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The Lamb's Worthiness and Holiness in Revelation 5

Revelation 5:12 declares the Lamb worthy to receive "power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing" [1, 2]. This acclamation follows the Lamb's unique ability to open a scroll sealed with seven seals, which details God's plan for the world [8, 11]. The Lamb, identified as Jesus Christ, is the central figure in Revelation, acting as God's chosen agent to accomplish divine purposes [11].

The imagery of the "Lamb" is significant throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, a lamb often represented a young animal used for sacrifice, particularly in the daily morning and evening sacrifices, and at significant feasts like the Passover [3, 4]. The Passover lamb, in particular, is seen as a type of Christ, being a male of the first year, without blemish, and whose blood was shed [5]. Christ's human nature was necessary for his mediatorial office, as he partook of flesh and blood [6].

In Revelation 5, the Lamb is depicted as "standing" [10], and specifically as "a Lamb who was slaughtered" [2]. This emphasizes Christ's sacrificial death, which makes him worthy of worship and gives him divine authority to initiate the events of this age [8, 9]. The Lamb's worthiness is directly linked to his sacrifice, through which he "won the right to break the seals of the scroll and enact God’s purposes in history" [8].

The praise offered to the Lamb in Revelation 5:12 is comprehensive, encompassing seven aspects of worthiness. This echoes the idea that God himself is worthy of praise due to his majesty, glory, excellency, greatness, holiness, wisdom, and power [7]. The Lamb's worthiness is not merely a reflection of God's, but is inherent due to his redemptive work. The scene in Revelation 5 portrays the entire created order joining in a new song of praise to the Lamb [8]. John Gill notes that the Lamb is Christ, often compared to a lamb for his innocence and purity [13]. The Lamb's presence on Mount Zion, representing the gospel church, signifies Christ's enduring presence with his church through all troubles [12].

Sources

  1. Revelation “saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!” -- Revelation 5:12”
  2. Revelation of John “Revelation of John 5:12 (LEB) — saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!””
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Lamb, The — The young of the flock -- Ex 12:5; Eze 45:15. Described as Patient. -- Isa 53:7. Playful. -- Ps 114:4,6. Exposed to danger from wild beasts -- 1Sa 17:34. The shepherd's care for -- Isa 40:11. Used for Food. -- De 32:14; 2Sa 12:4. Clothing. -- Pr 27:26. Sacrifice. -- 1Ch 29:21; 2Ch 29:32. Considered a great delicacy -- Am 6:4. Offered in sacrifice Males. -- Ex 12:5. Females. -- Nu 6:14. While sucking. -- 1Sa 7:9. At a year old. -- Ex 12:5; Nu 6:14. From the earliest times. -- Ge 4:4; 22:7,8. Every morning and evening. -- Ex 29:38,39; Nu 28:3,4. At the pass”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lamb — (1.) Heb. kebes, a male lamb from the first to the third year. Offered daily at the morning and the evening sacrifice (Ex. 29:38-42), on the Sabbath day (Num. 28:9), at the feast of the New Moon (28:11), of Trumpets (29:2), of Tabernacles (13-40), of Pentecost (Lev. 23:18-20), and of the Passover (Ex. 12:5), and on many other occasions (1 Chr. 29:21; 2 Chr. 29:21; Lev. 9:3; 14:10-25). (2.) Heb. taleh, a young sucking lamb (1 Sam. 7:9; Isa. 65:25). In the symbolical language of Scripture the lamb is the type of meekness and innocence (Isa. 11:6; 65:25; Luke 10:”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Paschal Lamb, Typical Nature Of — A type of Christ -- Ex 12:3; 1Co 5:7. A male of the first year -- Ex 12:5; Isa 9:6. Without blemish -- Ex 12:5; 1Pe 1:19. Taken out of the flock -- Ex 12:5; Heb 2:14,17. Chosen before-hand -- Ex 12:3; 1Pe 2:4. Shut up four days that it might be closely examined -- Ex 12:6; Joh 8:46; 18:38. Killed by the people -- Ex 12:6; Ac 2:23. Killed at the place where the Lord put his name -- De 16:2,5-7; 2Ch 35:1; Lu 13:33. Killed in the evening -- Ex 12:6; Mr 15:34,37. Its blood to be shed -- Ex 12:7; Lu 22:20. Blood of, sprinkled on lintel an”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
  8. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 5:9: 5:9-10 The whole created order joins in a new song of praise to the Lamb (cp. 14:1-5; Ps 149:1; Isa 42:10). • The Lamb is worthy because, through his sacrifice, he won the right to break the seals of the scroll and enact God’s purposes in history. • The song summarizes the implications of the Good News about Jesus (1 Pet 1:18-25).”
  9. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 5:8: 5:8 fell down before the Lamb: The crucified and risen Christ has divine authority to initiate the events of this age; he is fully worthy of worship. • The prayers of God’s people become a significant basis for the judgments and plagues (6:9-11; 8:2-5).”
  10. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 14:1: 14:1-5 The true Lamb and his followers starkly contrast with the evil trinity. 14:1 standing: See 5:6; study note on 12:18. • 144,000: God’s righteous remnant (see study note on 7:4-8). • The brand on their foreheads (contrast 13:16-17) is the name of both the Lamb and his Father, reflecting the union of Jesus and the Father (see John 5:20-23; 14:5-10; 17:22).”
  11. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 5:1: 5:1-14 John introduces the Lamb, Jesus Christ, the central figure of Revelation and God’s chosen agent for accomplishing his purposes. 5:1 The scroll, like a dramatic script, details God’s plan for the world (Ps 139:16). • The right hand represents God’s gracious authority and power (see Rev 1:17, 20). • The writing on the inside and the outside means that God’s plans for history are full and complete. • sealed with seven seals: God has put his purposes for history in an impermeable safe (Isa 29:11-12; Dan 8:26). His purposes will be completed only when the sea”
  12. Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 14:1: Here we have one of the most pleasing sights that can be viewed in this world - the Lord Jesus Christ at the head of his faithful adherents and attendants. Here observe, 1. How Christ appears: as a Lamb standing upon mount Zion. Mount Zion is the gospel church. Christ is with his church and in the midst of her in all her troubles, and therefore she is not consumed. It is his presence that secures her perseverance; he appears as a Lamb, a true Lamb, the Lamb of God. A counterfeit lamb is mentioned as rising out of the earth in the last chapter, which was really”
  13. Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 5:6: And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts,.... These words, "in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts", are left out in the Syriac version: and in the midst of the elders stood a Lamb; John, upon the intimation given him by the elder, lift up his eyes, and with great earnestness looked about, and saw the person he pointed at, though not in the form of a lion, but in the appearance of a lamb, to which Christ, both in the Old and New Testament, is often compared; and that very aptly, for his innocence and purity of nature; fo”
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