In Revelation Animals Can Have A Symbolic Function. Which One Of These Animals Appears As A Symbol?

When we read virtually the dragon, the beast, the vials, the trumpets, and and so along, we need to practise then within the context of the work and mission of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

All images from Getty Images, except as noted; illustration of Christ with lamb by Justin Kunz

The book of Revelation is certainly 1 of the more daunting books of scripture in our canon. Before they have even finished the opening chapter, readers encounter a blur of cities with strange names, stars and candlesticks, and a mysterious figure variously identified as "the Son of man" (verse 13), "the get-go and the last" (poetry xi), and "Alpha and Omega" (poesy viii), out of whose mouth appears "a sharp twoedged sword" (poetry sixteen).

Past the time readers cross the terminate line of John'south vision 21 chapters later, they will have encountered—among other things—colored horses, a terrifying dragon, beasts from both the country and the sea, and scores of angels bravado trumpets and elimination vials upon the people of the world.

Readers of the book of Revelation tin can come abroad anxious and fearful every bit they discern between both the literal and figurative depictions of what awaits those who live in the terminal days prior to the Lord's Second Coming.

The Key to John's Revelation: Jesus Christ

It is understandably easy to get defenseless up in the supernatural frenzy that runs through then much of John's vision. After all, all of these symbols (wings, horns, eyes) and numbers (3½, vi, vii, 12, 144,000) beckon the reader to "crack the code" and decipher mysterious secrets hidden within John'south lengthy vision. Nonetheless, to read the text of the book of Revelation every bit a sort of intricate puzzle that must be solved risks going beyond the mark and missing the vision'southward fundamental message. Later on all, Joseph Smith once said that "the book of Revelation is 1 of the plainest books God always caused to exist written."¹

A simple "cardinal" that readers tin apply to understand the book of Revelation comes in the get-go five words of John's record: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" (ane:ane). When we read about the dragon, the creature, the vials, the trumpets, and then forth, we need to do so within the context of the work and mission of our Savior, Jesus Christ. All that comes later poesy 1 needs to be read through the lens of "What does this tell me about Jesus?" This listen-set actually goes to the center of what the term revelation in the title means. In the original Greek, the word for "revelation" is apocalypsis, from which we go our give-and-take apocalypse. But unlike the modern apply of apocalypse to refer to the end of the earth, apocalypsis ways "to unveil something that is subconscious." What John's vision serves to do, then, is to "unveil" Jesus Christ—to reveal his true nature, grapheme, and mission.

Thus the volume of Revelation is a vision that gradually "unveils" elements of the Savior and His atoning mission through the utilize of diverse images and symbols. One of the most important of these is the paradigm of Jesus every bit a "Lamb," a symbol that appears nearly the beginning of John's vision and is a continual presence (although not always in the foreground) throughout. Past the time John reaches the climactic cease of his vision, the true nature and character of the Lamb will be revealed.

Revelation five: Jesus as the "Conquering Lamb"

What can nosotros acquire from Revelation 5, where Christ is represented by both a lion and a lamb?

Analogy of lamb by Justin Kunz

One of the almost vivid of these unveilings comes in Revelation 5. Here John stands before the throne of God. The Father, sitting on the throne, holds a sealed book (really a scroll) in His right hand, and a "strong angel" asks the question, "Who is worthy to open up the book?"—that is, suspension the seals (poetry two). John weeps as he beholds that no person is plant worthy to open up and read the volume (see verse 4).

John is informed by one of the elders that "the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the volume, and to loose the 7 seals thereof" (verse 5). Nonetheless when John finally sees this "Lion," it is no panthera leo at all. Rather, what John sees is a "Lamb as it had been slain," who approaches the throne and takes the book from the Begetter.

Those gathered round the throne begin to sing praises to the Lamb:

"Thou art worthy to accept the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed u.s. to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

"And hast made usa unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the world" (verses nine–10).

Some run into in this episode Jesus accepting the divine role of Savior in a premortal setting, while others understand it every bit Jesus returning to the presence of the Male parent following His sojourn in mortality.

What fascinates me every bit a reader of the book of Revelation is the paradox used to stand for Jesus as two contrary animals, a king of beasts and a lamb. It is hard to think of two more different animals to pair together. Lions represent forcefulness and regality, and they had a detail connection with the tribe of Judah (see Genesis 49:ix; ane Kings ten:19–xx), from which it was prophesied the Messiah Himself would descend. A lamb, on the other hand, is an animate being ofttimes associated with docility and meekness, in every way the antithesis of the lion. Equally if to emphasize the meekness of the Lamb even farther, this particular Lamb is slain, or sacrificed, and it is the shedding of the blood of the Lamb that sets in movement the events that John will view side by side.

