Sermon #1114 Miscellaneous Sermons

Title: THE LAMB IN THE MIDST OF THE THRONE

Text: Revelation 7:17

Scripture Reading: Revelation 7:1-17

Subject: Christ The Lamb Upon His Throne

Date: Sunday Morning – October 31, 1993

Tape #

Introduction:

I want to begin at Revelation 7:13 and work our way down to my text, which will be found in verse 17. Verses 13-17 describe the honor, happiness, and blessedness of those who faithfully serve, patiently suffer for, and steadfastly follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Some say that this blessedness refers to the saints in the world to come. Some say it refers to the saints upon the earth now. And some say if refers both to the blessedness of God’s saints in the world to come and to the blessedness of God’s saints in this present world. I agree with them, because the blessedness of God’s saints in glory is begun in grace. The saints in heave have perfect blessedness and enjoy it perfectly. But we have the very same blessedness though we enjoy it imperfectly.

· All have come out of great tribulation!

· All have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb!

· All are in a state of honor, happiness, and blessedness in Christ the world knows nothing of (Matt. 5:11; Eph. 1:3).

Briefly take notice of the eightfold blessedness of all true believers, the blessedness of all God’s elect in Christ (vv. 14-17). All believers are blessed…

1. In Their State – Washed, Justified, and Sanctified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

2. In Their Place – Continually, we are “before the throne” of God!

3. In Their Service – Believers “serve him day and night in his temple!”

We do not worship God one day in seven, but everyday continually. We worship God in the Spirit (Phil 3:3), pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:16) and live at the altar Christ Jesus (Heb. 13:10), praising God continually (Heb. 13:15).

4. In Their Company – “He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them!”

This speaks of the friendship, fellowship, and familiarity that exists between the Lord God and his people (I John 1:3; II Cor. 6:17-18).

5. In Their Freedom – (v. 16).

Believers are free from care, freed from all fear of want (John 6:35). Christ meets all our needs.

· Spiritual Needs!

· Carnal Needs!

· Eternal Needs!

Believers are also freed from uneasiness and fear arises from the sun of affliction and the heat of persecution! There shall no evil happen to the just!

Illustration: If I could see this thing the way God sees it, I would see that it is alright!

6. In Their Provision – “For the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed them.”

The word “feed” here has the ideal of a pastoral, or shepherd work. It means to feed, to rule, and to protect. This is what Christ does for us (Isa. 40:11).

7. In Their Direction – It is written of the Lamb, He “shall lead them unto fountains of water.”

In the midst of troubles, trials, and temptations in this world Christ Jesus promises to order our steps and lead us to fountains of water, living water – His Word – His Spirit!

· To Cleans Us!

· To Comfort Us!

· To Revive Us!

8. In Their Joys – “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Isa. 65:18-19).

Though it is not yet perfect, this joy begins here. Even now “the God of hope fill (us) with joy and peace in believing” (Rom. 15:13).

That is the blessedness of God’s elect. Take it home with you and enlarge upon what I have said in your own mediations. But now I want us to focus our attention upon the first line of verse 17. This, in my opinion, is the most blessed and glorious part of the whole chapter. “The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne!” Were it not for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne,” there would be no blessedness for us!

Proposition: The Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, is The Lamb in the midst of the throne.

Divisions: That is my subject – The Lamb In The Midst of The Throne. I want to consider this subject under five questions:

1. Who Is This Lamb?

2. What Is This Throne?

3. How Did This Lamb Come To Be Upon This Throne?

4. What is Suggested By The Lamb’s Being In The Midst of The Throne?

5. How Does This Lamb Feed Those Who Are Continually Before His Throne?

I. First, I want us to think about the Lamb – Who Is The Lamb?

This Lamb is, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ. Through the Scriptures he is referred to under the figure of a lamb because of his immaculate whiteness and innocence, and because of his incomparable meekness and patience.

· He is The Lamb of God.

· He is The Lamb Slain.

· He is The Worthy Lamb.

· He is The Lamb in the Midst of the throne.

In the Word of God the Lord Jesus Christ is presented as the Lamb of God in seven ways.

A. The Lamb of God Slain in Divine Predestination (Rev. 13:8).

B. The Lamb of God Setforth in O.T. Pictures.

· Abel’s Sacrifice.

· Abraham at Moriah.

· The Passover.

