The Lamb Rules
“After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:‘Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!’
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. And they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God, saying, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever! Amen.’
Then one of the elders addressed me: ‘These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?’ ‘Sir,’ I answered, ‘you know.’ So he replied, ‘These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
For this reason, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” Revelation 7:9-17 Berean
Think about this: it is the Lamb who rules with God in the center of the throne. The Lamb is the shepherd who leads us to those springs of living water. And while He is doing this, God Himself will wipe away all tears! In the Old Testament, the lamb signifies a sacrifice to God, a blood sacrifice that is the only sacrifice acceptable to Him. When the Israelites were to be led out of the bondage of Egypt, they were directed:
"Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs…
Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household…the blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Exodus 12:3;7;13 ESV
The lamb typifies Christ, a pure, innocent sacrifice Who is gentle, forgiving, and meek. When God sees the blood of the Lamb, He passes over us. He is the only sacrifice slain to make an end to all other sacrifices. And He is worthy!
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." Peter 1:18-21
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing" Revelation 5:12
In Christianity, the lamb symbolizes Christ as both suffering and triumphant, as well as the Lord’s gentleness, innocence, purity, sweetness, forgiveness, and meekness. There are so many aspects to the nature of Jesus Christ—King of kings, Lord of Lords, conqueror, the great High Priest, Immanuel, the Redeemer, the Living Stone, the Alpha and Omega, the Lion of Judah, the Son of God. Consider this passage in Isaiah:
“For a Boy is born to us; a Son is given to us, and the chieftainship shall come to be on His shoulder, and His name is called ‘Marvelous.Counsel to the master shall He bring, to the chief of the future, welfare.’
To the increase of the chieftainship, and to the welfare shall be no end. On the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to prepare it, and to brace it with judgment and with justice, henceforth and in the future eon.
The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this”. Isaiah 9:6-7 Concordant Literal
In Biblical times, the name of a person described his or her nature, the qualities of the character of a person. John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God, knowing that Jesus was to be sacrificed for the sins of all:
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” John 1:29 NIV
Jesus never called Himself God. He was the Son of God, the Son of man, the Bread of Life, but, unlike some of us were taught, He did not call Himself God. He made a distinction between Himself, the Firstborn Son, and Father God. Yes God was in Him, but would God ever say, as Jesus did, that He could do nothing by Himself?
“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:30 NIV
Why is it significant that the Lamb rules, rather than all the other aspects of Christ? It’s important because of the many aspects of His nature. The word could say that the Lion rules, or the Redeemer rules, or any of the other names that reveal Who He is. But it is the nature of the Lamb that rules! And with the rule of the Lamb, God wipes away all tears. What a contrast to what many are taught about an angry, vengeful ruler intent on eternal punishment for all who do not know Him!
We are promised that as we see Him, perceive who He really is with discernment, we will be like Him. What would the qualities of a Lamb be as they become more of our nature? One thing we know is that the sacrificial Lamb of God went willingly to be crucified.
“See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we would be called children of God; and we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not been manifested as yet what we will be. We know that when He is manifested, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” John 3:2 Legacy Standard Bible
How difficult it is to go willingly to the many ways God allows the flesh to be crucified as we follow our Lord! We struggle and complain, questioning unfair treatment, betrayal and unjust accusations, yet God’s sacrificial Lamb did not do so:
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth [to complain or defend Himself];
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before her shearers, so He did not open His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7 Amplified
Unlike most of us, every single act of suffering and affliction Jesus experienced was unfair, unjust and undeserved. When similar things happen to us, we are suffering with Christ so we may reign with Him. This is how He teaches us to conquer, to overcome all that comes against us. Some resist the idea that God brings suffering, that satan is a tool God allows in the world to come against His own. But, what spirit do you think was those leaders who led the charge to crucify Him?
“But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2: 20-21 NIV
We are called to suffer! And is this somehow good news? Well yes, if we want to be like our Lord! It’s all the unfair, undeserved suffering and affliction, caused by other humans or by nature, that refines us, presses us, working the glory He had into our very nature, so He may be seen. And when is Christ manifested, when does Christ appear? Is it just those few times He appeared to the disciples after His resurrection? Or does He not appear in us, the saints, as we follow on to know the Lord?
Such is the goal of every sincere believer: to become more and more like our Lord. We know that He is not yet fully manifested within His children but we have this hope as we submit to Him for purification from our Adam nature. If we were already fully like Christ, we would only speak what the Father gives us.
