Weep Not, The Lion Has Prevailed

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. - Revelation 5:5

    The scene before us is not a future heavenly ceremony to reveal someone or something which had not transpired as yet, and which was before unknown. This is the revelation of the successful work of Jesus Christ (the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world) in the particular, effectual and eternal redemption of his elect church. This is the revelation of the triune God’s eternal covenant of grace, and the Lord Jesus Christ—the surety of that covenant, and the blessings of that covenant freely bestowed upon those whose names are eternally written in the Lamb’s book of life. This is the scene from before the foundation of the world, in his incarnation, at the cross, in his resurrection, his ascension, and in his eternal glory.

    This is the Gospel message, behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed.Weep not! O, child of God, we must weep over our sin. We weep over our lost family members and our friends, but weep not, yea, rather rejoice that indeed the ransom has been paid. Our Lord has prevailed over every enemy and foe, even over sin and death, and has opened the book and declared it even so! I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Rv 1:18).

    There would be reason to weep if we must prevail or if he had failed to prevail, as the Arminians would have it. Indeed, there will be weeping in hell by those who trampled underfoot the redeeming blood of Christ, and perverted and abused the only means of God’s grace—the Gospel of particular and effectual redemption by Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. But for the child of God, he will say; thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts (Jer 15:16).