Week 11, Monday: The Lamb Who Rules
It remains for us to go back through all seven facets of Christ’s engagement ring for His Church, the book of Revelation, in order to see how the primary themes of Revelation are developed throughout. John outlined those themes in Revelation 1.9: “the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.” Our lives as followers of Jesus Christ amount to nothing more or less than these, so it’s important we have these fixed in our minds with respect to how they relate to one another, and how we may know hope and power to serve and enjoy the Lord.

We begin with the second of John’s stated themes, the Kingdom of God, because this is the overarching and dominant theme of Revelation.

Read Revelation 1

Meditate on the following passages from Revelation
1.      Revelation 1.4, 5: At the outset of his book, John declares the Kingship of Jesus, “the ruler over the kings of the earth.” What does the King send to us by way of John’s book (v. 4)? Why is it important that Christians at all times bear in mind the Kingship of Jesus?

2.      Revelation 5.1-10: The Ruler over the kings of the earth is portrayed as a Lamb with seven horns and seven eyes. What do these represent? What does this image of a Lamb indicate concerning how Jesus came to be enthroned as King (Phil. 2.5-11)? Meditate on Genesis 49.8-11 and 2 Samuel 7.12-16, each of which is alluded to in verse 5. What seem to be the primary foci of these two passages concerning the “Lion” and “Root” Who is the Lamb/King? How does mentioning these two passages here affect the reader’s confidence in the Lamb?

3.      Revelation 7.9-17: According to verse 10, what is a principal outcome of the rule of the Lamb (cf. also v. 14)? How do the two images in verse 17 lead us to think about this salvation? To what Old Testament ideas do these passages refer, and how do they help us to think about the way Jesus rules His people? This verse also nods toward the eternal rule of King Jesus. How can you see that (cf. Rev. 21.4)?

4.      Revelation 14.14-20: Two acts of reaping are described in these verses. What does each represent? Each suggests a present and future aspect. Explain.

5.      Revelation 22.1-7: What is the defining characteristic of the rule of the Lamb (vv. 1, 2)? According to verses 3-5, what is the nature of our relationship to the Lamb/King? Is this a “then and there” aspect only, or does it also have “here and now” implications? Explain.

My Reflection
What does it mean for you to be a servant of the Lamb/King? How should this affect your daily life? Your attitude toward the future?

The Glory of God
The glory of the Lamb/King derives from the love He bears for His flock. Jesus laid down His life for His sheep. Now He shepherds them in their midst. How does He shepherd us, and to where?

Glory to Glory
Summarize your vision of Jesus as King, as He is revealed in the book of Revelation. Is it important for you to keep this in mind? Why or why not? Share your vision of King Jesus with a Christian friend today.

Memorize
Our memory verses for this week are Revelation 15.3, 4. Write these verses on an index card, using your preferred translation of the Bible. Carry this with you throughout the week, and spend some time each day working to memorize this passage. How should these verses encourage you in your walk with and work for the Lord?

Closing Prayer
The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty;
The LORD is clothed,
He has girded Himself with strength.
Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.
Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting.

Psalm 93.1, 2

T. M. Moore

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The book of Revelation is the culminating episode in the story of God’s covenant. To learn more about that covenant, and to discover the way it integrates all of Scripture into the Gospel of Jesus Christ, order a copy of T. M.’s book, I Will Be Your God, by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.