THE PHENOMENON OF CHRISTOLOGY
The eighth phenomenon of Christology is that
Christianities emphasis on the Jesus as Lamb of God, who was slain, In Chinese
literally says, “神的羔羊 (shen de` gao iang)” or “代罪羔羊 (dai` zui` gai
iang) ”. In Greek says, “ἀμνὸς τοῦ
θεοῦ”(amnos theos). with his blood, He redeemed and purchased all
mankind for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and made
them to be a kingdom and priests to serve God and reign on the earth. Christ as
the Lamb of God took away the sin of the world by offering Himself once for all
on the cross as the sacrifice for sins, His blood, which He sprinkled in the
heavenly tabernacle has accomplished as eternal redemption for us, even the
redemption of the transgressions under the first (old) covenant, the transgressions
that were only covered by animal blood.
Every creature which in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and
on the sea and all things in them give praises, “to Him who sits upon the
throne and to the Lamb be praise, honor and the glory.” even the four living
creatures and twenty four angelical elders said, “amen” and fell down and worshipped. For Jesus is the lion of the
tribe of Judah; the root of David who has triumphed, and he is only one can
open the scroll and its seven seals. (By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce 2017)
Introduction
The eighth phenomenon of Christology is that Christianities
emphasis on the Jesus as Lamb of God, who was slain, with his blood, He
redeemed and purchased all mankind for God from every tribe and language and
people and nation, and made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve God and
reign on the earth. Christ as the Lamb of God took away the sin of the world by
offering Himself once for all on the cross as the sacrifice for sins
(Heb.9:14;10:12). In Greek says, “ἀμνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ”(amnos theos). In Chinese
literally says, “神的羔羊” (shen de` gao iang) or “代罪羔羊”(dai` zui` gai iang). His blood, which He sprinkled in the
heavenly tabernacle has accomplished as eternal redemption for us, even the
redemption of the transgressions under the first (old) covenant, the
transgressions that were only covered by animal blood. Every creature which in
heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea and all things in
them give praises, “to Him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be
praise, honor and the glory.” even the four living creatures and twenty
four angelical elders said, “Amen”, and fell down and worshipped. For Jesus is
the lion of the tribe of Judah; the root of David who has triumphed, and Christ
alone can open the scroll and its seven seals.
The Biblical precepts of Lamb of God who was slain (代罪羔羊 dai` zui` gai iang)
Christianities emphasized Jesus as Lamb of God, who has been slain and
won the battle for all mankind as ransom. In Greek says, “ἀμνὸς τοῦ
θεοῦ”(amnos theos). In Chinese
literally says, “神的羔羊 (shen de` gao iang)” or “代罪羔羊 (dai` zui` gai iang)”. In English
interpret, “Christ as the Lamb of God took away the sins of the world by
offering Himself once for all on the cross as the sacrifice for sins.” In old
covenant the blood of goats and calves only made expiation for people’s sins
(Lev.16:15-18); it never accomplished redemption for their sins; because it is
impossible for the blood of calves and goats to take away sins. (Heb.10:4). In
Hebrew the root of the word of “expiation” means “to cover”. Therefore, to make
expiation means “to cover sins”, it does not mean “to take away sins”. Since
Christ as the Lamb of God took away the sin of the world (John1:29) by offering
Himself once for all on the cross as the sacrifice for sins (Heb.9:14;10:12). His
blood, which He sprinkled in the heavenly tabernacle has accomplished as
eternal redemption for us, even the redemption of the transgressions under the
first (old) covenant, the transgressions that were only covered by animal
blood. It’s will of God, that second Adam replaced first Adam. “Christ,
having come as a High Priest of the good things that have come into being,
through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not
of this creation. And not though the blood of goats and calves but through His
own blood, entered once for all into the Holy of Holies, obtaining an eternal
redemption.” (Heb.9:12-13). Through Christ, the Highest Priesthood had
established the new covenant with all mankind is better than the old covenant
through Alan priesthood in Old Testament. To complete God’s eternal redemption
plan for the sins of the world, it requires the new covenant through Jesus, by
His precious blood, all mankind have been redeemed. To His followers,
believers, disciples, Jesus is the redeeming Lamb; He puts away the sins for
them. And with His blood, He purchased all mankind to God from all tribes,
language, people and nations. To His enemy, Christ is the overcoming Lion; He
defeated Satan and his darkness evil forces.
