Disciples Digital Library

When certain “ super-apostles ” began to undermine his teachings, Paul reminded the church that the “ serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness ,” and he went on to warn against anyone who might appear among believers “ proclaiming another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or a different spirit, or a different gospel .”

Jesus is the “slain Lamb,” the true Messiah of Israel sent by God to redeem humanity and “shepherd” the nations.  The Book of  Revelation  is addressed to the “ churches of Asia ” and begins with  salutations from God, the “ seven spirits that are before His throne ,” and especially from Jesus Christ,  the “ faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth .” These labels not only establish his royal “credentials,” but point to how he obtained sovereignty over the earth.

In Revelation, humanity is divided into two and only two groups – followers of the Lamb and subjects of the Beast .  Every man and woman either “ tabernacles in heaven ” or is included among the “ inhabitants of the earth .” These descriptions are  NOT  geographical or spatial. Instead, they reflect the  ALLEGIANCE OF EITHER GROUP .

The Messiah “shepherds” the nations by the “word” that proceeds out of his mouth in preparation for the final battle - Revelation 19:11-16 .  The vision now anticipates the destruction of the “ beast ” and the “ False Prophet ” by introducing the warrior figure riding a “ white horse .” The groundwork for the coming “battle” was laid with the announcement of the victory of the “ Lamb ” over the “ beast ” and the “ kings of the earth ” in chapter 17 (For he is “ Lord of lords and King of kings ”).

The Lamb overcomes the Beast and Babylon because he is the “Lord of lords, and King of kings”  –  Revelation 17:14-18 .  Next, John was provided with the interpretation of what he saw - “ Babylon ” is the “ great city ” that sways the political powers of the earth in alliance with the “ beast ,” and her persecution of the “ saints ” is an extension of the Dragon’s “ war ” against them. But Jesus overcomes the “ beast ” and “ Babylon ,” though he does so in unexpected and paradoxical ways.

The fifteenth chapter introduces the seven angels who empty the contents of the “ seven bowls of wrath .” But first, the “ overcoming ” saints are found standing on the “ sea of glass mingled with fire ” where they “ sing the song of Moses and the Lamb .” They have overcome the “ Beast, its image, mark, and number .”

The saints overcome the Dragon through the death of the Lamb and their faithful witness even unto death  – Revelation 12:11.  In Chapter 12 of the book of  Revelation , the “ sign of the Great Red Dragon ” appears in the heavens, signifying that the “ war ” has commenced between his forces and those of the “ son ” who is destined to “ shepherd the nations .” But the result of Satan’s attempt to destroy the “ son ” is his expulsion from “ heaven ,” and the proclamation of the victory of the “ brethren. ”

The sacrifice and exaltation of Jesus are prominent themes in the book of  Revelation . God’s plan to redeem humanity is unveiled in its visions, and his death, resurrection, and enthronement are putting it into action. His sovereignty over the Cosmos is the result of his faithful obedience unto death.

The book of  Revelation  assures the beleaguered congregations of Asia that Jesus reigns and has events firmly under his control despite appearances and hostility. His sovereignty is based on his death and resurrection, and the latter marked the commencement of his reign from the messianic throne.

The central figure in John’s visions is the slain Lamb who alone is worthy to open the sealed scroll and receive sovereignty – Revelation 5:5-14.  [ Photo by Sulthan Auliya on Unsplash ] Next, John sees the “ sealed scroll ” held tightly in the right hand of the “ One Who Sits on the Throne .” A search is made of the entire creation for someone who is “ worthy ” to open the scroll. Alas, no one is found, causing John to weep profusely. If the scroll remains sealed, its contents will not be implemented.

In Revelation, Jesus began his Messianic Reign on the Throne of God following his Death and Resurrection  –  Revelation 5:6-10 .  The  book of Revelation  assures the beleaguered congregations of Asia that Jesus is reigning now and has events firmly under his control, despite appearances and hostility from the surrounding society. His exaltation and kingly authority are based on his past Death and Resurrection, which marked the commencement of his reign from the messianic “ throne .”

SYNOPSIS: The central figure of the book is the freshly slain Lamb who alone has the authority to open the Sealed Scroll, beginning with its seven seals - Revelation 4:1-5:14.  The scene in chapters 4 and 5 is the theological center of the book of Revelation and sets the stage for all that follows. Through a paradoxical victory, the sacrificial Lamb is crowned sovereign over the Cosmos.

The faithful witness, Jesus, now reigns supreme over the kings of the earth and even his enemies .  And in  Revelation , Jesus is called the “ ruler of the kings of the earth ,” and this is declared using the  PRESENT TENSE . His absolute sovereignty over the earth is based on his past death and resurrection,  NOT  on hereditary rights, economic or military might. He is the anointed king who now reigns from the “ throne of David .”