concerning the Lamb of God. So this is not what you might think of as a three point sermon, not that I have anything against three point sermons. They are very good. But this one is simply to give to you every instance where the Lamb of God is mentioned in the book of Revelation. We begin in Revelation chapter five verses one through six where John is given a vision of heaven and he sees God sitting on his throne holding a scroll in his hand. And he sees a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice: Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll? But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. And the next verse says that John wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Somehow John understood that something of terrible importance was wrapped up in this scroll that was sealed with seven seals.

Some people have called this the title deed to the universe. It may well be, but certainly John well understood that his fate and the fate of all humanity was tied up in the administration of what is written in that book. And so he wept and wept.

But one of the elders said to him: Do not weep. See, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.
So John looks and instead of seeing a lion verse six says: I saw a lamb looking as if it had been slain standing in the center of the throne. And when he had taken it—that is, this lamb takes that book from the hand of God—when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the 24 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 the saints. And they sing a new song. You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain and with your blood you purchased men for God form 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.

So her we find something wonderful about the Lamb. He not only has purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, purchased them with his blood, but he has made those that he has purchased to be a kingdom and priests—he is speaking of you and me if you are a child of God today—to serve God and eventually we shall reign on the earth.

Then, as we continue in the fifth chapter of Revelation in verses 11 to 14, as John looks he hears a voice of many angels. These number thousands upon thousands, ten thousand times ten thousand. And with a loud voice they say: Worthy is the Lamb. So, here again, we read of the Lamb of God and these many angels are giving praise to him saying: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and praise. And then he hears 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 forever and ever.

 

So in these passages we see the glory of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the earth. All glory and praise is to him. The four living creatures in verse 14 they said: Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped.

Now we want to go to Revelation chapter six and here we read in verse one that John watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. So Christ who is the Lamb of God is about to open these seals, this seven sealed book. Now these seven seals comprise the whole judgment drama of the Revelation. For out of them come the whole sweep of the judgments of God during the great tribulation. These judgments are poured out upon a rebellious earth and they culminate in the glorious coming of the King in chapter 19. But terrible as these judgments are, they are under the absolute control of the Lamb. He opens the seals and he administers and brings about everything that we read from there on and it is all under his control.

Further on in chapter six we jump to the sixth seal and when he opens that seal there is a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sack cloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red and the stars in the sky fell to earth as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up. And every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich and the mighty and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the rocks: Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come and who can stand?   So the Lamb of God also shall execute the wrath of God and in that day who can stand?

Then in chapter seven verses nine through 17 it says: After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They are wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. Then one of the elders asked me: These in white robes, who are they and where do they come from? But I answered: Sir, you know. In other words, John is saying he did not recognize them. This great multitude dressed in white robes and they are standing there in the presence of God and in front of the Lamb. And these are people, not angels, people dressed in white robes. John looks at them. He doesn’t see anyone he recognizes. So he says: Sir, I don’t know who they are. The question was: Who are they and where did they come from? The answer is: These are they who have come out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

So the great mass of the book of Revelation from chapter six on has to do with the great tribulation. Although the Church will not be here during that time, for we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before it takes place. But, even so, during the time of the tribulation the gospel will be preached and some who will be converted. Here is a great multitude who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

As we read on it says: Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger. Hunger is one of the things that many will experience during the tribulation, especially those who refuse to take the mark of the beast because they can neither buy or sell, so they may end up starving to death. But never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them nor any scorching heat, neither of the judgments that comes during the time of the tribulation. But they will be freed from all of that and in verse 17 says: The Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Then we go to chapter 12 of Revelation. Here we read of a war, this war in heaven, verse seven on down. Michael and his angels are fighting against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fight back, but he is not strong enough and they lose their place in heaven and that great dragon is hurled down, that ancient serpent called the devil or Satan. So here he is identified. We know who this dragon is now, the one who leads the whole world astray. That is what is going on right now. Satan is, indeed, leading the whole world astray. But the time is going to come when he will be hurled to the earth and his angels with him. That has not happened yet. This is still in the future. But in verse 10 it says: I heard a loud voice in heaven say: Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers who accuses them before our God day and night has been hurled down. So there we are told of Satan who is the accuser of the brethren, of all who believe in Christ and he is up there accusing us before God day and night. But here he is going to be thrown down. And notice especially in verse 11 it says: They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. They overcame him. Who is they? It is the brethren, that is, the children of God whom Satan is accusing. But the Christians, the faithful children of God have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, by the Word of their testimony and by being willing to die for Christ.

So Michael and his angels are only able to cast Satan down not by any arbitrary power, but because of the faithfulness of the children of God, by the blood of the Lamb.

Then in chapter 13 we read of the beast. The beast is given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and he exercises his authority here on the earth for 42 months. This is still, of course, something in the future. It is during the time of the great tribulation. But this beast will open his mouth in verse six to blaspheme God and to slander the name of God and slander his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. And then verse seven says that he was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. So during that period of time anyone who wants to believe in God and in Christ the antichrist, the beast will make war against them and conquer them. He was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast. This will be a fearful time when that great delusion, turning away of all peoples away from the truth, they will worship the beast who it is specified all those whose names have not been written in the book of live belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. Is your name written there in the book of life belonging to the Lamb?

