The Lamb Who Was Slain is Worthy

The book of Revelation, a divine unveiling of things to come, presents a profound and pivotal scene in its fifth chapter. Before the throne of God, a sealed book, holding the destinies of all creation, awaits its opener. A mighty angel proclaims, "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?" (Revelation 5:2). The weight of this question causes John to weep, for "no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon" (Revelation 5:3). Yet, comfort is found as one of the elders declares, "Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof" (Revelation 5:5). What John then beholds is not a ferocious lion, but a Lamb, "as it had been slain," standing in the midst of the throne (Revelation 5:6). This Lamb, Jesus Christ, is the central figure of redemption, and His worthiness is the eternal anthem of heaven and earth. His worthiness stems from His very nature and, critically, from His sacrificial death.

The Identity of the Lamb: God Incarnate

Before His advent into the world, the Lamb was, and is, God. John 1:1 declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This eternal Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He is not merely a prophet, a good teacher, or a moral example; He is the Creator Himself, through whom "all things were made; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). The very act of creation speaks to His inherent power, wisdom, and glory. When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming unto him, he proclaimed, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). This title, "Lamb of God," immediately connects Jesus to the Old Testament sacrificial system, particularly the Passover lamb, whose blood protected Israel from the angel of death (Exodus 12:13). Unlike the temporary, imperfect sacrifices of bulls and goats, this Lamb is divine, without blemish, and perfectly suited to accomplish eternal redemption. His pre-existence, His co-equality with God the Father, and His role as Creator establish His foundational worthiness before ever stepping into the realm of human history.

The Sacrifice of the Lamb: Propitiation for Sin

The worthiness of the Lamb is profoundly magnified by the fact that He "was slain." This is the core of the Gospel message and the foundation of our hope. Humanity, by its very nature, is sinful and separated from a holy God. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). God, in His infinite love and justice, provided the only means of reconciliation: the shedding of innocent blood. Hebrews 9:22 states, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

Jesus, the spotless Lamb, willingly laid down His life, a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 Peter 2:24

His death on the cross was not an accident or a defeat, but the ultimate act of propitiation—a satisfaction of divine justice—and redemption. We are "redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18-19). This singular, perfect sacrifice abolished the need for any further offerings, establishing a new covenant in His blood. It is because He was slain, offering Himself as the perfect, eternal atonement, that He is supremely worthy to open the book and to receive all worship.

The Worthiness of the Lamb: Power, Riches, Wisdom, Strength, Honour, Glory, Blessing

The heavenly host, comprising "ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands," joins the elders and the four beasts in a thunderous declaration of the Lamb's worthiness:

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.

Revelation 5:12

This seven-fold acclamation encompasses the totality of divine perfection and human adoration. Each element underscores a facet of His unparalleled nature and saving work:

  • Power: He possesses all power in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18). This is the power that created the cosmos, raised Him from the dead, and sustains all things. It is the power to overcome sin, death, and the grave.
  • Riches: Not material wealth, but the inexhaustible spiritual riches of His divine nature, His grace, His mercy, and the inheritance He bestows upon His saints. He is "rich in mercy" (Ephesians 2:4) and possesses "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8).
  • Wisdom: He is the embodiment of divine wisdom, "the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24), in whom "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). His plan of salvation, conceived in eternity, is the ultimate display of perfect wisdom.
  • Strength: He is the strength of God, able to uphold all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). His strength enabled Him to bear the weight of the world's sin and conquer every foe, including Satan and death.
  • Honour: Due to His divine nature and His redemptive work, He is worthy of the highest honour. Every knee shall bow to Him (Philippians 2:10), acknowledging His supreme dignity and authority.
  • Glory: This refers to His inherent divine radiance, the manifestation of His infinite perfections. He is the "brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person" (Hebrews 1:3). His glory was veiled in His earthly humiliation, but fully revealed in His resurrection and exaltation.
  • Blessing: The spontaneous, heartfelt adoration and praise poured out upon Him by all creation. He is the source of all blessing, and thus, all blessing is due to Him.

    • This comprehensive list underscores that there is nothing good, true, or powerful that does not ultimately reside in or flow from the Lamb who was slain.

    The Cosmic Acknowledgment of His Worthiness

    The praise of the Lamb is not confined to a select few; it is a universal chorus that reverberates throughout creation. Following the seven-fold declaration, John hears:

    And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

    Revelation 5:13

    This verse paints a breathtaking picture of cosmic worship. Not just angels and redeemed humanity, but "every creature" acknowledges the supreme worth of God and the Lamb. This includes all beings, visible and invisible, throughout the universe. It signifies the complete and utter triumph of Christ, whose sacrifice has brought reconciliation not only to humanity but to all creation (Colossians 1:20). The "Amen" of the four beasts and the prostration of the elders (Revelation 5:14) seal this worship as eternally true and eternally due. This universal acknowledgment is a testament to the absolute and indisputable worthiness of the Lamb, whose redemptive work has brought glory to God in the highest.

    Our Response to His Worthiness: Worship and Obedience

    If the heavenly hosts and all creation bow in adoration before the Lamb who was slain, how much more should those who have been redeemed by His precious blood respond with profound worship and devoted obedience? Our salvation is not merited by our works, but is a free gift received through faith in His finished work on the cross. Therefore, our lives ought to be a continual offering of praise and service to Him who bought us with such a great price.

    Our response should manifest in several ways:

    • Adoration: To worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), acknowledging His supreme worth in our private and corporate lives. This includes prayer, singing, and meditation on His character and deeds.
    • Obedience: To live a life that honors His commands and follows His example. "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Our obedience is not a means to earn salvation, but a demonstration of our love and reverence for the One who saved us.
    • Proclamation: To declare His worthiness to a lost world. Just as the heavenly choir proclaims His power and glory, so too should we bear witness to His saving grace and the hope found only in Him. "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Corinthians 4:5).
    • Sacrificial Living: To offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1). This means crucifying the flesh daily and living for His glory, not our own.

    The worthiness of the Lamb calls us to a life transformed, a life lived in constant acknowledgment of His matchless love and power.

    The Reigning Lamb, Eternally Worthy

    The Lamb who was slain is not merely a figure of past sacrifice; He is the reigning Lord, now seated at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12). His worthiness is an eternal truth, celebrated in the present and throughout all eternity. He holds the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:18), exercises all authority, and will return in power and great glory to judge the living and the dead. The vision of Revelation assures us that despite the trials and tribulations of this present age, the Lamb will ultimately prevail, and His worthiness will be universally confessed.

    As believers, we are called to fix our eyes upon this Lamb, to remember His sacrifice, to rejoice in His resurrection, and to anticipate His glorious return. The knowledge that "the Lamb that was slain is worthy" should fill our hearts with unceasing praise and inspire us to live lives that reflect His glory. For indeed, "unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Revelation 1:5-6).