The reason Christianity earnestly emphasized the Lamb of God who
was slain
According to the Apostle John’s vision in Revelation 4-5, it
provides the aspects and the reason of disciples and followers of Jesus
earnestly emphasized the Lamb of God, who was slain. For with his blood, he
took away the sins of world. Jesus alone, as Lamb of God, he has been through
the procession of “incantation”, “crucifixion”, “resurrection”,
“glorification”, and “ascension”. Christ has triumphed all the procession to
fulfill God’s redemption plan for all mankind. Therefore, Christ became fully
qualified in His ascension to open the mystery of God’s economy, which is
contained in the seven seals. And God had made Jesus as Lamb who qualified to
open the scroll and its seven seals. This scroll unveils the new covenant,
enacted with the blood of the Lamb of God’s redemption of the Church, Israel,
the world, and the universe. It is a
record of God’s thought concerning the church, Israel, the world, and the
universe.
Five stages of singing and worship to the Lamb of God who sits on
the throne
In the book of Revelation chapter 4 to 5 unveils five stages of singing
and worship to the one who sits on the throne.
a.
First stage: the four living creatures
In the first stage, each of the four living creatures had six wings
and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they
never stop saying, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was,
and is, and is to come.” (Rev.4:8). The four living creatures
represent all other living creatures. In appearance, the four living creatures
resemble the cherubim in Ezek.1:5-10 and 10:14-15they each have six wings, they
are like the seraphim in Isa.6:2 (the cherubim in Exo.25:20 and 1Kings 6:27
have two wings, and the cherubim in Ezek.1:6 have four wings. They must be combination
of the cherubim and the seraphim. As the seraphim, they are for God’s holiness
(Isa.6:3) referring to God’s nature, and as the cherubim, they are for God’s
glory (Ezek.10:18-19). They stand for God’s nature and expression. The first
living creature is like a lion, represents the beasts, the second living
creature is like a calf, represents the cattle; the third living creature is
like a man, represents mankind; and the fourth, which is like an eagle,
represents the fowl. There are the six categories of living things
created by God in Gen.1:20-28, two are not represented here, 1) the creeping
things on the earth and 2) the living things in the water. The head of
the creeping things is the serpent, a symbol of God’s enemy, Satan, who will be
cast into the lake of fire and will have no place in the new heaven and new
earth. The living things in the water are in the water of God’s
judgment, which will no longer exist in the new heaven and new earth
(Rev.21:1). Therefore, for eternity these two categories are not represented
before God. Among the four living creatures, the calf is clean, but the lion
and the eagle are unclean (Lev.11:3,27,13-19). After being redeemed, they all
became clean (Acts10:11-16). Among them the calf and the man are meek and
gentle, but the lion and eagle are wild and fierce. Through redemption they can
all dwell together (Isa.11:6-9). Christ’s redemption is not only for man but
for all things (Col.1:20)
b.
Second
stage: the twenty-four elders
In the second stage, whenever the living creatures give glory,
honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives forever and ever,
the twenty –four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne. And
worship him who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne
and say, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor
and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and
have their being.”(Rev.4:11). During these two stages, the praises of
both the four living creatures and twenty-four elders are composed of three
items, implying that both the living creatures and the elders are praising the
Triune God. The first two elements, glory and honor, are the same in both
places, but the last element “thanks” is different, which symbolized that they,
the four living creatures are redeemed and are grateful for the redemption of
God’s grace, whereas in the praises of the twenty-four elders the last element
is “power” as the rulers of the universe, they are not the redeemed creatures,
they appreciate the power of God, by which they rule. According to the
preceding verses, this section of the holy Word implies that when the redeemed
saints represented by the man among the four living creatures, who are redeemed
have been perfected and glorified to be the proper priests and kings
(Rev.20:6), the temporary priests and kings, the twenty-four angelic elders,
will resign from their offices. This is implied by the fact that they will cast
their crowns before the throne.
c.
Third stage- The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David
In the third stage, when
Apostle John wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the
scroll or look inside. One of the elders said to him, “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. (Rev. 5:5). When He came
and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when
he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty –four elders fell
down before the Lamb. They sang a new song…” (Rev.5:4-9).
You are worthy to take the scroll and to open
its seals, because you were slain, and
with your blood you purchased men
to God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made
them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the
earth. ….
The Root
and the Offspring of David, in Greek says, “ῥίζα
καὶ τὸ γένος τοῦ Δαβίδ”. “ῥίζα” rhiza interprets
as a root. “γένος” interprets as “offspring”, “family”, “tribe”, “nation”. In
Rev.22:16 indicate in His divinity, Christ is the Root, the source, of David;
in His humanity, Christ is the offspring, of David. Hence, He is the Lord as
the Root of David, and He is also the son, the shoot, of David as the offspring
of David. (Jer.23:5). The seed of David implies Christ’s
human nature. By incarnation, the first step of Christ’s process, God was
brought into humanity (Rom.1: 3), by resurrection He brought man into God, He
brought His humanity into the divine Sonship. In this way the only begotten Son
of God was made the firstborn Son of God, possessing both divinity and humanity
(Rom.1:4). According to Isa.11:1, he is
also the Root of David’s father, Jesse. It signifies that Christ is the source
of David. Therefore, David, His forefather, called Him “Lord” (Matt.22:42-45). “For
David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “The Lord said to
my Lord, sit at my right hand, until I set your enemies as a footstool for your
feet.”(Acts 2:34). Here first Lord
refers to God and the second, to Christ, whom David called “my Lord”
(Matt.22:45).
