THE SEVEN HORNS OF THE LAMB
THE SEVEN HORNS OF THE LAMB
Rev. 5:6
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Rev. 5:6: “And I beheld, and, lo in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into the earth.”
Beginning in verse one of Revelation 5, the apostle is given a vision of a book in the right hand of God sealed with seven seals. That God is holding the book in His right hand denotes the governmental authority of the book. A strong angel cries, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals”? This angel seems to come out as a champion, with a challenge to any or all the creatures to try the strength of their wisdom in opening the counsels of God. None in heaven or earth could accept the challenge and undertake the task. None under the earth; none of the fallen angels; even Satan himself, with all his subtlety, cannot do it; the creatures cannot open it, nor look on it. They cannot read it. God only can do it.
The apostle wept much because no man was worthy. However, one of the elders (the Church) said to John, “Do not weep, behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (according to the human nature), the Root of David (according to his divine nature and the Davidic Covenant), has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Christ’s victory on the cross, although at the time it seemed to be defeat, guaranteed the accomplishment of God’s purpose on earth. “He saw a Lamb looking as if it had been slain”. The conqueror announced as a lion to conquer Satan now appears as a lamb to satisfy the justice of God. He appears as a lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes, perfect power to execute all the will of God and perfect wisdom to understand it all. For he has the seven Spirits of God; He has received the Holy Spirit without measure.
In John 1:4, the apostle states that he is given the revelation by the seven Spirits of God which are before the throne of God. Then in chapter 4:5: “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices; and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”
Isaiah 11:1-2: “There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots; and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of (1) Wisdom, (2) Understanding, (3) Counsel, (4) Might, (5) Knowledge, (6) Godliness, (7) and the Spirit of the fear of God.
Lines in the Veni Creator: “Thou the anointing Spirit art, who does your sevenfold gift impart.”
It is not my purpose today to do an extensive teaching on the seven fold Spirit of the Lord, but to explore the power of the seven horns of the Lamb. Keith Miller has an excellent teaching and books on the School of the Seven Fold Spirit of the Lord.
The word clearly states the Lamb has seven eyes and seven horns which (together) are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Horns throughout the Holy Writ are metaphorical of strength, power and courage. Horns are either from an ox or a ram.
- REDEMPTION AND SUBSITITUTION: The first mention of horn in the Holy Bible is in Genesis 22:13. “Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son.” God will provide himself a Lamb. Christ was sacrificed in our stead, as this ram instead of Isaac, and his death was our redemption.
- MERCY: Ex. 37:26: “He overlaid it with pure gold, both the top of it, and the sides thereof were of the same and he overlaid it with brass.”
(a) Four Horns of the Altar---Propitiation, Substitution, Ransom, Mercy and Reconciliation.
(b) The horns pointed upward (Resurrection) up-reach unto God), and outward (outreach unto Man).
(c) The horns were one with the Altar—there is saving power for man only in union with Christ’s atonement at the Cross.
(d) The Horns were blood-stained---power in the Blood (Exodus 29:12; Lev. 4:18).
(e) The horns secured the sacrifices---Jesus was bound to the Cross (place of crucifixion) by cords of love (Ps. 118:276; 49: 6-8; 11 Cor. 5:14).
(f) (1 Kings 1:50) “Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went and caught hold of the horns of the altar.” However, Solomon was not deceived, and had Adonijah killed. David laid hold of the horns of the altar and received mercy.
(g) The horns meant death to the singing hypocrite Joab (1 Kg. 2: 28-34).
(h) Judgment of the sixth angel---Rev. 9:13: “And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates…”
Exod. 30:3: “You shall overlay it (the altar) with pure gold, the top, and the sides, and the horns; and you shall make unto it a crown of gold round about.
Do not doubt if I get in trouble and need mercy, I know how to lay hold of the horns of the altar. (Smile)
3. PUSH: Exodus 21:29 and is referring to the “push of an ox”. In Deuteronomy 33:17, we read of the “Push” of the Lord. This chapter opens with the manifestation of the Glory of the Lord and closes with the future glory and joy of Israel. Joseph, who is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ is given the blessing of horns: “His glory is like the firstling of his bullock and his horns are like the horns of unicorns (wild bulls which are now extinct) with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth; and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim and they are the thousands of Manasseh.” The ends of the earth here refers to the end of time.
- VICTORY: Joshua 6:4: “And seven priests shall bear the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns; and the seventh day you shall circle the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets…(Vs20)…it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.”
- ANNOINTING: 1 Samuel 16:1-13: “The Lord said unto Samuel how long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel fill your horn with oil, and go, I will send you to Jesse of Bethlehem for I have provided me a king among his sons… (Vs. 13) Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brethren and the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward…”
- DELIVERANCE FROM OUR ENEMIES: (2 Samuel 22): David sang unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from all his enemies out of the hands of Saul. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust; He is my shield; and the horn of my salvation; my high tower; and my refuge; my Savior; you saved me from violence. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. When the waves of death compassed me; the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; the sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; in my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God; and he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was angry. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured; coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet. He rode upon a cherub, and did fly; and he was seen upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies. Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled. The Lord thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. He sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning and discomfited them, and the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils…He delivered me from my strong enemy…” That which David saw in his vision is the same power of the Holy Spirit described by John in Revelation 4:5 “… Out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices...”
- SALVATION: “Zechariah prophesied after John was born. Luke 1:68-69: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed his people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spoke by the prophets, which have been since the world began; that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our father and to remember his holy covenant.”
CHURCH: Mic. 4:13: “Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; for I will make your horn iron, and I will make the hoofs brass, and you shall beat in pieces many people; and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.”
This is referring to Jerusalem under attack when many nations will be gathered against Israel. 4: 11-12: “Now also many nations are gathered against you that say, let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; neither do they understand his counsel; for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.”
It will be the Lord’s people who triumph. He will make them invincible with horns of iron and hoofs of bronze. Their victory, however, will not be an occasion for self-congratulations, but for giving thanks unto the Lord of the earth to whom they will devote their spoils.
2 Sam. 2:10: “The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them; the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth and he shall give strength unto his king and exalt the horn of his anointed."
This past week our nation has suffered the worst tornadoes in our history at the same time as Benjamin Netanyahu is here to meet with the President over the threats being made to Israel by Iran.
The Seven Spirits of God, Wisdom, Understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, Godliness, and the spirit of the fear of God have been sent forth into all the earth. The Lamb took the book out of the right hand (authority) of God. When he took the book, the church breaks forth into praise and worship. They fall down and worship him in profound adoration. They sung a new song, saying you are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals, for you were slain and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and have made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth.
EXALTATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS: Psa. 75:10: “All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.”
Psa. 148:14: “He exalts the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints, even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise you the Lord.!!!
Psa. 132:17: “There will I make the horn of David to bud; I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.”
The doxology is then carried on by the angels. They are said to be innumerable, and to be the attendants on the throne of God. They agree with the church that he is worthy to receive:
- Power
- Riches
- Wisdom
- Strength
- Honor
- Glory
- Blessing
We might also conclude that these seven are the seven horns of the Lamb.
Heaven and earth ring with the high praises of the Redeemer.
Rev. 5:13: “Every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing and honor, and glory, and power be unto him that sits upon the throne, and unto the lamb for ever and ever.”
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
Scripture from K.J.V; References: Matthew Henry’s Commentary; The Tabernacle of Moses by Kelly Varner; F. F. Bruce Bible Commentary.