“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12 NIV)
John describes a remarkable scene: a Lamb standing in the midst of heaven, yet looking as though He had been slain. Countless heavenly beings worship Him, while the redeemed sing: “You were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9 NIV)
To understand this vision, we need to go back to the sacrifices of the Old Testament. God desired a relationship with humanity, but sin stood like a wall between them. Because of their sins, people deserved death as punishment. Yet God provided a way out: an animal was to be sacrificed in their place. The blood of that animal served as atonement for their sins.
However, these sacrifices could not remove sin once and for all. That is why Jesus came as the perfect Lamb of God. He offered Himself and shed His blood to bring atonement for the sins of everyone who accepts Him by faith.
That is why John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NIV)
Whenever you see a lamb, remember Jesus, who died in our place and rose again from the dead. He lives forever. All honor and glory belong to Him!