The Lion is a symbol of Christ, portraying Him as a strong fighter
against the enemy, as prophesied in Gen.49:8-9. Christ’s overcoming qualifies
Him to open the scroll and its seven seals. As the Lion of the tribe of Judah,
Christ overcame and defeated the rebellious Satan, and removed the hindrances
to the fulfillment of God’s eternal redemption plan. He appeared to John as a
Lamb. As the Lion, He is the fighter against the enemy, as the Lamb, He
is the Redeemer to us. He fought to redeem us, and He won the battle over the
enemy and accomplished redemption for us. To the enemy, He is a Lion; to us He
is a Lamb. Therefore, He is the Lion-Lamb. In the whole universe no one
is worthy to open the mystery of God’s economy but Christ, the overcoming Lion
and the redeeming Lamb. He is the only One qualified to unveil and carry out
the mystery of God’s economy.
d.
Fourth stage –many angels, thousands upon thousand
In the fourth stage, the voice of many angels, numbering thousands
upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand, they encircled the throne
and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang, “Worthy
is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom
and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Rev. 5:12).
e.
Fifth stage-every creature
In the fifth stage, every creature in heaven and on earth and under
the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To Him who
sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be praise, honor and glory and power, forever and ever. The
four living creatures said, “Amen” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
(Rev.5:13-14).
In
the fifth stage, all of the creatures, who are represented by the four living
creatures, follow the living creatures to give the Lamb the universal praise of
all creatures other than the angels.
The Rev.4:8-5:14 develops the eighth phenomenon of Christology
Apostle John’s vision in
Book of Revelation 4:8 -5:14 develop the eighth phenomenon of Christology: The
Lamb of God who was slain and the vision provide a prophetical message that the
Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root and the Offspring of David has triumphed so
that He can open the scroll and its seven seals. The scroll unveils the new
covenant, enacted with the blood of the Lamb of God’s redemption of the Church,
Israel, the world, and the universe. Through Christ Jesus’ incarnation,
crucifixion, and resurrection, Christ became fully qualified in His ascension
to open the mystery of God’s economy, which is contained in the seven seals.
It’s a record of God’s thought concerning the church, Israel, the world, and
the universe. In Rev.7:1-17 unveils
144,000 of the twelve tribes sealed the chosen Israelites preserved on earth
(vv.1-8) and a great multitude serving God in the heavenly temple the redeemed
saints ruptured to heaven to enjoy God’s care and the Lamb’s shepherding
(vv.9-17). In Rev.8:6-11:19 discloses the seven trumpets; Rev.15:1-16:21 states
the outpouring of the seven bowls; Rev.17:1-19:4 unveils Babylon the Great and
her destruction; Rev.19:5-10 indicates the Marriage of the Lamb and the
imprisonment of Satan in the Rev.20:1-3;The millennial kingdom in the Rev.20:4-6;
The last rebellion in the Rev.20:7-10 and the judgment of the great white
throne in the Rev.20:11-15; The new heaven and the new earth unveils in Rev.21:1-8
and New Jerusalem in the Rev.21:9-27; In the Rev.22:1-5 unveils the river of
water of life and the blessings of God’s redeemed in eternity.
The mystery of God’s economy: Γὼγ
(Gog) and “Μαγώγ” (Magog)
In the Book of Revelation 20:7-10 disclose the
last rebellion, the Satan will be released from his prison when the thousand
years are completed, and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four
quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog to gather them together to battle: the
number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they
went up upon the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and
the beloved city; and fire came down out of heaven and devoured them. And
devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where
also the beast and the false prophet were, and they well be tormented day and
night forever and ever.
In Greek, “Μαγώγ” (Magog)
interprets, as a land north
of Israel from which the King of Gog will come to attack Israel. Γὼγ (Gog) means "mountain", the king of the
land of Magog who will come from the north and attack the land of Israel. Γὼγ (Gog) and “Μαγώγ” (Magog) according
to the Ezek.38:2-3 and 39:1-2 must be Russia. Ezekiel 38:2 indicates
that Gog and Magog are of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, which
correspond with Russia, Moscow, and Tobolsk. Ezekiel 39:2 refers
to these places as “the remotest parts of the north”. Γὼγ (Gog) and “Μαγώγ” (Magog) may indicate that in mankind’s last
rebellion against God, which will be instigated by Satan, Γὼγ (Gog) and “Μαγώγ” (Magog) will take the lead and the nations will
follow. Although mankind will be in a restored state for one thousand years,
man’s rebellious nature will still remain. It will be exposed by Satan, God’s
enemy, after the millennium. In Rev.22:8 unveils that Γὼγ (Gog) and “Μαγώγ” (Magog) are
used collectively to designate the nations that at the close of the millennial
reign, instigated by Satan, will break forth from the four quarters of the
earth against the Messiah’s kingdom, but will be destroyed by fire from heaven.
