Sermons of Ralph Erskine 6. The Lamb in The Midst of the Throne

Extract

Sermons of Ralph Erskine

6. The Lamb in The Midst of the Throne “For the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed them” Revelation 7:17.

We are met this day to celebrate the memorials of the love of Christ, in his death and crucifixion, upon mount Calvary. And that our faith may look to him in the best light, and to the best advantage, we are to remember, not only where he once was, but where he now is; and we will find, we need not be ashamed of a crucified Christ that was once upon the cross, for now he is upon the throne. The Lamb that was slain, as a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice for us, the once dying Lamb in the midst of the cross, is now the ever-living Lamb in the midst of the throne. And from this throne of God, where he reigns, we expect our food and provision upon the feast-day; according to the words of the text, “The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them.”

From the thirteenth verse of this chapter we have a description of the honour and happiness of these that shall faithfully serve, and patiently suffer for the Lord Jesus Christ. Some interpreters think that the happiness of the saints militant, even in this world, is here described; some, that it is only the happiness of the saint triumphant in heaven; others make this place of scripture relate to both, and with these especially I join; because, whatever honour and happiness of suffering saints is here set forth, they enjoy the same partly in this life, and fully in the life to come, as may appear by the particulars here mentioned.

The happy persons are spoken of; “These are they which came out of great tribulation,” (verse 14). Whatever relation some think this may have to the church of Christ on earth, after they have escaped the antichristian bloody persecution; or as others, to the martyrs in heaven, that have suffered unto death for the Lord Jesus Christ; yet it may be said of all the militant saints, who, through much trouble, enter into the kingdom of heaven, and therein are conformed to their suffering Head, the Lord Jesus Christ, and bear about in their body the dying of the Lord Jesus. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them …