How does Revelation 5:12 connect to Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah? Revelation 5:12 in Focus “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” John hears every creature in heaven proclaiming a seven-fold doxology over the Lamb. Each word in that anthem echoes a prophetic promise the Old Testament already attached to the coming Messiah. The Seven-Fold Praise Traced Back to the Prophets • Power • Psalm 110:2 — “The LORD will extend Your mighty scepter from Zion.” • Isaiah 9:6-7 — “the government will be upon His shoulders… of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” • Daniel 7:14 — “to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples… should serve Him.” Revelation repeats the promise: the exalted Lamb wields the ultimate authority foretold by David, Isaiah, and Daniel. • Riches (Wealth) • Psalm 72:10-11, 15 — “May the kings of Tarshish… bring tribute; …may gold from Sheba be given to Him.” • Haggai 2:7-8 — “‘The treasure of all nations will arrive… the silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,’ declares the LORD.” The kings’ treasures point to the Messiah’s right to all material wealth—now celebrated in heaven as His inheritance. • Wisdom • Isaiah 11:2 — “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding.” • Jeremiah 23:5 — “He will reign wisely and execute justice and righteousness.” Heaven affirms that the Lamb embodies the perfect wisdom the prophets promised. • Strength (Might) • Isaiah 40:10 — “See, the Lord GOD comes with power, and His arm rules for Him.” • Psalm 89:13 — “Your arm is mighty; Your hand is strong.” The Lamb who was slain is the mighty arm of the LORD unveiled. • Honor • Isaiah 52:13 — “My Servant will act wisely; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.” • 1 Samuel 2:30 — “Those who honor Me I will honor.” The Servant who honored the Father through obedience now receives universal honor. • Glory • Psalm 24:7-10 — “Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty.” • Isaiah 60:1-2 — “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Revelation reveals that the Lamb Himself bears the very glory of the LORD anticipated by the psalmists and prophets. • Blessing • Genesis 12:3 — “In you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” • Psalm 72:17 — “All nations will be blessed in Him; they will call Him blessed.” What began as a promise to Abraham finds its climactic fulfillment as all creation blesses the Lamb. The “Slain” Lamb Foretold • Exodus 12 — the Passover lamb foreshadowed substitutionary sacrifice. • Isaiah 53:5-12 — “He was pierced for our transgressions… He poured out His life unto death.” • Psalm 22:16-18 — “They pierced My hands and My feet… they cast lots for My clothing.” Revelation identifies Jesus as that very Lamb, literally slain yet alive, validating every sacrificial shadow in the Law and Prophets. Universal Worship Promised, Now Fulfilled • Psalm 22:27 — “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD.” • Psalm 86:9 — “All the nations You have made will come and bow before You.” • Isaiah 45:23 — “Every knee will bow.” • Daniel 7:14 — “His dominion is an everlasting dominion.” The chorus of angels, elders, and every creature in Revelation 5:12 mirrors these pledges: the Messiah’s reign draws global, indeed cosmic, adoration. Why the Connection Matters • The New Testament does not invent new titles for Jesus; it gathers ancient promises and shows them kept in Him. • The Lamb’s worthiness validates the literal reliability of prophetic Scripture—every detail stands fulfilled or awaits sure completion. • Seeing Old Testament hopes converge in Christ deepens confidence that the same Lord will finish the story exactly as foretold. Living in Light of the Vision • Worship with informed awe, knowing our praise harmonizes with the prophetic chorus of heaven and earth. • Rest in the Lamb’s complete sufficiency; the power, riches, wisdom, and strength we need are His to supply. • Honor and glorify Him now, anticipating the day every creature will openly do the same. |
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