How can Jesus be both the Lamb receiving the scroll (Revelation 5:7) and also God on the throne if they appear as separate entities? The Lamb Receiving the Scroll and the God on the Throne Revelation 5:7 states, “And He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne.” The question arises: If Jesus is fully God, how can He receive the scroll from God seated upon the throne? The following sections explore this issue in detail, addressing the scriptural context, Trinitarian understanding, ancient manuscript consistency, and other considerations that illuminate how these two realities stand in perfect harmony. 1. Scriptural Context in Revelation Revelation 5 provides a cosmic courtroom scene where the majesty of God the Father on His throne intersects with the unique worthiness of the Lamb to open the scroll. Verse 5:6 adds a layer to the imagery: “Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne…”. This imagery combines sacrificial connotation (the Lamb “slain”) with the position and authority unique to God Himself (“in the center of the throne”). The passage maintains two distinct yet unified portrayals. The Father, seated on the throne, holds the scroll, and the Son, appearing as a Lamb, takes the scroll. This is not a contradiction but captures the relational dimension between the Father and the Son. Throughout Revelation, the throne room passages highlight God’s sovereignty, while also exalting the Lamb’s divinity by attributing acts and honors that belong to God alone (cf. Revelation 5:12–14). 2. The Triune Nature of God When reading Revelation 5:7, it is essential to consider the Trinity: one God, existing eternally in three distinct Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Scripture presents them as co-eternal, co-equal in divine essence, yet operating in personal distinction. • Authority Shared, Roles Distinguished John 10:30 quotes Jesus stating, “I and the Father are one.” This underscores the oneness of essence. Yet, He also prays to the Father (John 17), signifying distinct personhood. The same principle applies in Revelation: the Lamb (the Son) is distinct in Person from the One on the throne (the Father), yet they share the same divine nature. • Divine Work Affirmed The New Testament consistently shows the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit involved in creation (John 1:1–3; Colossians 1:16–17), sustaining the cosmos (Hebrews 1:3), and redemption (Ephesians 1:3–14). This Trinitarian framework allows the Lamb both to receive the scroll (as the worthy Redeemer) and to share the throne (as fully divine). 3. Biblical Precedents for Divine Persons Interacting Revelation 5:7 is not the only passage where we see divine Persons in relation to one another: • The Baptism of Jesus Matthew 3:16–17 describes the Son being baptized, the Spirit descending like a dove, and the Father speaking from heaven. All three Persons appear simultaneously yet remain one God. • The Plan of Redemption Isaiah 53:10–12 foreshadows the Father’s will to crush the Servant (the Son) in our place. This redemptive plan unfolds through both the Father’s sending and the Son’s willing sacrifice (John 3:16). Just as these passages show interaction among the divine Persons, so Revelation 5:7 presents an inter-Trinitarian action where the Son, as the Lamb, receives what the Father holds. The Son is not a separate deity but the same eternal Being, co-equal with the Father, distinct in Person. 4. The Consistency of Manuscript Evidence Ancient copies of the Book of Revelation—such as those represented in codices Sinaiticus and Alexandrinus—attest consistently to this scene in Revelation 5:7. There is no variant suggesting separate “Gods.” Rather, the text uniformly presents the Lamb and the One seated on the throne, preserving the early church’s understanding that the Father and Son share divine status and are not contradictory entities. Archaeological discoveries, including older Greek manuscripts, fragmentary papyri, and corroborations from the early church fathers (e.g., Irenaeus, writing in the second century), affirm this same text and its theological implications. These historical sources lend weight to the reliability of Revelation and the consistency of its teaching on the nature of Christ. 5. Lamb Imagery and Old Testament Foreshadowing The motif of the Lamb receiving the scroll is deeply rooted in Old Testament symbolism: • Sacrificial Context The Passover lamb of Exodus 12 prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 5:7 calls Christ “our Passover lamb.” He fulfills the sacrificial system, taking upon Himself the penalty of sin (Romans 6:23). • Prophetic Fulfillment In Isaiah 53:7, the Servant is “led like a lamb to the slaughter,” pointing to the Messiah’s sacrificial role. Revelation’s depiction of Jesus as the Lamb “slain” but alive in glory fulfills these prophecies in a dynamic, triumphant setting. • Divine Worthiness Only the Lamb is worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:9), demonstrating both His unique role in redemption and His divine authority. This worthiness arises precisely because He is fully God and fully man, having conquered death by His sacrifice and resurrection. 