Albrecht Durer, the famed 16th century German engraver carved this view of Revelation Chapter 5. The images of Revelation captured Durer and drove him to artistic feats of beauty and creativity. Durer's masterpieces show his reverence for God's Word.Revelation Chapter 5 continues the Throne Room vision that Jesus offered to John in Chapter 4. In Chapter 4 the focus is on God who sits on the throne. In Chapter 5 the focus is on Jesus, who is described as the 'Lamb that was slain.' In rather unusual fashion, Jesus is described as a Lion and a Lamb. He is also described as having seven Horns and seven Eyes. If we were to try and picture this image, we just may be repulsed! The key is to understand the symbolism of the horns and eyes. The term 'horn' in the Bible always refers to 'power' and the multiple eyes refers to 'wisdom.' So, for the Lamb that is Jesus, the seven Horns means that Jesus is all-powerful and the seven Eyes means that Jesus is all-knowing!
Where is the Holy Spirit in Revelations? The Spirit is present in Revelations, but we do need to do some work to find Him. The Spirit appears in the very beginning in Chapter 1, verse 4 and at the end of Revelations in Chapter 22, verse 17. The Spirit actively communicates with the local churches of Chapters 2 and 3, and does so again in Chapter 14. And we find all three members of the Trinity in Revelation Chapter 22, specifically verses 16-18.
After reading through Revelation Chapter 4 and 5, what images stand out to you, and why?
2 comments:
There is something very comforting in Rev 5:8. It says "the four living creatures and the 24 elders were holding golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints/ believers. Our prayers must be very precious to the Lord ...that He is carefully keeping them in bowls made of gold. It reminds me of Acts 10 where the angel tells Cornelius that his prayers and gifts to the poor came up as memorial offerings before God. Never under estimate the power of prayer!
Right on Sue! We know for sure that our prayers go directly to God and that He hears us when we pray. The Psalmist realized this and in Psalm 141, writes 'May my prayer be set before you like incense.' Our prayers are brought directly to heaven! We pray 'may your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'
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