The Lion who is a Lamb

John the Apostle is the author of Revelation and in chapter five he presents one of the more surprising changes of imagery in the Bible. Remember John was “taken up” to a place which we can only assume is heaven (Rev 4:1), and now he is gazing upon the throne where God is seated (Rev 4:5).

John begins to weep because no one was “found worthy” to “open the scroll or even look in it” (Rev 5:4). Suddenly our Savior comes;

Revelation 5:5–6 (CSB)

5 Then one of the elders said to me (John), “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth.

The only lion in heaven is in fact a Lamb that has been slaughtered. He is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29;36). This Lamb is the One, standing in the center and taking his rightful place before the throne. Through his death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit, here represented by the “seven spirits,” is present on earth.

As a believer in recovery, you can be assured your Higher Power completed the work before you, for your freedom. The Lamb has been slain and highly exalted to take away the sin of the world. His work offers the way for us to do ours.