The following passage in Revelation 5 discloses a picture of Jesus that was not evident while He was on Earth. The contrast between the Heavenly picture and the Earthly picture of Jesus gives us some insight into another aspect of His sacrifice. The Revelation passage is provided below, and then I list a chart showing the contrast between the Heavenly and Earthly pictures of Jesus. For more information on how Jesus humbled Himself on Earth, see my article, Christ Humbled Himself. (I also write about Jesus lowly birth in the post, Jesus Birth Prophesies. In that article, I give an additional reason He was not esteemed while on Earth.)
Context of the Passage
The scene in Revelation 5 that the Apostle John records for us is other-worldly. While exiled to the island of Patmos, John records a vision of things to come. After the message to the 7 churches in the first 3 chapters of Revelation, John is invited to heaven and ‘in the Spirit’ sees the following view of heaven.
Revelation 5
1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look into it. 4 And I began to weep greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it; 5 and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” 6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came, and He took it out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
11 And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,
“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”
14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.
Comparison: Jesus in Heaven (Rev 5) and Jesus on Earth (various)
| Heaven | Earth |
|---|---|
| The lion of Judah v5 | Humbled and meek (Matthew 11:29)1 |
| The only one worthy to open the book v3 | Not esteemed (John 1:10, 11)2 |
| Lamb that was slain v6 7 horns, 7 eyes, which are the 7 spirits of God Standing between God and Man (the elders) v6 | Appearance as man (Philippians 2:8)3 |
| Was glorified v9 | Did not glorify Himself (Philippians 2:7)4 |
| No reason to weep, Jesus overcame v5 | Sorrow and grief (Isaiah 53:3)5 |
| He has overcome v5 | Obedient unto death (John 10:17, 18)6 |
| Purchased men with His blood v9 Receives power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing v12 blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever v13 | Was crucified (Luke 23:33)7 |
| Has authority v7 | Bond-servant (Matthew 20:28)8 |
| He has authority to make us a kingdom and priests to our God; and will reign upon the earth v10 | His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36)9 |
Conclusion
The contrast is quite stark between Jesus’ time on Earth and the view we have of Him in Heaven in Revelation 5. When we see Him as He truly is, it helps us honor and glorify Him now while we are on Earth. He is the one who is worthy and has overcome so as to open the book and its seals. With His blood, He purchased us for God and made us a kingdom and priests to God. “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” Amen.
1 Matthew 11:29 “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.”
2 John 1:10, 11 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
3 Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
4 Philippians 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
5 Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
6 John 10:17, 18 “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
7 Luke 23:33 And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
8 Matthew 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
9 John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”