The “Lion and the Lamb” passage refers to Revelation 5:5-6 in the Bible, which reads: “And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’ And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
This passage has led to some confusion, because Jesus Christ is referred to as both a “Lion” and a “Lamb.” Some have interpreted this to mean that Jesus has a dual nature – he is both ferocious and gentle, a conquering king and a sacrificial lamb. This passage is the source of the popular “Lion and Lamb” motif referring to Jesus.
When examining this passage in context, it is referencing two separate coming works of Jesus Christ. The first mention of the Lion refers to his second coming, when he will return in power and glory to judge the earth. The second mention of the Lamb points back to his first coming, when Jesus came humbly to die on the cross for our sins. So in essence, Jesus is both the Lion who will conquer evil, and the Lamb who was slain to redeem us.
Some key points about the Lion and Lamb in Revelation 5:
- The Lion represents the Messiah in his regal, kingly nature – the Lion of Judah was a common title for the Christ in prophecy (Genesis 49:9). As the Root of David, Jesus fulfills the Davidic covenant as the King who will sit on David’s throne forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13).
- The Lamb emphasizes Jesus’ sacrificial death, which he underwent willingly according to God’s plan. He is standing “as though slain” – bearing the scars of his crucifixion even in heaven (John 1:29).
- Together, the Lion and Lamb demonstrate Christ’s dual nature and mission – he conquered sin and death through his sacrificial death as the Lamb, and now reigns in power and authority as the Lion.
- The passage transitions from Lion to Lamb to show that while Jesus reigns as King, his authority comes from his willingness to be slain as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
- The Lamb is slain but standing, alive again – just as Jesus was crucified and resurrected, showing his ultimate victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).
In summary, Revelation 5 presents a multi-faceted depiction of Jesus Christ. He is both the Lion of Judah, triumphing over every foe, and the Lamb who was slain to redeem people from every nation by his blood. This passage provides rich imagery of who Jesus is and what he has accomplished for believers in his dual role as sacrificial Lamb and victorious Lion.
Understanding the Context of Revelation 5
Revelation 5 comes towards the beginning of the book of Revelation, as John’s vision shifts from God’s throne room to a scroll with seven seals. This scroll contains the judgments that will be poured out on the earth in the end times. But no one is worthy to open this scroll – to enact God’s plans – until the Lamb prevails and is found worthy.
The context is the heavenly throne room, where all creation waits expectantly as the seals of the scroll are broken to unleash God’s purposes on the earth. The Lamb’s worthiness to open the scroll signifies his qualification to pour out the coming judgments, because he has triumphed over sin by the blood of his cross.
Some key points about the context of Revelation 5:
- Revelation 4-5 form a literary unit describing the heavenly throne room.
- Chapter 5 opens with God holding a scroll in his right hand – containing his plans for judgment and redemption.
- A strong angel proclaims with a loud voice “Who is worthy to open the scroll?” (v. 2).
- No one in heaven or earth is found worthy, causing John to weep because God’s plans seem thwarted (v. 4).
- The Lamb prevails – he is worthy because he was slain, resurrected, and purchased people for God by his blood (vv. 5-10).
- This leads to rejoicing and praise because the Lamb is now able to enact God’s purposes through opening the scroll.
As the context indicates, Revelation 5 is pivotal because it portrays Christ’s worthiness to open the seals and advance God’s eschatological plans. His worthiness is based on his sacrificial death which redeemed people from across all nations and cultures. The Lamb is the key actor in this drama, further confirming his centrality in redemption and judgment.
The Lion and the Lamb in Biblical Theology
Tracing the Lion and Lamb motifs throughout Scripture provides deeper insight into the biblical theology behind Revelation 5. Both concepts have roots in the Old Testament before coming together in Revelation’s presentation of Jesus.
The Lion of Judah
The Lion represents royalty, dominion, and authority. Calling Christ the Lion of Judah identifies him as the powerful rightful King from the tribe of Judah.
Key Old Testament roots of this image include:
- Jacob’s prophecy over his son Judah, predicting kings would come from his line (Genesis 49:8-10).
- The blessing for the tribe of Judah to subdue their enemies and rule (Deuteronomy 33:7).
