The Slain Lamb & the Scroll in Heaven

The Slain Lamb standing at the centre of the throne is the only one to open the seven-seal scroll

Andrew Angupale
PASTOR - St. Paul's Pilgrim Church of Uganda

What is the scroll with seven seals?

The Scroll with the Seven Seals originates from The Throne of God in heaven (Revelation 5:1), they are given in heaven to Jesus Christ for Him to open (Revelation 5:5-10), but they happen on earth (e.g. Revelation 5:10, 6:4).

So the scroll with seven seals contained secret information known only to God until the Slain Lamb standing at the centre of the throne was found worthy to open them and to look on the contents. What is contained therein was only for the eyes of the Lamb. However, through his kindness and willingness to share this information with the saints, we find the conditions and circumstances that would take place in the time frame of each seal. Most of the seals tell of the antichrist's activities and lend encouragement to the saints of each period. Just like the Romans during those early days, they would seal their Wills seven times to guarantee its authenticity and to keep its contents secret.

Revelation chapter 5 is a pivotal chapter that introduces us to scenes and characters in heaven. Contrary to what we might expect after the majestic introduction, a weak creature with no mark of victorious triumph, but only the marks of its own slaughter is the agent of God’s purpose.

The chapter starts with John seeing a scroll in the hand of God. The scroll is sealed to guarantee its authenticity and to keep its contents secret. It contains the destiny of the world, the purpose of God for all creation.

Who is able to open the Scroll with seven seals

The Lamb

Who is this Lamb according to Rev. 5:5? “‘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.’”

A) He is the Lion of Judah

B) He is the Root of David

C) He is Lamb who was Slain

There are four things about the Lamb that John is talking about here.

1. The Lamb is standing in the centre of the throne: slain but standing. (Be ready because the slain lamb is standing. this is a taboo).

2. The Lamb is slain. He is standing not lying slain.

3. The Lamb is strong. In the picture that John saw the Lamb is given seven horns which symbolize strength.

4. The Lamb is searching. It has seven eyes that see everywhere.

The slain Lamb is the crucified Christ who was raised to life. This Lamb is more than a victim; he is also powerful and conquering. The Lamb has SEVEN HORNS.

In the OT, a horn is a symbol of strength. “In majesty he is like a firstborn bull; his horns are the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore (stab, spear, pierce, run through) the nations, even those at the ends of the earth. Such are the ten thousands of Ephraim; such are the thousands of Manasseh.” (Deut. 33:17) and SEVEN is the number of perfection. Thus the seven horns indicate the perfect or absolute power of the Lamb. He is completely adequate for any situation. He also has seven eyes, which are explained as the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. The seven eyes denoted perfection of seeing: nothing escapes his eyes “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” (2 Chro:16:9) and “Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. ‘(These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range throughout the earth.)’” (Zech. 4:10)


John uses all these symbols to tell us that Christ (Lion) of the tribe of Judah and the line (Root) of David, is supremely powerful and all-knowing and that he has won his victory by his atoning and sacrificial death on the cross. As Revelation emphasizes, martyrdom is the means of conquering for both Christ and his followers.

The Lamb’s act calls forth a hymn of praise

The 1st group: The 24 elders (us the believers)

The Lamb’s act calls forth a hymn of praise from the living creatures and elders. (Rev. 5:8-11) “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for 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.”

Then I looked and heard 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!”

Previously the living creatures and the elders sand a hymn to God in Rev. 4:11:

“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.”

But now they sing a new song unlike anything sung before in heaven. Jesus Christ has introduced the new era of the Kingdom of God and the hosts of heaven sing his praise. His sacrifice on the cross shows that he is worthy of such honour. Through his death, he purchased men for God. The image here is of freeing slaves, as when God liberated Israel from Egypt to become the free people of God in the land of promise.

Let me tell you a story that someone sent me by email:

With all the new fertility technology, a 66 year old woman was recently able to give birth to a baby. When she was discharged from the hospital and went home, her relatives came to visit.

"May we see the new baby?" one asked.

"Not yet," said the mother, who decided to have a little of her own fun with the relatives. "I'll make coffee and we can visit for awhile first."

Thirty minutes had passed, and another relative asked, "May we see the new baby now?"

"No, not yet," said the mother.
After a few minutes had elapsed, they asked again, "May we see the baby now?"
"No, not yet," replied the mother.
Growing very impatient, they asked, "Well, when can we see the baby?"
"When it cries!" she told them.
"When it cries??" they demanded. "Why do we have to wait until it CRIES?"
"Because I forgot where I put it..."
Church, we should not forget to praise the Lamb that was slain but is standing.

