Revelation 5:6

¶ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And {G2532} I beheld {G1492}, and {G2532}, lo {G2400}, in {G1722} the midst {G3319} of the throne {G2362} and {G2532} of the four {G5064} beasts {G2226}, and {G2532} in {G1722} the midst {G3319} of the elders {G4245}, stood {G2476} a Lamb {G721} as {G5613} it had been slain {G4969}, having {G2192} seven {G2033} horns {G2768} and {G2532} seven {G2033} eyes {G3788}, which {G3739} are {G1526} the seven {G2033} Spirits {G4151} of God {G2316} sent forth {G649} into {G1519} all {G3956} the earth {G1093}.

Then I saw standing there with the throne and the four living beings, in the circle of the elders, a Lamb that appeared to have been slaughtered. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the sevenfold Spirit of God sent out into all the earth.

Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.

Commentary

Context

Revelation 5:6 is a pivotal verse in John's apocalyptic vision, shifting the focus from the search for one worthy to open the sealed scroll to the triumphant revelation of Jesus Christ as the only one capable. Following the lament in Revelation 5:4 that no one in heaven or on earth was found worthy, an elder points to the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" in Revelation 5:5. However, when John looks, he sees not a fierce lion, but a "Lamb as it had been slain," emphasizing that Christ's victory comes through sacrifice, not brute force.

The Sacrificial Lamb

The central and most profound image of this verse is the "Lamb as it had been slain." This depiction of Jesus Christ highlights His sacrificial death on the cross, which is the foundation of His authority and ability to execute God's divine plan. The imagery of the Lamb connects directly to the Old Testament Passover lamb, whose blood provided atonement and deliverance for Israel. John the Baptist famously declared Jesus to be the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." This 'slain' yet standing Lamb represents Christ's triumph over death through His resurrection, making Him uniquely qualified to open the scroll of destiny and fulfill all prophecy.

Symbolism of Power and Knowledge

The Lamb is described with two significant symbolic features: "seven horns and seven eyes." These attributes speak to His divine nature and capabilities:

  • Seven Horns: In biblical symbolism, horns often represent strength, power, and authority, particularly kingly power. The number seven signifies completeness or perfection. Thus, 'seven horns' signifies the Lamb's perfect, absolute, and universal power and authority, reflecting His divine sovereignty over all creation.
  • Seven Eyes: Eyes symbolize knowledge, understanding, and insight. 'Seven eyes' therefore denote perfect knowledge, omniscience, and divine perception. This suggests that the Lamb sees and knows all things, a characteristic inherent to God Himself.

The Seven Spirits of God

The verse clarifies the meaning of the "seven eyes," stating they "are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." This phrase is widely understood to represent the Holy Spirit in His fullness and perfect activity. It emphasizes the Holy Spirit's omnipresence and omniscience, actively working throughout the entire world to accomplish God's purposes. This concept echoes prophetic descriptions like Isaiah 11:2, which speaks of the Spirit of the Lord resting upon the Messiah with manifold attributes (wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord). The connection here shows that Christ, the Lamb, is fully endowed with and works in perfect unity with the Holy Spirit.

Centrality and Authority

The Lamb's position "in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders" is crucial. It signifies His absolute centrality and supreme authority in the heavenly realm. He is not merely present but is the focal point of divine governance and heavenly worship. This imagery confirms that the Lamb is worthy of all praise and is integral to God's unfolding plan for redemption and judgment, standing in the very heart of divine power and glory.

Practical Application

Revelation 5:6 offers profound comfort and assurance to believers. It reveals that the ultimate authority and power in the universe belong to the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who achieved victory not through earthly conquest but through selfless sacrifice. This verse reminds us that our Savior is omnipotent and omniscient, fully aware of all circumstances and perfectly capable of fulfilling God's promises. It assures us that the Holy Spirit is actively at work throughout the earth, guiding, empowering, and witnessing to Christ's reign. This vision provides immense hope, knowing that God's sovereign plan is securely in the hands of the victorious Lamb.

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Cross-References

  • Zechariah 4:10 (22 votes)

    For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel [with] those seven; they [are] the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

  • Revelation 5:12 (17 votes)

    Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

  • John 1:29 (17 votes)

    ¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

  • Zechariah 3:9 (15 votes)

    For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone [shall be] seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

  • Revelation 13:8 (12 votes)

    And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

  • Isaiah 53:7 (12 votes)

    He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

  • Isaiah 53:8 (12 votes)

    He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.