6. Philosophical and Theological Coherence A central philosophical concern is how one Being can appear to receive something from Himself. The Trinitarian model resolves this concern: • Distinguishing Person and Essence The Father and the Son share the same divine essence but retain personal distinction. Thus, the Son (as the Lamb) can receive the scroll from the Father without violating His co-divinity. This aligns with John 1:1–2, which presents the Word (the Son) as both with God and being God. • Illustration of Position and Role Revelation’s throne room vision symbolizes the Lamb’s rightful assumption of authority over creation and redemption. This “receiving of the scroll” visually demonstrates His historical work as the sacrifice for sin (Acts 4:12), and His essential divinity in the Father’s plan. 7. Harmonizing with the Remainder of Scripture All Scripture “is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), and the Bible consistently emphasizes Christ’s deity: • John 8:58 – Christ says, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” affirming His eternal nature. • Colossians 2:9 – “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.” • Hebrews 1:8 – The Father addresses the Son as “O God,” confirming the Son’s divine status. Combining these texts clarifies that Jesus’ receipt of the scroll from the Father’s hand in Revelation 5 perfectly fits the larger biblical witness to the Father-Son relationship and their shared divine nature. 8. Illustrations from Doctrine and Early Christian Writings Early church councils (e.g., Council of Nicaea, A.D. 325) formulated confessions that Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light,” reflecting precisely what is displayed in Revelation 5. Writings from early centuries (e.g., Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus) already testify to Christ’s deity as consistent with biblical teaching. These church fathers cited passages like Revelation 5 to affirm Christ’s divine authority while recognizing the Son’s distinction from the Father. 9. Practical Implications and Applicability For believers and seekers alike, Revelation 5 offers hope. Jesus, as the Lamb, is worthy to take the scroll—meaning He holds ultimate authority over the unfolding of human history. Yet He is also the sacrificial Lamb, the Redeemer of those who trust in Him (John 1:29). From a behavioral and philosophical standpoint, this unity and distinction in the Triune God invite meaningful worship. The text underscores Christ’s role in redemption as well as His supreme kingship. Individuals who grasp this truth can draw comfort and assurance from knowing that the Lord who was slain is also the sovereign Ruler of all. 10. Summary of Key Points 1. Revelation’s Setting: The Lamb receiving the scroll illuminates the Son’s redemptive worthiness and divine authority. 2. Trinitarian Understanding: One God in three Persons, allowing a distinction of persons while maintaining oneness of essence. 3. Manuscript Consistency: Early textual witnesses confirm this portrayal of the Lamb and the One on the throne as fully harmonious. 4. Old Testament Foreshadowing: The Lamb language and sacrificial motifs connect to prophetic and Passover imagery. 5. Philosophical Foundation: Distinction of Person and unity of essence resolves the concern of how the Son can receive from the Father while being fully divine. 6. Biblical Coherence: Other Scriptures affirm Christ’s eternal deity, supporting the Revelation 5 portrayal. 7. Historical Testimony: Early church fathers and councils recognized Revelation’s teaching, affirming Christ’s consubstantiality with the Father. 8. Worship and Devotion: Recognizing Christ as both Lamb and enthroned God leads to humble adoration and confidence in His salvific power. Conclusion Jesus is the Lamb who receives the scroll, symbolizing His earned right by virtue of His sacrificial death and resurrection. Simultaneously, as fully God, He shares the eternal throne with the Father. The Son’s role as receiver of the scroll is rooted in Trinitarian unity: distinct Person, identical Divine essence. Within the flow of biblical prophecy, manuscript integrity, and theological testimony, Revelation 5:7 stands as a powerful reminder that the resurrected Lamb—both slain and glorious—reigns co-equally with the Father for all eternity. |
    |