The 2nd group: The angels

The next that John saw and heard that he wrote in this chapter 5 of Revelation is, the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand … surrounding the throne. (Rev. 5:11-12)

Then I looked and heard 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!”
This vision is similar to Daniel’s vision of the countless multitudes before ‘the ancient of Days.’ (Dan. 7:9-10)

As I looked,
“thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels were all ablaze.
A river of fire was flowing,
coming out from before him.
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
and the books were opened.

The first hymn in this scene is sung only to God (4:10-11) and the next two are songs of praise to the Lamb (5:9-10, 12), and the last hymn in 5:13-14 is a majestic finish in which all of God’s creatures in heaven and earth and in the sea unite in praise to God the Father and God the Son (5:13; 7:12; Phil. 2:6-11).

The number of singers has increased from twenty-eight in 5:8 to “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea,” in 5:13.

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

Conclusion

Believers, as Jesus’ disciples, we are called to imitate our master. We need to learn humility from how Christ is introduced to the human race as the slain Lamb and must learn to die to ourselves and take up our cross and follow him in all aspects of our life. “Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’” (Luke 9:23). This includes such small details as how we wish to be introduced as conference speakers, Honorable, or how we expect members of our congregations to address us; Reverend, Pastor etc.

We should not be sad about the death of our Master Jesus Christ. He died and rose from the grave to give us a total and complete Salvation which is denoted here in this chapter of Revelation by the number SEVEN which is the number of PERFECTION.

Let me tell you another story

Little Johnny, after being expelled from his latest school, was enrolled in a Catholic School. On his first day in the new school, he went to the cafeteria for lunch. The children were lined up patiently getting their lunches.

At the head of the serving line was a large pile of apples. One of the nuns made a note that said: "Take only one, God is watching."

Seeing this Little Johnny made a note of his own and placed it at the other end of the serving line, in front of a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

Little Johnny's note said: "Take all you want, God is watching the apples."

For Jonny, God was only watching the apples not everything around. We should know that Christ has power over every little thing in us and that is why “He had Seven Horns.” He knows every thing that we do and would do because He has “Seven Eyes.” (Rev. 5:6)

He was slain but standing at the centre of His Father’s throne meaning that those whose plans were to kill him, did not succeed in what they planed. Since the Lamb that was slain is standing, we should be ready to face His judgment.

The believers will say, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever!” and to be answered by the four living creatures “Amen.”

May the good Lord our Father bless you.
If you have any comments and/or questions

Contact

Andrew Angupale

P.O. Box 176, Yumbe - UGANDA
Tel: +256-772-923084; +256-718-455109; +256-756-282892
Email: andrew.angupale@gmail.com
Website: http://www.paulspcu.blogspot.com/
Skype: andys7012

The Christian Hope

“As a society, we fear death. For many it is certainly apprehension of the unknown. However, for those of us who know Christ, the resurrection gives us hope. When Jesus came out of the grave that day, He not only conquered death, He removed the term from our vocabulary!”

How can a well protected tomb be left empty?

After the death of Jesus Christ our Saviour, two very important men buried him in a very expensive unused grave. These men were secret followers of Jesus and were great men of Jewish council.

Joseph of Arimathea

Not all the members of the Jewish Council agreed on the sentence passed against Jesus. The trial of Jesus was repeated and the evidence investigated more carefully.

Joseph of Arimathea came to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body for burial because he was entitled to do. As a member of the Council who opposed the death sentence ruled against Jesus Christ, he was anxious not to lose his seat in the Council or his influence on the nation’s course. Pilate avenged himself once more on the Jews, who would drag executed criminals to the Hinnom Valley to be devoured by jackals, and surround by burning rubbish. God saved his Son from such shame after the Son had finished his vocation as the divine sacrifice on the cross by leading Joseph to bury him in a respectable expensive tomb. “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away.” (John 19:38)

Nicodemus

The second member of the Council who voted against the Council decision was Nicodemus who had earlier tried to nullify the secret judgment passed by the Council against Jesus, and demanded a fairer sitting to verify the facts. “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?” (John 7:51)

Nicodemus arrived bringing 75 pounds (about 34kg – NIV) [TEV – 100 pounds about 45kg] of precious ointment, as well as a grave clothes to wrap round the torn body and also to help Joseph bring down the corpse and bury it after anointing, a procedure followed by the nobility.

The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ led these two men to honour his dead Son, that the promise of Isaiah 53:9 might be fulfilled, that He would be buried with the rich and the noble in a decent grave. So there was no better way to honour Jesus than for Joseph to offer him his own tomb near the site of the crucifixion outside the city walls.

