How does Revelation 5:6 connect to Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah? Revelation 5:6—A Snapshot of the Messiah “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.” Key details to trace back into the Old Testament: - Lamb imagery - Slain yet standing - Seven horns - Seven eyes - The seven Spirits of God The Lamb Theme—From Passover to Isaiah 53 - Exodus 12:3–13: the Passover lamb’s blood spared Israel from judgment; Jesus embodies that deliverance. - Leviticus 17:11: life is in the blood; atonement requires a sacrifice, fulfilled in the Lamb. - Isaiah 53:7: “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter” — the Servant suffers in substitution for sinners. - John 1:29 echoes the same OT trajectory: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Revelation simply completes what the Torah and Prophets began. Slain Yet Standing—Death and Resurrection Foretold - Psalm 22 and Psalm 16:10 foresee both suffering and deliverance from death. - Isaiah 53:8–10 promises the Servant will die and yet “see His offspring” and “prolong His days,” implying resurrection. - Revelation shows the Lamb “slain” (death) yet “standing” (resurrection), joining the prophetic dots in one dramatic picture. Seven Horns—Perfect Royal Power - Horns symbolize strength and kingship (Deuteronomy 33:17; 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalm 132:17). - Seven, the biblical number of completeness, signals total authority. - Daniel 7:13-14 foretells a Son of Man who receives an everlasting dominion; the Lamb’s seven horns visualize that unlimited rule. - Psalm 2 and Psalm 110:1-2 anticipate a Messiah who rules the nations—authority the Lamb now openly displays. Seven Eyes—Omniscience and Zechariah’s Stone - Zechariah 3:9: the stone with “seven eyes.” - Zechariah 4:10: “these seven eyes of the LORD, which range throughout the earth.” - The seven eyes in Revelation signal the Messiah’s all-seeing wisdom and watchful care, fulfilling Zechariah’s vision that God would remove iniquity “in a single day” (3:9)—accomplished at the cross. The Seven Spirits—Isaiah 11’s Spirit-Filled King - Isaiah 11:2 lists seven aspects of the Spirit—Spirit of the LORD, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the LORD. - Revelation links those “seven Spirits” to the Lamb, showing He possesses the Spirit without measure (John 3:34) and exercises perfect, Spirit-empowered rule. Bringing the Threads Together - The Passover Lamb, Isaiah’s suffering Servant, David’s horn of salvation, Zechariah’s all-seeing stone, and Isaiah 11’s Spirit-anointed Branch converge in one Person. - Revelation 5:6 is not a new concept but a Spirit-given synthesis of centuries of prophecy. - Every feature of John’s vision—Lamb, blood, resurrection life, flawless authority, penetrating insight, Spirit fullness—stands on an Old Testament foundation, confirming that Jesus is the long-promised Messiah. |
    |