“For I have never spoken on My own initiative or authority, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment regarding what to say and what to speak.” John 12:49 Amplified
What a glorious manifestation of Christ would that be, to only speak what the Father tells us to speak. Too often, I find myself speaking from the Adam nature rather than speaking from the mind of Christ. Paul said we have the mind of Christ, but we need to learn how to allow this mind to rule instead of our own. Our soulish nature from that earthly man still rules in many aspects of our lives, including our speech, rather than the nature of the Lamb: gentle, forgiving, meek.
When we speak from our Adam nature, we usually find ourselves talking to the Adam nature in another. It may seem normal and natural to do so, but the spirit knows the difference. The Adam nature is much more likely to call forth the same in another, in sharp contrast to speaking only Father God’s words from the Christ nature. The Adam nature, our soul realm of mind, will and emotions, has fear, not faith, hate not love, resentment rather than forgiveness, and endless concern about the things of this world.
These are the things our Adam nature constantly rehearses, in our hearts, minds and thoughts, revealed in what we talk about. God’s plan is to have a purified people, a church with no spot or blemish. Committed Christians are on a quest to become like the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our everything as we long for His nature to not just be in us, but take us over. To be the light of the world, to make a difference in the lives of others and all the suffering around us, we need His nature. He promised we could be like Him, so it is no pipe dream!
No matter how much we want these changes, we cannot achieve them by fleshly effort. It has to be God’s work in our hearts, writing His word and His ways within us as we submit to Him in all things. Is it pleasant to submit to affliction and suffering? Well, no. Do you think Jesus enjoyed knowing that one of His closest friends would betray Him? That all of them would abandon Him out of fear when He was arrested? That one of His staunchest and strongest followers would betray Him three times out of fear?
“Now all discipline, indeed, for the present is not seeming to be a thing of joy, but of sorrow, yet subsequently it is rendering the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those exercised through it.
Wherefore stiffen the flaccid hands and the paralyzed knees, and make upright tracks for your feet, that the lame one may not turn aside, yet rather may be healed.
Pursue peace with all, and holiness, apart from which no one shall be seeing the Lord…” Hebrews 12:11-14 Concordant Literal
The key to this passage is the phrase “rendering the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are exercised thereby.” This means we go through times of discipline to grow righteousness…or not! If we are not exercised by it, if we do not grow stronger and more like the Lord, if we do not learn His ways through it, these times of discipline do not result in righteousness, but bring even more suffering.
Those who do not realize this may rail against satan, believing God would not have them suffer. But suffering is God’s plan for us to learn. Read the powerful words of the Psalmist (author uncertain) in Psalms 119:
“Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.” Psalms 119:66-67 BSB
If suffering was allowed for Jesus why would we be spared? Read the bible and you will not find saints who did not suffer unfairly, who did not experience sorrow as well as joy in serving God. That it is not easy is revealed in the encouraging words of the author of Hebrews, above, who goes on to exhort those under discipline to grow better, not bitter! We need strengthening in our walk so that we are able to endure as He endured, to win the prize of the High calling in Christ Jesus of which Paul spoke:
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 KJV
This is a prize that is won by pressing in, looking to “Come up hither, in the Throne realm.”. God’s love is free and without limit. His salvation is free, taken care of by the debt Jesus paid for us.But this is a prize for which one must run the race to get. The apostle Paul endured much suffering and affliction, even recording how God denied him relief from the “thorn in the flesh.”
“Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me,
a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself!” 2 Corinthians 12:7 Amplified
Consider this: God allowed one of His best, the great Apostle Paul, to suffer through a messenger from satan that tormented and harassed him. Paul knew, he believed that God could deliver him from this satanic messenger tormenting him. Paul said this was sent to him as allowed, even necessary in his life for God’s purposes. Whatever this thorn was, Paul sought God and God told him “No.”
God refused to deliver Paul from this thorn, to keep him humble rather than puffed up and proud because God had revealed Himself and His ways to Paul in such extraordinary depth and greatness. Do you know saints who have sought the Lord for years for deliverance from an affliction, without relief? There are those in the kingdom, on this side and the other, who are living through just these circumstances, with many acknowledging that God has chosen to let these afflictions remain so the glory is His.
Some are born unable to function in mind or body in the way the rest of us take for granted. In the world’s eyes, these are disabled, less than, looked down upon and even bullied by others who do not know or practice the Lord’s ways of love and mercy. God allows many to stay in these afflicted circumstances because His nature, the nature of the Lamb, shines more brightly through them. Many of us have not suffered like this, but we all have the opportunity to allow the nature of the Lamb, that meek, gentle, and forgiving Lord, to work in us.
