All are agreed, however, that "the root of Jesse" is but another way of speaking of Him

who should "grow out of his roots". Mal. 4: 1 shows that "root" as well as "branch" is

used to indicate posterity. The prophecy of the Apocalypse is far more concerned to

show the fulfillment of the promise concerning the Seed of David, than it is to prove the

deity of Christ.

The Lord is seen as the great King, prevailing as the Lion of Judah, concerning whom

alone a sceptre is mentioned, and as the root of David who, being raised from the dead,

sits on David's throne.

One further and all-important truth is revealed in the vision concerning this kingly

overcomer. The Lion of Judah and the root of David, is the Lamb of God. When He first

came amongst men as the sent One of God, He came not as a Lion, but was pointed out

as the "Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world". When John beholds Him in

His risen glory, he still sees Him not as a Lion, but as the Lamb; when the day of His

wrath comes, and strikes terror in the breast of all, we read of the wrath of the Lamb, not

the Lion; when the marriage of heaven's King is announced, it is the marriage of the

Lamb, not the Lion. More pointedly, perhaps, is 6: 1, where it is the Lamb who opens

the seals, although the elder said it was the Lion. We are not to understand that He who

once was the Lamb has now become the Lion. No, the Lamb it is that is seen right

through the prophecy, the Lion never. Christ as the Lamb fulfils all the prophecies that

speak of Him as Lion and King. The Lamb bears the marks of sacrifice, "standing as

having been slain". Without the redemption concerning which the slain Lamb speaks, the

throne of David would remain vacant, and the Lion of Judah would never be known.

Heaven is about to burst forth in a new song, and it is to the Lamb they sing, and of His

redemption, not to the Lion and of his strength.

Throughout the Scriptures there runs teaching that is summed up in this vision of the

enthroned Lamb. Man by nature would give the battle to the strong. God has throughout

glorified humility and meekness, everything in fact that goes with a lamb-like character.

Those who suffer, overcome, while those who appear before their fellows as the greatest

conquerors have suffered the greatest of defeats.

The Lamb, however, is living when John looks toward the throne. Blessed be God, He

was dead, but behold He is alive for evermore. Without the resurrection the Lamb had

died in vain. Resurrection is as vital to the fulfillment of the promises made to David

concerning his earthly throne and city as it is to the Church of the One Body. Peter, in

Acts 2:, speaking of David says:--