· The Paschal Lamb

· The Scapegoat.

C. The Lamb of God Promised in O.T. Prophecy (Isa. 53).

D. The Lamb of God Revealed in His Earthly Presentation (John 1:29, 36).

E. The Lamb of God Sacrificed for Sin’s Propitiation (Acts 8:32).

F. The Lamb of God Exalted and Praised (Rev. 5:9-10; 7:17).

G. The Lamb of God in Judgment Punishing Sinners in Wrath (Rev. 6:17).

There he sits, in the midst of the throne of God, The Lamb of God, our Savior!

1. Though he is exalted, he is still the Lamb of God – He took our human nature with him to heaven. Though he is upon the throne, he is still the tender Lamb, touched by what touches us!

2. He sits upon the throne as the Lamb slain (Rev. 5:6). His sacrifice is never forgotten in heaven. It always speaks! It is always meritorious! It is always effectual!

3. This Lamb has “Seven Horns” (Rev. 5:6). All Power, Omnipotence to push down his enemies and accomplish the will of God.

4. And this Lamb has “Seven Eyes,” the seven Spirits of God (Rev. 5:6). He possesses perfect wisdom and he is anointed with the Spirit of God without measure.

NOTE: The number “seven” does not refer to a multiple of persons but to the diversity of gifts and operations of God the Holy Spirit, who flows to us through and from the Lamb slain (Gal. 3:13-14).

II. What About the throne mentioned in our text – What Is This Throne?

We know that it is the throne of God and of the Lamb, (Rev. 22:1-3; 4:2-3). But what kind of throne is this?

A. It is a Fixed Throne of Total Sovereignty.

B. It is a Throne Surrounded by A Rainbow – The Covenant of Grace. (Rev. 4:3).

C. It is a Throne that can be approached only across the “Sea of Glass” that lies before it (Rev. 4:6) – The Lover of Brass – The Blood of Christ!

D. This throne is called “The Throne of Grace” (Heb. 4:16).

E. It is called The Throne of God’s Glory (Jer. 14:21).

The ark of the covenant, upon which the glory of God was revealed, represented the throne of God and Christ upon it. “As the grace of God is the glory of God, so all the glory of God shines in the face of Jesus Christ” – Ralph Erskine.

F. This throne is called The Throne of God’s Holiness (Ps. 47:8).

Holiness becomes his house. Holiness becomes his throne. And holiness is his throne. There is nothing there but holiness (Isa. 6:3).

· The Holy Lord God.

· The Holy Lamb of God.

· The Holy Spirit of God.

· The Holy Angels of God.

· The Holy Saints of God.

G. This throne, upon which the Lamb sits is The Throne of God’s Justice – “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne” (Ps. 89:14).

“His glorious and holy throne of grace stands firm upon the base and foundation of justice satisfied for the sinner, and judgment executed against sin in the blood of the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne. It is therefore no hindrance or impediment to our access to the throne of grace that it is also the throne of justice; but rather a feather once and encouragement, because there grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:21).” R. Erskine.

H. I rejoice to know that my God, my Savior, the Lamb of God sits in the midst of The Throne! Not a throne, but The Throne, because there really is only one throne in the universe. And the Lamb of God is in the midst of that throne!

1. The Throne is The place of Majesty, Glory, Honor, and Dignity (Heb. 2:9).

2. The Throne is The place of Power, Authority, and Dominion (Matt. 28:18; John 17:2) – “The government shall be upon his shoulder!”

3. The Throne is The Place of Exaltation and Pre-eminence (Isa. 6:1-7; Phil. 2:9).

4. The Throne is The Place of Bounty and Abundance (Col. 1:19; John 1:16) – Abundant Grace!

5. The Throne is The Place of Pleasure and Prosperity.

· “The Pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”

· “At thy right hand are pleasures for evermore!”

III. Thirdly, I want to show you the answer to this question – How Did This Lamb Come To Be Upon This Throne?

Without question, he sits upon the throne by right because he is God. It is his throne! But we are looking at him as the Lamb slain, the Mediator, the God0man, the sinners’ Substitute and Surety. How did he come to sit upon the throne in this character, as the Lamb?

A. He Bargained for It In The Covenant of Grace.

· “I have made my covenant with my chosen” (Ps. 89:3).

· “Lo, I come to do thy will I delight to do thy will” – (Ps. 40).

