Irony of ironies - the conquering Lion of Judah is, in fact, a slain Lamb! (See p.235) Jesus Christ, the victorious king, actually won His victory by becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John makes much of this in his telling of the apocalyptic revelation he received. What has intrigued me, however, was the linking of Jesus' sacrifice as a slain lamb to the faithful martyrs who were also slain for Him. What a difficult message! Following the conquering Lion-Shepherd-King might actually mean following Him to death - even a terrible martyr's death!
And yet, as Dr. Laniak points out on page 242-243, it is through our willingness to "follow Him wherever He goes" (Revelation 14:4), even to the point of death, that we attain to the riches of ruling with Him in eternity. The Good Shepherd who has been slain like a lamb graciously shares His authority with those who have also died for Him, with Him and in Him. Through weakness, through dying to self and dying to sin, through service and sacrifice, through laying down our lives like Jesus did, we attain to the greatest kind of victory, the greatest kind of conquering. What a needed reminder for pastor/shepherds who have grown weary, tired and discouraged - those who are faithful to the end will receive a crown of life from the Lion who became a Lamb! Hallelujah!
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