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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Revelation 5:6 - 5:6
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
I beheld, and, lo - One oldest manuscript, A, omits “and, lo.” Another, B, Cyprian, etc., support, “and, lo,” but omit, “and I beheld.”
in the midst of the throne - that is, not on the throne (compare Rev 5:7), but in the midst of the company (Rev 4:4) which was “round about the throne.”
Lamb - Greek, “arnion”; always found in Revelation exclusively, except in Joh 21:15 alone: it expresses endearment, namely, the endearing relation in which Christ now stands to us, as the consequence of His previous relation as the sacrificial Lamb. So also our relation to Him: He the precious Lamb, we His dear lambs, one with Him. Bengel thinks there is in Greek, “arnion,” the idea of taking the lead of the flock. Another object of the form Greek, “arnion,” the Lamb, is to put Him in the more marked contrast to Greek, “therion,” the Beast. Elsewhere Greek, “amnos,” is found, applying to Him as the paschal, sacrificial Lamb (Isa 53:7, Septuagint; Joh 1:29, Joh 1:36; Act 8:32; 1Pe 1:19).
as it had been slain - bearing marks of His past death wounds. He was standing, though bearing the marks of one slain. In the midst of heavenly glory Christ crucified is still the prominent object.
seven horns - that is, perfect might, “seven” symbolizing perfection; “horns,” might, in contrast to the horns of the Antichristian world powers, Rev 17:3; etc.; Dan 7:7, Dan 7:20; Dan 8:3.
seven eyes ... the seven Spirits ... sent forth - So one oldest manuscript, A. But B reads, “being sent forth.” As the seven lamps before the throne represent the Spirit of God immanent in the Godhead, so the seven eyes of the Lamb represent the same sevenfold Spirit profluent from the incarnate Redeemer in His world-wide energy. The Greek for “sent forth,” apostellomena, or else apestalmenoi, is akin to the term “apostle,” reminding us of the Spirit-impelled labors of Christ’s apostles and minister throughout the world: if the present tense be read, as seems best, the idea will be that of those labors continually going on unto the end. “Eyes” symbolize His all-watchful and wise providence for His Church, and against her foes.