The order of appearance

The order of Christ’s after resurrection appearance seems to be as follows according to the Gospels: –

1. To Mary Magdalene and the other woman. Matt. 28:8-10, Jn. 20:11-18, Mk. 16:9-10
2. To Peter probably in the afternoon. Lk. 24:34, 1 Cor. 15:5. There is no record of this event except the mention in 1 Cor. 15:5
3. To the disciples on the Emmaus road toward evening. Lk. 24:13-32, Mk. 16:12
4. To the disciples except Thomas in the Upper room. Lk. 24:36-43, Jn. 20:19-25.
5. To the disciples including Thomas on the next Sunday night. Mk. 16:14, Jn. 20:26-29.
6. To seven disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. Jn. 21:1-24.
7. To the apostles and more than five hundred brethren and James, the Lord’s half brother present. 1 Cor. 15:6-7.
8. To those who witnessed the ascension. Matt. 28:18-20, Mk. 16:19, Lk. 24:44-53 & Acts 1:3-12.

 The resurrection

1. The events at the Passover dawn (Easter – Jn. 20:1 – 10)

(i) Mary Magdalene at the graveside (20:1-2)

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!’”

The disciples and the women who followed Jesus were distressed by the happenings of what we call Good Friday. The women watched at a distance how Jesus was placed in the tomb. The women and the disciples all had to hurry home so as not to be blamed for breaking the Sabbath law that starts Friday 6:00pm.

On that great Sabbath coinciding with the Passover Feast, no one dared go to the tomb. The multitudes were rejoicing at the though that God was reconciled with the nation symbolically with lambs slain but Christians were gathered fearfully and tearfully as their hopes lay buried with their Lord’s burial.

Early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and a few other women went out in tears for the anointing. When they neared the tomb, they were distressed in grief, thinking that the tomb was sealed by a huge stone. But on arriving they were dismayed to see the stone was rolled over by someone for them.

The open grave was the first miracle of the day, a witness to our anxieties and unbelief that Christ is able to roll away all stones weighing down our hearts. He who believes finds help in God.

When Mary Magdalene peered (looked very intently or carefully) into the tomb, she found no body there. terrified, she rushed to the disciples bursting out with, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!” This was an added crime and this is confirmed by the statements of the guards who were bribed by the Jews leaders to say, “His disciples took his body while we were asleep.” Matt. 28:11 – 15.

• How would sleeping people know what had happened?
• Would it be possible likely that all the soldiers were sleeping at the same time?
• Why would Roman soldiers risk incriminating themselves even for a large bribe?
• This story is self-contradictiory!

 (ii) Peter and John race to the tomb (20:3-10)

“So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw [the empty tomb] and believed.”

Peter and John raced to the tomb. Peter, the older one was running behind the youthful John. Both forgot their fear of spies and guards and passed through the city gates. When John reached the tomb, he did not enter but waited Peter’s arrival, a mark of respect for the senior apostle to see the tomb and its vacant state first. John was shaken by what he saw at first glance of the stone rolled away, the tomb open and the body vanished. The grave clothes also were carefully arranged.

When Peter entered the tomb, he perceived that the kerchief that had been on Jesus’ face was placed separately on the side. This meant that the body had not been stolen. When John show, he believed in Christ’s resurrection. Imagine all those years he spent with Jesus, he did not believe him until after his resurrection. And it was not his meeting with the Risen One that created faith in him but the empty tomb and the grave clothes neatly folded pointed him to the truth and to the faith. What is that, that can point you to the truth and faith in Jesus Christ?

The morning of the Great Feast witnessed two disciples returning home, troubled yet hopeful, trusting yet questioning and prayers to Jesus, who had left the tomb with his whereabouts unknown.

Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene (20:11 – 18)

“...but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don't know where they have put him.’ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. ‘Woman,’ he said, ‘why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’’ Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.”

The two disciples went back after realizing and seeing that the tomb was empty. There was no use in staying there at the tomb.

However, Mary Magdalene returned to the tomb after telling the disciples that it was empty. She stayed on, even though the two had gone home, because she was not content with the mere fact that the body had vanished. She held on to Jesus, for he was the hope of her strength. Losing sight of the body, her hope melted away. So she wept bitterly. “…but Mary stood outside the tomb crying.” Jn. 20:11

In the depths of her grief, Jesus sent her two angels who appeared to the other women also. Here she was seeing them sitting by the empty tomb in white. But they could not comfort her, because only seeing Jesus would do that. Her heart called out, “Where are you, my Lord?”

• What do we want?
• Why do we want what we desire?
• What are our goals?
• Do we accord with Mary Magdalene and ask for nothing save to see Jesus?
• Is your heart crying for him to come again into your life? 

