"THE
WRATH OF THE LAMB"
A Gospel Presentation, Based upon the Revelation of the Apostle John 6:16
Presented to Dr. C. Berry Driver, Jr.
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Fort Worth, Texas
February 25, 2002
When we think of a lamb, we think of one of the most gentle, harmless, meek, and patient creatures in God's creation. A
lamb is a creature which excites our tenderness. To be afraid of a lamb is a thing never heard of. It has no means of defending
itself when attacked; no disposition to revenge itself upon those who would injure it.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is called a lamb, to show his meekness and patience under suffering: "He is brought as a lamb to
the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He does not open His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). It is true, that
a lamb is fearful and helpless, whereas Jesus is strong and mighty. All power in heaven and earth is His: "He is King of kings,
and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16).
Still, when we think of Jesus us a lamb, we remember how He emptied himself of all this power and majesty, when He took
our nature upon him. We think of one who was "meek and lowly in heart." We remember all the kind and loving words which He
said to poor sinners when He was upon earth. We think of the cruel treatment He received, the unkind words which were spoken
against Him, and the hard thoughts which so many had of him, and the evil names they gave him, and how gently lie replied,
and how patiently He bore all; and how lie answered not word when his enemies accused him, though He might have struck their
lying lips dumb; and when they buffeted him, and fixed Him with nails to the accursed tree. He might have destroyed them in
a moment, for He had power to do it. And then, when we think of Jesus as a lamb, we call to mind his tenderness, and longsuffering,
and love; and how that love is shown now, even towards those who slight him, and despise him. Hear his own gracious and loving
words: "Come unto me, all of you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest; "he that comes unto me, I will
in no way cast out." (The Gospel of Matthew 11:28; The Gospel of John 6: 37).
Jesus Christ is also represented as a lamb in another and a very important respect. Before He came into the world, He was
set forth by God Himself, in sacrifices; that is, animals appointed to be slain and offered up, to represent His great sacrifice
of Himself, when He was offered in the sinner's stead, to die upon the cross.
Among these sacrifices, a lamb was the animal most frequently offered. It was probably a lamb which Abel offered to God
(Genesis 4:4). It was a lamb which the children of Israel were commanded to kill, and whose blood they were to sprinkle upon
their doorposts, so that the angel who was commanded to destroy the firstborn of the Egyptians, might pass over them, Exodus
12:1-13. A lamb was ordained to be offered, morning and evening, from the time of Moses until the death of Christ (Numbers
28:3, 4), when all sacrifices ceased.
And it was in reference to this that John the Baptist pointed to Jesus, when He first appeared among men, saying, "Behold
the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world" (The Gospel of John 1:29). What, then, can these words mean: "THE WRATH
OF THE LAMB ?" It is indeed an awful expression! O that the reader, whoever he or she may be, would give heed to it!
Will you read to the Gospel of Mark 15:31, and the Gospel of Luke 23:35? In these texts you will see Jesus hanging on the
cross. His enemies scoffed at Him, saying, "He saved others, Himself He cannot save." There was this Lamb of God -- nailed
to the cross; as Man, perfectly helpless in the hands of His enemies; and in this helpless state He continued, until "He bowed
His head, and
gave up the ghost." Yet why could He not save Himself? There is a wondrous reason! That He might save us! As our Surety,
He had undertaken the great work of loveto die for the salvation of sinners -- and He would not turn back from it till He
could say, "It is finished."
Now turn to the passage whence the title of this paper is taken, Revelation 6:16. Here you read of "the wrath of the Lamb."
In that day all His patience and gentleness will be swallowed up in wrath, tremendous and eternal. His helpless condition
will have passed away; His wrath will be clothed with Almighty power -- so that "all the kings of the earth, and the great
men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, shall hide themselves
in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and shall say to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from
the face of Him Who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb!" For the great day of His wrath is come, and who shall
be able to stand?" Yes, fellow sinner, there is the "day of the wrath of the Lamb." You shall see Him in that day, for "every
eye shall see Him"( Revelation 1:7); but shall you be able to stand? Turn also to 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 and read that "the
Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence
of the Lord, and from the glory of His power."
Now, if you are unconverted, or, in other words, if you have not beheld the Lamb of God by faith, so as to be saved by
Him, here in this passage which you have just read is your character drawn to the life: "You know not God, and, obey not the
Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Is it not time, then, to come to a point? Perhaps you may cast your eye over this paper, as you have done over like appeals,
or over the pages of your Bible and lay it down, and think no more of it. Or, perhaps, it may produce a serious thought or
two; and you will, as you may have often done before, determine to be more religious. And yet, before tomorrow comes, your
"goodness, like the early dew, will have passed away." Nothing but the real Gospel, believed, loved, obeyed, through the power
of the Holy Spirit, will turn your heart fully to God and to heaven.
This message of eternal life (only through Jesus Christ the Lord) directs you therefore to this Lamb of God. This Lamb,
once a sacrifice, is now an Intercessor. He stands "in the midst of the throne, as He had been slain" (Revelation 5:6), pointing,
as it were, to His wounds pleading His sacrifice, in the very presence of Godour Propitiation (satisfying Gods justice, Whose
Law points out our sins to us), our Mediator (Who represents us before our Heavenly Father as our High Priest), and our Advocate
(the One who stands along side us to help us in our weaknesses).
But, should you go on trifling with His love, neglecting His salvation, the accepted time, the day of salvation," will
have passed away. You will then hear only of "the wrath of the Lamb." His blood will plead no longer. "For if we sin willfully
after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking
for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries" (Paul the Apostle's Letter to the Hebrews 10:26,
27).
It will not be the Lamb in the midst of the throne of mercy, but the Judge on "the great white throne," from whose face
earth and heaven will flee away, and there will be found no place for them, Rev. 20:11 and "who shall be able to stand ?"
You must turn to Him, cleaving only unto Him and forsaking your own ways of self reliance. You must also put away from
yourself any known sins that hinder your fellowship with God. Call out to Him for deliverance by praying directly to Him,
"for all who call unto Him shall be delivered." Ask Him to forgive you, to pardon you for your sins. Then, seek out a local
church where the Bible is preached with authority and become a local member of Gods eternal family. Seek to be baptized as
a new convert, and nourish yourself in the Scriptures.
Contact me personally, if you have any questions about this "good news" message:
Patrick G. Patton
3421 Heils Strasse
Darmstadt, Germany
Tel. 631-470-650-968
