BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesusنموونە

Today we leave Asia Minor and head to … Heaven? God summons John to his throne room to witness what is to come and how God will bring his Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven.

The flutter of cherubim wings, the kaleidoscopic colors of the rainbow, and the twinkle of the rarest gemstones hardly scratch the surface of the scene. John hears the chorus of the elders singing, sees lightning cut through the air, and feels the clap of thunder resonate in his chest. John’s description takes elements from Eden—gemstones, living creatures, tamed waters—and cranks them up to a new level of splendor. You thought Eden was good? Just wait until you see the renewed creation, Heaven come to Earth.

Then an angel directs everyone’s attention to a scroll in God’s hand, closed up with seven seals. The scroll symbolizes the message of Israel’s prophets, which is about the way God’s Kingdom will arrive fully on Earth as it is in Heaven. But the seven seals are too tough for anyone to break, until John hears that someone has what it takes—Judah’s lion and David’s root.

These are classic descriptions of God’s messianic King, who was to conquer the world through might and warfare. That’s what John hears. But he turns and sees not an aggressive lion-king but a blood-stained, sacrificial lamb. The lamb stands before John, alive and ready to open the scroll.

Jesus as the slain lamb may be the most crucial symbol for understanding the book of Revelation. The lamb’s power to open the scroll means he has the authority to guide the story to its completion. This lamb, Jesus the crucified Messiah, conquers his enemies by laying down his own life so that he can redeem them.

Watch today’s video to see more about the complexities of Jewish apocalyptic literature, which will help make better sense of the message in John’s revelation.

Reflection Questions

• God summons both John and Moses to come up to him. How does Revelation 4-5 connect to Exodus 24? What do both men receive from God?
• John uses apocalyptic imagery to connect the slain lamb of God to the rest of the Bible. How do Passover and the Day of Atonement help make sense of John’s image in Revelation 5?