Jesus responded to her cry. While others were content to see the empty tomb and hear angels, Mary Magdalene yearned to see and touch the real Jesus, not just to hear his words from the angels. She failed to realize his presence at that moment because her heart was sorrowful. Jesus knew Mary’s love and he broke through the barriers of her anguish with his words of compassion. He called her, “Woman,’ he said, ‘why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’” It was a respect to say “Woman.” Mary still did not recognize Jesus and she inquired from this person standing looking like a gardener, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Jesus called her by name this time, “Mary” (Jn. 20:16) to tell her that he knows her even by name just as the Good Shepherd could calls his sheep, whom he knows by name, offering life eternal. Jesus now calls you and me by name.

Mary answered in a word “Master!” after recognizing the resurrected Jesus standing near her. So Mary’s answer resembles the rapture of the waiting church which after a long expectation will see her Lord coming in the clouds, worship him in submission and praise him with “Hallelujah!”

Mary fell before Jesus in adoration trying to touch him, to hold on him never to leave him this time. Jesus prevented her from touching him because his love for her is spiritual now. He had granted her his voice and his presence and wished the growth of her faith by union with the Holy Spirit. This has show us clearly that neither touching Jesus, nor holding on to him will create union with him but rather it is faith in his Spiritual Being which unites us with him through his Holy Spirit.

•  Do you hear his voice, leaving behind all your doubts and sins to come to him?

Jesus said to Mary, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’’ Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!” (Jn. 20:17) This suggests that Jesus does not belong to Mary alone but to all mankind including you and me.

By means of this message to the disciples through Mary, Jesus comforted them and called them his brothers. By faith we become Jesus’ brothers and sisters, because of his cross and resurrection and immortal life. He calls us BROTHERS not just beloved. He signed the charter of our divine sonship with his own blood on the cross which is foolishness to the world.

• What is the substance of the message that Mary had to pass on orally to the disciples?
• First that he was alive. Mary’s meeting with Jesus was a historic fact.
• Second, Jesus’ Father was also ours; with this promise Jesus drew his disciples into the perfect fellowship with God. He did not speak of God distant, mighty and as judge, but a Father, Loving and Near. He is our Father because he is no longer our enemy on account of previous sin but loves us, who are forgiven by the ransom of the cross.

 Conclusion
Christ dwells in union with his Father and he wishes us to dwell in the Trinitarian union by the pouring out of his Holy Spirit, for love to flow out of us. He thus put the promise of full fellowship on the lips of Mary who first saw him after his victory over death. Mary was obedient; she left off the prostration at his feet and ran to witness to the disciples proclaiming his brotherhood with him and God’s fatherhood in union with us by grace. This message, like a trumpet of rejoicing, fills our sad hearts today.

Joseph one of the richest and honored man buried Jesus. He gave Jesus his personal GRAVE.

• Nicodemus very important person in the Council gave Jesus TREASURE.
• Mary Magdalene the star woman, who has nothing, gave Jesus the TIME.
• Has that joy of acceptance with God and your reviving reached you?
• Do you believe Mary’s message as the first messenger of the news that Christ had risen?
• What is that you want to give to the resurrected Jesus today?

May this article be a blessing to you all.

Build the church in you

St. Paul's Pilgrim Church Project

The renovated grass-thatched church building you are seeing on the left was first built by Mr. Kefa a Police Officer who was by then working in Yumbe. He organized and put up a temporary structure to be used by the Christian civil servants working the Yumbe. After Yumbe was given district status, more civils came in and are worshipping God in this church.

In 2007 the church collappsed and since then the Christians are worshiping God under two mango trees on the compound of Blessed Bee for Life.

The Church Property

The church acquired a land measuring nearly 90 meters x 90 meteres from Mr. Ariku Bilali. The congregation has started to develop the land and the first development is the Church building that started in 2005. The wall is finished and the roof is not started yet because of funding.

The Church view from west

The Church wall

Engineer Sam Aguta with the plumpers

The Youth after the church service having a standing meeting

The church leader (pastor) Andrew Angupale and all the different committees have been very innovative and practical. That one spirit and unity among the church leadership and the congregation brought new changes in the church that include:-

• The church purchased land property 90m x 90m.
• Built the wall you see above to the roofing level.
• Baptised 64 children within 2005 and 2009.
• Leadership training that the pastor received.

These changes have happened because the church allowed God's Holy Spirit to work through each member of the congregation.

Contact the pastor Andrew Angupale

P.O. Box 176, Yumbe - UGANDA
Tel: +256-772-923084; +256-718455109; +256-756-282892
Email: andrew.angupale@gmail.com
Website: http://www.paulspcu.blogspot.com/
Skype: andys7012