· “Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Ps. 2:8).

B. He Worked for It and Earned It by His Obedience to God as our Representative (John 17:4-5).

· He fulfilled all righteousness (Matt. 3:15).

· He brought in everlasting righteousness (Dan. 9:24).

· He put away sin (Heb. 9:26).

C. He Fought For and Won The Throne by His Mighty Conquests (Isa. 63:1-3; Ps. 68:18-20; 110:1).

D. He Died For It – (Phil. 2:5-9).

When our Lord had the cross on his back, he had the throne in his eye (Heb. 12:2). Thus, for the suffering of death he was crowned with glory and honor (Heb. 2:9).

IV. Fourthly, What Is Suggested and Implied to Us By The Lamb’s Being In The Midst of The Throne?

A. The Dignity of His Person – This Lamb is God! None but God sit upon the throne!

B. The Height and Glory of His Exaltation.

Phil. 2:9-11

Psalm 89:27

Acts 2:36

Rev. 19:13-14

C. The Perfection of His Mediation (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 10:10-14).

D. The Beauty and Equity of His Dominion.

“Behold a King shall reign in righteousness!” (Isa. 32:1; 11:4-5).

E. The Accessibility Sinners Now Have To The Holy, Glorious Lord God By The Blood of Christ! (Heb. 4:16; 10:19).

“Whosoever will, let him come!” The Lamb in the midst of the throne says, “Welcome sinner! Welcome home to God!” “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out!” “He is able to save to the uttermost all them that come unto God by him.” And he will! Come to God by faith in Christ, and he will save you!

F. The Lamb in the Midst of The Throne Certainly Implies That The Lamb is The center of all The Glory that Surrounds and Encompasses the Throne of God!

“Christ is all in all” for he is the center of all things. He is the center of…

1. The Divine Fulness (Col. 2:9).

2. The Divine Truths (Eph. 4:21).

3. The Divine Promises (II Cor. 1:20).

4. The Divine Blessings (Eph. 1:3).

5. Divine Grace (John 1:16).

6. Divine Comfort (Ps. 45:7).

7. All Saving Offices are His – Prophet – Priest – King!

8. All Sweet, Everlasting Relations are ours in Him. Christ is our – Savior – Surety – Husband – Head – Light – Life – Friend – Brother – Kinsman – Rock – Refuge – Portion – and Salvation!

9. He is the Center Peace – The Mercy-Seat, where God meets with man in mercy and grace.

10. Christ is the Center of All Things.

· The Center of Divine Revelation.

· The Center of Propitiation and Atonement.

· The Center of Worship and Service.

· The Center of our Affections.

· The Center of our Provisions.

· The Center of All Things (Eph. 1:10).

V. Fifthly, our text speaks of feeding – How Does This Lamb Feed Those Who Are Continually Before His Throne?

He feeds us. No one else can. It is the work of the Lamb in the midst of the throne to feed by the efficacy of his grace. He feeds us by…

A. The Ministry of His Word.

B. The Ordinances of Divine Worship.

C. The Power of His Holy Spirit.

D. Upon His own Person and His Own Works.

1. The finest and best thins are always free (Isa. 55:1).

2. The legalist feeds upon his own works.

Rabshakeh threatened to make the people upon the walls of Jerusalem to eat their own dung (II Kings. 18:26). Legal preachers accomplish what he threatened. He who teaches men to feed upon their own good works feeds them dung!

3. Christ feeds us upon Himself!

a. With Manifestations of His Glory.

b. With Revelations of His Love.

c. With communications of His Grace.

d. With The Consolations of His Spirit.

e. With The Assurance of His Goodness, Faithfulness, and Immutability.

Application:

If the Lord Jesus Christ is The Lamb in the midst of the Throne…

1. The Church of God and The Cause of Christ are Safe!

2. You who are His Enemies Should Tremble!

3. There is a way for Sinners to Draw Near to God!

4. Jesus Christ is the Savior you need – (John 12:32) “Draw All men!)

· A Divine Savior!

· A Royal Savior! – He is King!

· A Rich Savior! – All things are His! All Grace is In Him!

· A Lovely Savior! – “He is altogether lovely!” – God and Man.

· A Loving Savior! – “He gave himself for us!”

· A Just Savior! – He paid all our debts!

· An Everlasting Savior! – He changes not! He saves forever!

· All praise to “The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne! Amen!