Two kinds of Lambs
Dear Beloved Brethren,
In this message, we shall be examining "TWO KINDS OF LAMBS": the
lamb upon mount Zion (Revelation 14:1-5) and the beast out of the
earth, in the shape of a lamb (Revelation 13:11). Recall that from
a heavenly viewpoint to which we were invited (Revelation 4:1), we
are able to see two sets of contrasting pictures/imageries. They set
forth two distinctive histories emerging from the same holy
beginning. The seven typical churches were to feed these two
streams according to the faithfulness or unfaithfulness of her members.
The one in faithfulness moving on approvingly under God to more and
more of His glory, and, the other in unfaithfulness, sliding down into
more and more degeneration.
The first lamb we would be discussing in this message is that
described as 'a beast out of the earth'. This beast-lamb
represents a body of persons who are members of the seven typical churches of
Revelation 2 and 3 that did not hearken to the warnings of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
In the second part of this meditation, we would be looking at the
second kind of lamb which according to Revelation 14:1 is seen
standing upon mount Zion. A reading of this verse of scripture
will show that a reference is made to other lambs in the same order. In
Revelation 14:1, John said,
"And I looked and lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him
an hundred forty and four thousand other lambs, having his Father's
name written in their foreheads".
The phrase 'other lambs' is read as included in that verse, because
we are told these persons carry the Father's name upon their
foreheads. Thus, we understand that if the principal figure,
Christ, is shown as a Lamb, then, those who are arising in His image and
likeness can also be pictured as lambs.
So, we have two kinds of lambs, representing two distinct classes
of persons who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The
characteristic difference between the two classes is related to the
matter of faithfulness or unfaithfulness.
Our specific burden is to focus on the first of these two lambs
with a view to calling us out of those things that answer to
unfaithfulness. When any believer's life is x-rayed, there would
be discovered things that are not approved in the sight of God. No
one has attained to moral and spiritual perfection. Our path to
victory, among other things, consists of rooting out of our members, things
that answer to carnality (Colossians 3:1-5). It is when a believer
is not living in response to the need to watch over his life daily
that there develops in the course of time the things shown in
Revelation 13:11-18).
In the language of prophecy, we said a beast represents a kingdom,
and, when it is shown as springing out from the earth, in contrast
to the sea, it speaks of a religious kingdom. In a sense, this
religious kingdom can simply be called Christendom. Christendom,
as generally understood is a reference to the church world. Here, it
is given the specific meaning of that arm of the church that is living
in rebellion and disobedience to Christ. It is thoroughly
organised, and on the whole has all the characteristics of a kingdom.
Christendom is set in opposition to the kingdom of Christ. The
great irony is that the world of mankind is made to see this alternate
kingdom as the kingdom of Christ. Christendom professes to be of
Christ. The orthodox visible church systems have long gone into
apostasy and in the main they pose no serious problem to the
Spirit-filled believer. There is however an arm of the alternate
kingdom that more fittingly satisfy this imagery of the beast out
of the earth. Evangelicalism and Pentecostalism in growing
unfaithfulness is this beast out of the earth at this time of the
end.
There is however a faithful house in our world receiving and
bearing the marks of Christ. The prophet Ezekiel calls it a house within a
house. The Lord commands His faithful servants to show the house
to the house (Ezekiel 43:10). Obedience to this command may be seen
as resulting to the series of messages being ministered through this
medium to His people. All has not gone altogether sour among the
Evangelical and Pentecostal assemblies. We believe that quite a
number of the Lord's people will hearken to the voice of His
command and break free from all rebellion and treachery.
Now, we said that if the beast coming out of the sea (the
unregenerate world of mankind) is political, then that which is
coming out of the earth (the saved, but earthly minded believers)
must be religious. Earth, in this context, talks of the earthly
minded among them who claim to belong to God and have Christ as
their Lord and Saviour. When a congregation of the Lord's people give
themselves over to more and more of carnality, a system of things
develop even in their religious services that agree with this
description.
The beast coming out of the earth is said to have two horns. Horns
in scriptures speak of power. In the natural, any animal having
horns develop this feature before its birth. It is an innate
characteristic. In the operations of this beast out of the earth,
the horns play a dominant role. What things in a church set-up may
answer to the symbolism of 'horns'? The Word and the Spirit are
these things. The Word has to do with the teachings that
constitute the belief system of the people. The Spirit is here used of the
powers of spiritual control at work among the people.
We are further told that although it is shaped like a lamb, it
speaks like a dragon. These church organisations have an outward carriage
that is harmless. What could be more harmless than a lamb?
