December 15

"The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them." Revelation 7:17.

THE Lamb. This is an appellation given the Lord Jesus for two reasons: the one alluding to his personal qualities, such as purity, innocency, gentleness, meekness, patience—for he was led as a lamb to the slaughter; the other, in reference to the design of his death. Abel offered to God a firstling of the flock. Familiar with the use of such a victim, Isaac asked, "Where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?" Under the law, a lamb was offered every morning and every evening; and on the Sabbath-day, two were offered in the morning, and two in the evening. There was also the paschal lamb, whose blood was sprinkled, and whose flesh was eaten at the deliverance of the Jews from the destroying angel. And "Christ, our passover," says Paul, "is sacrificed for us." And John cried, "Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!" And it is worthy of our observation, that the name is applied to him not only in his abasement, but in his exaltation; and that no less than twenty-eight times he is called the Lamb in this book of the Revelation.

His glory is much spoken of in the Scripture, but never in stronger language than here: "The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne"—a station of dignity, dominion, government, full supremacy. Surely, if the sacred writers intended to intimate that he was a mere creature only, they have expressed themselves in a manner very unguarded and ensnaring. Well, there he is, not only near the throne, but in it, and in the midst of it, in spite of all opposition. Let his enemies tremble, and beware. They may make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them, for he is King of kings and Lord of lords. But let his followers boldly profess him. Why should they be ashamed of a leader that is in the midst of the throne; and why do they not rejoice in his salvation? Surely they must, if they love him; for love always exults in the prosperity of its object. Surely every feeling of their heart must prompt the desire; "and blessed be his glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory." Well, there he is, in the possession of all power in heaven and in earth; able to save them, to preserve them, to make all things work together for their good.

And as is his greatness, so is his condescension and kindness. The Lamb that is in the midst of the throne "shall feed them." The imagery is pastoral. His people are held forth as sheep, and he performs the office of a shepherd. His concern with them begins here. He seeks after them when lost. He brings them to his fold. He furnishes them with supplies. They can rely on the extensiveness of his care, and the continuance of it, and may individually say, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

"While he affords his aid,

I cannot yield to fear:

Though I should walk through Death's dark shade.

My Shepherd's with me there."

Nor is this all. When they shall come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb; when they shall be before the throne, and serve him day and night in his temple, then, even then he shall feed them—not, as now, by ministers and ordinances, but immediately; not, as now, in the wilderness, but in the heavenly Canaan; not, as now, surrounded with enemies, but where all shall be quietness and assurance for ever. The Lamb shall feed them. He shall be the dispenser and the source of their happiness. It will flow from his presence and communications. Therefore Paul desired to depart, to be with Christ, which was far better. "He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat: FOR the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

This is the representation of heaven which poor Burns says he could never read from a child without tears. Oh, let me not admire the description only, but seek after the enjoyment of the blessedness. The language is pathetic, and the scenery is inviting; but is the subject itself more interesting than either? I must be made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. I cannot hope to attain hereafter what I do not desire and delight in now. A natural man may long for a heaven of release from toil and pain. Do I. O my soul, prize a heaven of which Christ is all in all?