- The Davidic covenant where kings would come from David’s line forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
- The expectation of a royal Messiah from Judah’s line who would reign over God’s kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1-5).
New Testament writers pick up this imagery in referring to Jesus as the Lion of Judah (Hebrews 7:14), presenting him as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and hopes. The title Lion of Judah connotes Christ’s authority as King and his capability to establish God’s victorious kingdom.
The Slain Lamb
The image of a lamb recurs in Scripture in connection with atonement for sin and sacrificial death.
Key Old Testament roots include:
- The sacrifice of a lamb as substitute for Isaac’s life (Genesis 22:13).
- The Passover lamb that saved Israel from death (Exodus 12).
- The lambs slain as sin offerings to atone for people’s sins (Leviticus 4-5).
- The lamb led to slaughter in Isaiah 53, pointing to the suffering servant who would die for the people.
John the Baptist identifies Christ as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), recognizing Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial lamb. Revelation picks up this motif but takes it further – exalting the Lamb who was slain but now stands victorious over death.
Together, these backgrounds provide the rich theological fabric behind the Lion and the Lamb depictions which come together in Revelation 5. Jesus fulfills both roles – mighty lion conquering through laying down his life as a sacrificial lamb.
Interpreting the Lion and the Lamb
When interpreting this passage, it is important to hold the Lion and Lamb depictions in balance instead of focusing on one to the exclusion of the other. Some principles for interpretation include:
- Recognize the dual nature of Christ’s work – he achieved victory both mighty warrior and sacrificial lamb.
- Avoid imagining the lion and lamb as docile companions – the images symbolize different aspects of Christ’s nature and work.
- Link the Lion and Lamb to Old Testament background – this passage builds on rich biblical theology.
- Keep the whole context of Revelation in view – the unsealing of the scroll signals Christ’s worthiness to pour out coming judgments.
- See that the Lion has overcome through being a slain Lamb – the power of self-sacrificial love triumphs over evil.
In light of these principles, the Lion and Lamb points to the paradoxical nature of Christ’s redemptive work. He has conquered sin and death not through raw power but through willingly being slain. And now he stands worthy to enact God’s powerful plans as the Lion-Lamb who was slain but lives and reigns forever.
Implications for Our Understanding of Jesus
This passage has several implications for how we should understand Jesus Christ in light of this Lion and Lamb imagery:
- Jesus fulfills Old Testament expectations – He is the long-expected Messiah who fulfills prophecy through his davidic kingship and sacrificial death.
- Jesus redeems people by substitutionary atonement – As the Lamb, he dies in our place to free us from the penalty and power of sin.
- Jesus has supreme authority to enact God’s plans – As the Lion, he has the right to pour out judgment and establish God’s kingdom.
- Jesus has a dual nature – He is both powerful Lion and sacrificial Lamb; mighty warrior and suffering servant.
- Jesus identifies with the weak and suffering – He is a slain Lamb who endured agony and death to redeem the lost.
- Jesus overcomes through self-sacrificial love – The way of the Lamb – giving oneself for others – defeats evil in the end.
Truly grasping Revelation 5 gives incredible insights into the nature, character, and work of Jesus Christ. He is both Lion and Lamb, and praise belongs to him who conquers through the blood of the Lamb and is worthy to open the scroll and fulfill God’s purposes!
Application for Believers Today
There are several important applications believers can take from this passage today:
- Worship Jesus for who he is and what he has done – Thank him for his self-sacrifice to rescue you and for his authority to carry out God’s plans.
- Rest in Christ’s worthiness – His worthiness gives assurance that God’s purposes will triumph and all evil will be defeated.
- Follow the way of the Lamb – Be willing to sacrifice your own interests to love others and advance God’s kingdom.
- Find courage to persevere – No matter how strong the evil in the world, the Lion has conquered and will fully establish God’s kingdom.
- Hope in the Lion’s final victory – The Lamb’s resurrection proves that death is defeated. The Lion will bring judgment and make all things right in the end.
This passage highlights aspects of Jesus’ nature we must embrace – both his gentleness and his justice, his mercy and his might. As Lamb, he showed the power of self-giving love. As Lion, he will complete the triumph over evil. We look forward to the day when the Lion and the Lamb reign forever!