The Lion and The Lamb - Joel and Revelation 5

Jesus is described as both a Lion and a Lamb. Why would the Lord reveal Himself in such opposite terms? The fact is that the character of God encompasses many extremes that are hard for us to reconcile into one person, but it is not contradiction for Infinite God. God is Holy, and He is Love. God is Just, and He is Merciful. God is the Transcendent Creator of the Universe, and He is the Intimate Father of His children. There is no contradiction in any of these. They show us the awesome reality of God. So, what makes the difference as to how we experience Jesus? What causes Him to be a Lion to us or a Lamb to us? It depends on our hearts. If we submit to Him in repentance and faith calling on Him as Lord to forgive our sins, then He is the Lamb of God to us. If we come to Him with an independent, rebellious, and stubborn heart, then, He is the Lion to us. The reason is that God hates sin, and He will do whatever it takes to stand against sin and destroy it's influence in this world. That is what scroll with the seven seals is all about in Revelation.

The same contrast is seen in Joel. God comes as a deadly swarm of locusts or as a destroying fire to sweep away the sinful people, or He comes as the restorer in mercy when the people turn back to Him. He can withhold His Spirit or pour it out, depending on our hearts. He is in control of all of the universe all the time, and we need to submit to Him, or we will meet Him as the Angry Judge instead of the Loving Savior. Joel called for the people to fast, pray, and have a solemn assembly to cry out to God. Perhaps, we need to do that personally or even as a church, so that we enjoy God's favor on us.

Tomorrow, I intend to read Amos 1-3 and Revelation 6.