He Reigns
Bible reading
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ 3 But no-one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no-one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, ‘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.’
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.
– Revelation 5:1-6a NIVUK
Devotional
The heroic story of King Arthur has turned the man into a myth. The story goes that England was under the rule of a wicked king, one who didn’t belong on the throne. The true king of England would be found one day because he would be able to pull the Excalibur sword from a stone and thus take his rightful place on the throne. Many men had tried before Arthur, but no-one could remove the sword. Arthur, who had been exiled by his wicked uncle finally gets his chance to try and pull Excalibur out of the stone and discovers that in his hand, the sword slides out easily and he becomes the new king of England.
In an even better story, and one that is not a myth, but reality, there isn’t a sword, but a scroll. And just like with the sword, no one is found worthy enough to open the scroll, to look inside and see what it says. John has already seen a lot, but he hasn’t seen enough. He is desperate to understand more. He is still in the throne room from chapter 4 but now he looks around to find someone to open the scroll, but no one comes forward. It appears that there is no one worthy to open it. John is deeply saddened, and he weeps.
Then, one of the elders tells him not to worry, there is someone worthy. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, he is victorious and can open the scroll and it’s seven seals! John is relieved. Of course, the Lion of Judah, who else could be so powerful and so obviously worthy?! So, John turns around to see this powerful, worthy lion but before him stands a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain. What he discovers is astonishing. In the throne room, looking at the throne John realizes that it is not God on the throne, it is not God at centre stage, it’s the Lamb!
The world is full of lions who are quite convinced that they are going to win by domination, power, and oppression. These lions think that their might and power make them worthy, that their fame and status is what counts. But Jesus is the true Lion, the Lion of Judah… and we expect that this lion will devour his enemies.
But this is the shock of the gospel! The victor isn’t a Lion, it’s a Lamb! Jesus didn’t win by being powerful (although he is), he didn’t win by domination (although he could have), he didn’t win through oppression (although he has the power to do it). His victory came as a lamb, as a sacrifice.
What does that mean for us in our lives? I hope we understand that it means that living out our call is to simply to follow and imitate the Lamb. To walk humbly with our God, to seek justice and mercy for everyone, to love our neighbours and our enemies, to feed the hungry, visit those in prison, and give clothing to the naked and, to share the Truth about the Saviour and His love for the world.
– Connie Main Duarte
This devotional is part of a series that helps us navigate the texts of the book of Revelation with fresh eyes. A new devotional every Saturday.
These devotionals are available in Portuguese and in English.