The camp of the saints is the lodging place of the overcoming believers, who
compose the heavenly armies (Rev.19:14) camping on earth. The beloved city is
the city of Jerusalem, the dwelling place of the remnant of Israel. The
overcoming believers and the remnant of Israel are God’s faithful people on
earth in the millennium, who stand with God and for God. At the end of the
millennium, Satan will instigate rebellious mankind from the uttermost parts of
the north to attack God’s people. However, Satan’s perdition in the lake of
fire, the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone, where also the beast (Anti-Christ) and the false prophet were, and
they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Rev.20:10).
All living creature are engaging in the mystery of God’s economy, once
the seventh trumpet is sounded
The Book of Revelation high lights the significance of Jesus as
Lamb of God who was slain, and discloses God’s redemption plan, the Root
and offspring of David, the new covenant, and enacted with the blood of the
Lamb of God’s redemption of the Church, Israel, the world, and the universe.
The entire living creature and the universe in the heaven, on the earth, under
the earth and on the sea and all things in them are engaging in this mystery of
God’s economy. This made the Christology phenomenon. Christ alone can open the
scroll and its seven seals. For He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root
of David has triumphed. Once the seventh trumpet is sounded, on the same day
the last day of the great tribulation, the following events will all take
place:
a)
First,
the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of Christ.
b)
Second,
the dead saints will be resurrected and will be rapture with the living saints.
c)
Third,
the two witnesses will be resurrected and rapture.
d)
Fourth,
Christ will execute the judgment at His judgment seat for the rewarding of the
overcomers.
e)
Fifth,
the marriage of the Lamb and the overcomers will take place.
f)
Sixth,
Christ and His newly-wed overcomers will come to the earth to defeat Antichrist
and destroy those who destroy the earth in the war at Armageddon, and to cast
Antichrist and the false prophet into the lake of fire.
g)
Seventh,
by the war at Armageddon (Christ) will rescue Israel from Antichrist’s besieging
and the whole house of Israel will repent and be saved.
h)
Eighth,
the material Babylon the Great will be destroyed, at the same time the
seven bowls will be poured out. The war at Armageddon wills occur at the time
of the sixth bowl. The various plagues of the seven bowls will be executed by
God on the same day.
But
the resurrection of kingship as a reward to the overcomers, which enables them
to reign as co-kings with Christ in the millennial kingdom (Rev.20:4, 6). At the end of the millennium, although Satan
will instigate rebellious mankind from the uttermost parts of the north to
attack God’s people, but fire came down out of heaven ad devoured them. And the
devil, who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire. Every unbelievers
whose name were not found written in the book of life, they were cast into the
lake of fire. (Rev.20:15). Ultimately, the first heaven and the first earth
passed away, and the sea is no more. The New Heaven and the New Earth, the holy
city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride (God’s
redeemed regenerated, transformed, and glorified saints,) adorned for her
husband (Christ). There is no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and
the Lamb are its temple, the city has no need of the sun or of the moon
that they should shine in it, for the glory of God illumined it, and its lamp
is the Lamb.” (Rev.21:23).
Conclusion
The
Lamb of God plays the significance of entire Bible and the Book of Revelation
provides the vision affirms the blessed assurance and a living hope to Christ’s
followers, believers and overcomers. That Jesus as Lamb of God fulfilled the
God’s redemption plan. With His blood, He purchased all mankind for God. Without Lamb of God who was slain, there is
no one can open the scroll and seven seals. The Lamb who sits at 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 (Rev.7:17). This is the
phenomenon of Christology, every creature in heaven and on earth and under the
earth and on the sea and all that is in them fell down, worship, adore and praise
to the one who sits on the throne, the Lamb of God, Christ, the Root of David
who has triumphed and redeemed all mankind for God. The testimony of this book
was made by the Lord Jesus for the churches. As Jesus said, “I, Jesus, have
sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the Root
and the offspring of David, the bright morning star. And the Spirit and the
bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! And let him who is thirsty
come, let him who wills take the water of life freely.” “Behold, I come
quickly, and My reward is with Me to render to each one as his work is. I am
the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the beginning and the End.”
(Rev.22: 16-17,12-13).
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Neva F. Miller et al., eds. Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament.1st
ed. Victoria BC: Trafford Publishing, 2005.
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New Testament (R.V.) Anaheim, CA: Living Stream Ministry, 1985.
Ryrie,
Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible
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