Such is not the nature the world glorifies and desires to emulate. The strong and powerful, the able-bodied and smart, the rich and successful seemingly without opposition or obstacle in their way: these are whom the world runs after. And there are those who preach that these circumstances are a sign of God’s blessing—but are they truly? Has God really called His own to a life of prosperity and success rather than suffering with Christ?
It is not that God does not bring such things to the saints, but it is not evidence of godliness when He does. Reveling in all we have while others are in poverty and want is not His way. He longs to wipe all tears from all eyes—not just His own. There are no tears in heaven—this is His ultimate plan for the earth when He appears, comes back in His saints. God has specific plans for each of us, providing just what we need to fulfill our calling. Here is Jesus’ admonition to us:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
What do we treasure? Is our earthly focus on earthly treasures or on lasting, eternal treasures? It is not the outward appearance of success by wealth, stature, or position in society, but the attitude of our hearts about all of this. Do we, as outwardly successful appearing believers, recognize and honor God for all we have, knowing it has come by Him? Or do we think ourselves better than others because of unearned favor by the Lord?
The Lamb’s nature is never to exalt Himself but to serve, recognizing that all good things come from the Father. Are we in the US better than those suffering unjustly in more and more places in the world? Do we think it is by our own efforts when we escape poverty and war, struggle and loss that is a part of daily life for many? Hear what Jesus went on to say:
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6: 31-34 ESV
Jesus told us the world would be full of trouble and affliction, but not to worry because He has overcome the world, including that world within our own hearts. Our focus, our priority, our commitment, is to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, that righteousness being worked out from within us through the refining of affliction. What better to seek than the attitude, the nature that Jesus demonstrated in all that He suffered on this earth?
Yes, the Lamb rules. He continually allows circumstances in our lives to work His Lamb nature in us. This nature accepts all as from Father God, Who does all things well. Satan is the source, but we learn to immediately look to Him, praising Him in all things. How difficult this is when one bad circumstance follows another and we start to wonder, “Does God really love me? Doesn’t He see what’s happening? Why are my prayers not heard?” Here is what Jude said in such circumstances:
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,.” Jude 20-24 NIV
Keep and wait. Love and mercy, not condemnation and judgment. Our God, through Jesus Christ the Lord reigning from the kingdom within, is able to keep us from stumbling when affliction and suffering becomes too heavy. We are to “keep ourselves in His love.” meaning to “guard, keep the eye upon, hold fast” in His love. Nothing tests a person’s faith in God and His love as affliction and suffering do, particularly undeserved suffering.
This is when we anchor ourselves in God’s nature of love. We must determine in our hearts whether God is like He says He is..or not. Being without affliction is not a sign of blessing, but of misunderstanding His ways. Circumstances that bring suffering and distress can strengthen us in our determination to follow the Lamb, becoming a part of His rule and reign within and without. Consider the words of John the Revelator:
“And I perceived, and lo! the Lambkin standing on mount Zion, and with It a hundred forty-four thousand, having Its name and Its Father's name written on their foreheads.
And I hear a sound out of heaven as the sound of many waters and as the sound of loud thunder, and the sound which I hear is as lyre singers playing on their lyres.And they are singing a new song before the throne and before the four animals and before the elders.
And no one was able to learn the song except the hundred forty-four thousand, who have been bought from the earth. These are they who were not polluted with women, for they are celibates.
These are those who are following the Lambkin wherever It should be going. These are bought from mankind, a firstfruit to God and the Lambkin. And in their mouth falsehood was not found, for they are flawless." Revelation 14:105 CLV
Here righteousness is worked fully in a people, a symbolic 144,000 who only plant the seed of God, not of the soulish “female’ realm. These are set apart for a special service for God and the Lamb. Through all things working for their good, these are blameless, spotless, clean and pure.
Consider this beautiful song learned long ago amongst the saints:
“They follow the Lamb wherever He goes;
Been washed in His blood, washed whiter than snow.
An offering to God, consecrated and pure,
they follow the lamb wherever He goes.
They sing a new song before the throne.
They sing a new song, not sung before.
And no one can sing this song except the redeemed.
They follow the Lamb, wherever He goes.”
Author unknown.
Let it be so in the power and holiness of the Lamb who rules.