Revelation 5:1-9, "And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on
the backside, sealed with seven seals. (v.2) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice,
Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? (v.3) And no man in heaven, nor in earth,
neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. (v.4) And I wept much,
because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. (v.5) And one
of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath
prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. V.6) and I beheld, and lo, in the midst
of the throne stood a Lamb as it had been slain, (v.7) And he came and took the book out of the right hand
of him that sat upon the throne."
As the veiled beauty of a bride, slightly obscured by the immaculateness of the wedding garment, her facial
features neither clearly seen nor fully hidden, but the mystery of her loveliness make s her more lovely, so
are the preceding verses concerning the nature of our dear Lord. The apostle John wept because no man in heaven,
nor in earth, nor under the earth was able to take the book and loose the seals. But then one of the elders said,
"Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah…hath prevailed to open the book." Notice: the wording "no man"
in heaven nor earth was worthy, but the Lion was worthy and able. Why? Look at the next verse. "And I beheld,
and lo, in the midst…stood a Lamb…And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the
throne." But wait, Verse 5 said the Lion would take the book; verse 6 and 7 said a Lamb took the book. What no
man could do, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who is also called a Lamb, was able to accomplish.
The symbolic Lion and the emblematic Lamb represent the dual nature of Christ. The task required the quality
found in no man; hence, it took the dual-natured Christ possessing divinity and humanity: the fury of a lion,
and the meekness of a lamb; very God and very man; as much man as if he was not God, and as much God as if he
was not man. Dissolving the diametric differences of judgment and mercy, resolving the question of grace and
law, reconciling the sinner to a sin-hating God, He was the central figure of time and eternity; Jesus, "Emmanuel,
God with us;" "The word made flesh." He was Judah's Lion of judgment; yet, He was John's Lamb of meekness and mercy.