Revelation 5, with its images of Jesus as both a "Panthera leo" and a "Lamb," presents its readers with a riddle of sorts: Tin victory be obtained through submission? Can one conquer through meekness? Can life be obtained through death? John's vision will be, in large part, an endeavour to provide answers to these riddles.

Revelation 7: Jesus every bit the "Redemptive Lamb"

In Revelation 7, the scene shifts to a grouping of 144,000 (12,000 from each tribe of Israel) who are "sealed" in their foreheads. In conjunction with this scene, John besides sees a crowd of people, and then many that "no man could number" them (verse ix). This group, clothed in white, stands before the Lamb and collectively praises the Lamb. John is then told that these people stand for those "which came out of keen tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the claret of the Lamb" (verse xiv). Hither in Revelation 7 John learns that the blood of the Lamb plays a further important function—namely, to cleanse the innumerable host who stand before the Lamb.

John'due south vision again presents its readers with a riddle. When blood touches clothing, the blood typically stains it. An article of clothing that is "done" in claret should turn blood-red. Just, in this example, the claret of the Lamb turns a stained article of clothing white, signifying the redemptive ability of the Lamb. This serves as an inspiring and hopeful symbol of Jesus's Atonement; He is able to take those who apologize and transform them into something that they never could be on their own.

The claret of the Lamb cleanses the innumerable host, symbolizing how our Savior's Amende tin cleanse those who repent.

Illustration of Christ with crown of thorns by Justin Kunz

Revelation 13: Jesus and the "Parodied Lamb"

In Revelation 12, John sees a dragon cast out from sky. The dragon, he learns, is "that old snake, called the Devil, and Satan" (poesy 9). In the next chapter, John learns that this dragon is associated with ii beasts, one from the sea and one from the earth (see xiii:1, xi). John describes the kickoff beast in terms that are eerily similar to the conquering and redemptive Lamb that John has witnessed thus far:

"And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were equally the feet of a bear, and his oral cavity as the mouth of a panthera leo: and the dragon gave him his ability, and his seat, and nifty authority.

"And I saw one of his heads equally it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the animate being.

"And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast" (verses two–four).

What John witnesses here is a parody or counterfeit of the true Lamb. Like the true Lamb, this beast was critically wounded and should be expressionless yet isn't, and like the true Lamb who serves at the behest of God sitting upon His throne, this animal serves the dragon.

With this scene, John's vision warns readers that they have reached a crisis of decision—each of united states must choose which being, the fauna or the Lamb, we volition align ourselves with. The antagonist is quite skillful at taking truth and reconstructing it in a way that serves his needs while however appearing to be true. But by a shut examination, but through additional witnesses, tin we be confident that we take chosen wisely.

Revelation nineteen–22: Jesus as the "Divine Lamb"

In Revelation 19, the scene shifts over again to a big hymeneals banquet, celebrating the marriage of the Lamb to His helpmate, "arrayed in fine linen, make clean and white" (poetry viii). It is from this scene that the true nature of the Lamb is finally fabricated known, as John witnesses "heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and Truthful" (verse eleven). The Savior, at present fully revealed equally "Male monarch of Kings, and Lord of Lords" (verse 16), falls upon the fauna, slaying its followers with the "sword" that "proceeded out of his mouth"—the word of God (poesy 21). Evil is conquered, and the New Jerusalem is established upon the "new," celestial world (encounter 21:i–2). In the midst of this scene rests "the throne of God and of the Lamb" (22:3).

For a nighttime and at times horrifying vision, the book of Revelation ends with one of the nigh cute and poignant images in all of scripture:

"I am Alpha and Omega, the commencement and the end. I volition give unto him that is famishing of the fountain of the water of life freely.

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall exist my son" (21:6–7).

Choosing to Follow the Lamb

While the book of Revelation tin feel intimidating and appear dark and foreboding, with its cluttered imagery and intense scenes of violence, focusing on the Lamb allows us to go on John's central theme front and eye—this is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." What is revealed is Jesus's cede, His patience, and His love for each of us, that we are all "lambs" seeking our shepherd.

John's vision reminds the states that the stakes are as loftier as they can exist and that the twenty-four hours when we must, in Joshua'southward words, "choose you this twenty-four hour period whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:15) is here. Volition we choose the Lamb, who has given united states everything, or volition we cull the dragon, who seeks only to make usa as miserable as he is? (see 2 Nephi ii:27). The option may seem, at commencement glance, a hard one, as the world can be an alluring loonshit. But the ultimate bulletin of Revelation, the one that John desires that we recall long after we finish his record, is simply this: Jesus wins!

Source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2019/12/the-book-of-revelation-a-testament-to-the-lamb-of-god?lang=eng

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