What does Revelation 5:12 mean?

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

Explanation

Revelation 5:12 captures a moment of heavenly worship, focusing on the figure of the Lamb, which is a title for Jesus Christ in Christian theology. The verse comes from a vision received by John, the author of Revelation. In this vision, angels and other creatures in heaven proclaim the Lamb worthy to receive seven attributes: power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing. The use of the number seven signifies completeness and perfection in the biblical context.

This praise acknowledges the sacrificial death of Jesus (the Lamb who was slain) and celebrates His triumph over death. The verse conveys the idea that Jesus, through His sacrificial death, has redeemed humanity and thus is deserving of ultimate honor and authority in the cosmos. The passage exemplifies the belief in Christ’s divine sovereignty and redemptive power.

Historical Context

Revelation, the last book in the New Testament, is categorized as apocalyptic literature, a genre commonly involving visions, symbolism, and the revelation of divine mysteries. It is traditionally believed to have been written by John of Patmos, around 95 A.D., a time when Christians were undergoing persecution under the Roman Empire.

This particular scene is set in a heavenly throne room where a scroll with seven seals is presented, and a search ensues for one worthy to open it. The Lamb is the only one found suitable to break the seals, representing the unfolding of divine providence in history. John’s audience would have understood the imagery of the slain Lamb as a direct reference to Jesus’ sacrificial death, which mirrored the Jewish tradition of animal sacrifice for atonement.

Theological Insights

Revelation 5:12 is a rich source for theological insights across various Christian traditions. The reference to “the Lamb” builds on the Jewish Passover tradition where a lamb’s blood saved Israelites from the angel of death. In Christian theology, this prefigures Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb whose blood rescues humanity from sin.

In Catholic and Orthodox theology, this verse emphasizes Christ’s dual nature as both divine and human, capable of bridging the gap between God and humanity through His sacrificial death.

Protestant theologians might point to this as a confirmation of Jesus’ supremacy and the foundational belief in sola Christus, meaning “Christ alone” is sufficient for salvation.

The concept of “the Lamb that was slain” resonates with the theme of atonement and reconciliation with God, prevalent in various Christian doctrines.

Practical Applications

Revelation 5:12 can inspire several practical applications in daily life:

1. A call to worship: Believers are encouraged to respond to Jesus’ sacrifice with their own offering of praise and worship.
2. Humility: Recognizing the ultimate authority and humility of Jesus in His sacrifice can foster humility in individuals.
3. Service: The verse can motivate a commitment to serve others, reflecting the sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated.
4. Gratitude: The acknowledgment of Jesus’ attributes can lead to a daily practice of gratitude for the salvation He provides.

Cross-References

Here are some related verses:

• Philippians 2:9-11: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:”
• Revelation 4:11: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
• Revelation 7:12: “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”
• John 1:29: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

Language Study

In the original Greek, significant words to examine include:

• Lamb (Ἀρνίον, Arnion): This term is unique to Revelation for its emphasis on the sacrificial aspect of Jesus’ role.
• Slain (ἐσφαγμένον, Esphagmenon): This participle is derived from the verb to slaughter, indicating a violent death.
• Worthy (ἄξιον, Axion): This word implies deserving or fitting, denoting the Lamb’s suitability to receive honor and open the seals.

The seven attributes listed are nouns that express the manifold perfections that belong to the Lamb. Each word carries a broader semantic range in its original language but in this context, they pertain to divine attributes being ascribed to Jesus.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The sacrificial lamb motif in Revelation is not unique to Christianity and can be compared to various sacrificial traditions in ancient cultures, like the Egyptians, Greeks, and others who performed animal sacrifices to appease gods or seek favor.

The imagery of a divine figure dying and rising again draws parallels with certain myths in ancient religions, such as the Egyptian Osiris or the Greco-Roman myth of Persephone, alluding to themes of life, death, and rebirth.

However, in the Christian context, the symbolism of the Lamb is distinctly tied to notions of atonement and salvation rather than cyclical natural phenomena or appeasement of deities.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives may not directly interact with the symbolic and theological content of Revelation 5:12. However, understanding ancient texts requires recognizing the prescientific worldview that shaped them. Science can offer insights into the historical and environmental conditions of the time, which may contribute to a better understanding of the symbolic language used in the text.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians provide commentaries on Revelation 5:12:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary: Reflects on the completeness of the praise given to the Lamb and how all creation is involved in this act of worship.

• The New International Commentary on the New Testament: This commentary delves into the representation of Christ as the Lamb and His universal authority and rule.

• The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: John MacArthur emphasizes the atoning death of Jesus and sees this passage as a celebration of Christ’s ultimate victory and reward.

Each commentary offers a unique perspective and contributes to a richer understanding of this verse’s implications within Christian theology and practice.