Verse nine says: He who has an ear let him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with a sword, with the sword he will be killed. Then the remainder of that verse says: This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints. From this verse it seems to me that God is saying that he is not going to deliver any of his children during that time. Satan giving his power to the antichrist, the antichrist, the beast will make war against the saints. God will not deliver them the way he delivered Peter. Do you remember when Peter was in prison? Herod was intending to kill him, but prayer was made for him by the Church and God sent an angel and delivered Peter from the prison. But during this time of the tribulation, God will not answer those kind of prayers. He will answer prayers where we call upon him to help us to be faithful, to be patient and endure those things. But is your name written in the book of life?

Then in chapter 14 verses one to five John says he looked and there before him was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion and with him was 144,000 who had his name and his father’s name written on their foreheads. And these sing a great song. We are told who they are that they are the first fruits through God and then Lamb. This is the, I believe, the 144,000 that is mentioned back in chapter seven who are redeemed from the nation of Israel. No lie is found in their mouths. They are blameless. But they are the first fruits of God and the Lamb and they stand before the Lamb.

Then, further on, as we read in chapter 14 there we read of three angels flying through the earth. One of them as he flies through the earth proclaims the gospel of God and calls upon people to repent. Then the third angel from verse nine on down is giving a warning from God. God does not bring his judgments on the earth without warnings. For God wants people to repent and to turn to him. But he gives this warning that all might now. If anyone worship the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the than, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. So there is the warning against receiving the mark of the beast.

Now it is in our day today that finally technology has come up with the way to give that mark. Never before in the history of the earth until now has the technology existed to put such a mark on the hand or the forehead of all creatures, all people on the face of the earth so that no one can buy or sell without that. So with our modern banking facilities and credit cards and all of those things and computers, now there is that technology that such a mark can be given and you will not be able to buy or sell without it. There will be a cashless economy. And here we read that those who receive that mark they will be cast into the lake of fire, burning sulfur and the smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever. And there is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image or anyone who receives the mark of his name. Again, the warning is given and in verse 12: This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

 

Verse 13: I heard a voice from heaven saying: Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. It is almost sure that all who try to be faithful to God and to Christ during the time of the tribulation will lose their lives. But we have this promise. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

Then in chapter 15 from verses one to four he sees another marvelous sign. Seven angels with seven last plagues. We don’t have time to read all of those plagues. But these are the last because with them God’s wrath is completed. And he sees what looks like the sea of glass mixed with fire. And there standing beside the sea those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. These are people who during the time of the tribulation have become victorious over the beast and over his image and over the number of his names. They have lost their lives, but have gained eternal life.

And we read: They held harps given them by God and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God and the song of the Lamb. So the song of Moses, the song of the Lamb is a song of redemption and a song of praise to the Lord God. And so they sing: Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear you, oh Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you for your righteous acts have been revealed.

And in chapter 17 speaking of the time of the antichrist the beast who has 10 horns, he says: The 10 horns you saw are 10 kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. They will make war against the Lamb.

We are seeing that even today. There is much war in many corners against Christianity and this will increase. At the time of the antichrist when the beast reigns that war will be universal. They will make war against the Lamb. But the Lamb will overcome them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. And with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.

Then in chapter 19 we have the wedding of the Lamb. This is given to us in verse seven. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory for the wedding of the Lamb is come and his bride has made herself ready. Now who is the bride? Linen identifies here. Fine linen, bright and clean was given her to wear. Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.

Then in chapter 21 from verse 19 on one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came to John and said to him: Come. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. So here now is the new heaven and the new earth where the Lamb reigns in that holy city Jerusalem. We read that he showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God and his brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper clear as crystal. It had a great high wall with 12 gates with 12 angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the earth, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. Then verse 14. The wall of the city had 12 foundations and on them were the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb.

And then in chapter 21 from verses 22 on down he says: I did not see a temple in the city because the Lord God almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp. Remember the Lord Jesus Christ said: I am the light of the world.
In Revelation 21 and verse 27 he speaks of that holy city, that new Jerusalem and he tells us that nothing impure will ever enter into it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. So, again, we ask the question: Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life?
And then from chapter 22 from verse one on down the angel shows John a river of water of life as clear as crystal flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. This flows down the middle of the great street of the city and on each side of the river there is the tree of life, a whole grove of trees it seems that was bearing crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. And the curse is lifted. Verse three says no longer will there be any curse, but the throne of God and the throne of the Lamb will be in the city and his servants will serve him.

So that is the last of the references where the word Lamb is found. And, of course, the occurrences with the pronoun he referring to the Lamb are far too numerous to mention. But now I want to give you just the last words of our Lord Jesus Christ, the last words that he has spoken to us in Revelation 22 verses 12 to 16. He says: Behold, I am coming soon. My reward is with me and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

 

So what reward will you have, my brethren? He says his reward is with him to give to everyone according to what he has done. And then he says: I am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. And then he pronounces a great blessing which we want to have pronounced upon us. Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Then in verse 16 he says: I Jesus have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David and the bright morning star. And then there is a warning given to us in verse 18 of chapter 22. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds anything to them God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says: Yes, I am coming soon. And we say: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

                  Robert Garrett is a missionary to Zimbabwe. When not in Zimbabwe, he resides in Louisville, KY  

                                             with his wife, Joy.