Thickly set in their own ways but professing to be mouthpieces of the Lord
Jesus Christ they resist violently any sustained attempt to call
them back to the path of righteousness, truth and faithfulness. Like a
dragon, they ferociously attack servants of the truth who draw
attention to their hypocrisies, treacheries, iniquities and
rebellion. When not in that mood, they appear like a lamb. We
shall look at this bit at a more appropriate time, possibly in volume 2
of this series.
We have observed that the symbolism of a beast stands for
organisations and kingdoms. It also represents prominent persons
within such set-ups. For example, in Daniel 7:23, we are told that
the four beasts shown in Daniel 7:3 represents four kingdoms. But
in the 17th verse, it is noted that ".these great beasts, which are
four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.". So,
prominent persons in a bestial kingdom may also be regarded as
symbolic beasts.
Now, the next thing we discovered in Revelation 13 is that this
beast coming out of the earth, shaped like a lamb having two horns, but
speaking like a dragon, has power to work miracles. It
increasingly patterns its activities after the first beast (the beast from the
sea). Since the first beast is political, it means this beast from
the earth in patterning its activities after the first beast will
take on more and more secularity in its operations.
The Romanish church system is, for all intent and purpose, a
secular institution with a strong religious character. In the ancient
world, it was usual for sovereign states to assign to its kings the status
of a deity. The kings were the heads of their religious
institutions and custodians of their pagan beliefs and practices. Combining
state functions with the religious, the kings and their immediate
lieutenants exercised authoritarian control over their subjects.
The Evangelical and Pentecostal assemblies, when unfaithful, are fast
gravitating into the same mould as their harlot mother church.
Their leaders are little gods over their little kingdoms but with no less
vicious power as expressed in the word, 'dragon'.
In closing, we want to draw attention to the one prominent
characteristic of this beast from the earth, something that stands
out above others. More verses are given to that one characteristic
above any other in Revelation 13. This has to do with the image of
the beast. We are told that the number of his name is 666 which
men receive on their right hand or upon their forehead. In volume 2 of
this series, we will be able to look into this in details. Of
course, there are many conjectures as to what this number of his
name means and what the image of the beast or the mark of the beast
means. We will be able to take all of that in the second volume.
Now, we come to Revelation 14, the passage that details the
characteristics of the second kind of lamb (the true Lamb). We
will take the several characteristics in turns. It is said that the
144,000 other lambs are virgins. The reference is not to physical
marriage. These lamb-like saints have virgin-heart purity towards
the Lord. They are not involved in mixed worship. They worship
the living God alone. This is quite something of importance since in
our day, so many are busy bowing the knees to human gods,
president/founders and general overseers. Many are ready today to
abandon their own thinking and take on the whims and caprices of
their reverend pastors. And it is exactly this same thing we are
to do in relation to Christ that men do in relation to men.
Next, we are told ".these follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth.".
God has purposed that the out-workings of redemption should be
secured in the Lord Jesus Christ. He it is who has the blue-print
of the Father's plan. He carries out the Father's purpose from one
stage to another. As sheep of His pasture, we are simply required
to be thoroughly focused on Him, following in His footsteps. Whatever
the Lord is doing at any time determines the devotions and labours
of His people, more so His servants.
We are told that no guile is found in their mouth and that they had
the Father's name written on their foreheads. In the first part,
it is observed that these footsteps-of-Christ followers are given to
Truth. In practical terms, this means that they do not handle the
word of God deceitfully. They also speak the truth in all material
and inter-personal relationships. In the second part, there's
revealed that these saints of God are taking up the nature of the
Father progressively until fully sealed with the same. Read
Revelation 7:1-4 The mark sealed on the foreheads of the 144,000 is
actually set forth in Revelation 14 as the Father's name. So,
those lambs have their characteristic marks that identify them as being
faithful and true.
We said that the mark of the beast is either upon the hands or upon
the forehead. And here in Revelation 14, we find that the mark of
the faithful Lamb is also upon the forehead. We shall show by
other scriptures that it is also upon the hands. What the mark of the
beast is and what things relate to it shall be discussed under the
subject heading, 'THE MARK OF THE BEAST'. It is sufficient for the
present time to challenge us unto a faithful walk with God. We can
be sure that in the spirit realm, we would be seen as becoming more
and more like Christ. May the Lord bless you richly, in Jesus
name.
My dearly Beloved Brethren, we will stop here for now. In our next
meeting, we shall be considering "THE TWO KINDS OF WOMEN" and as
usual, we do earnestly covet your prayers. Once again we say
'Remain Blessed' in Him who alone is the Author and Finisher (the Pioneer
and Perfecter) of our faith.
JESUS IS LORD!
Your Brother - 'Segun Ogunfile.
The Writings of Segun Ogunfile 