ACC ~ Revelation 5 v6

THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST IS THE EXPIATION OF THE WORLD. ORIGEN: But if we examine the declaration about Jesus who is pointed out by John in the words, “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” from the standpoint of the dispensation itself of the bodily sojourn of the Son of God in the life of humankind, we will assume that the lamb is none other than his humanity. For he “was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and was dumb as a lamb before its shearer,” saying, “I was as an innocent lamb being led to be sacrificed.”This is why in the Apocalypse, too, a little lamb is seen “standing as though slain.” This lamb, indeed, which was slain in accordance with certain secret reasons, has become the expiation of the whole world. In accordance with the Father’s love for humanity, he also submitted to slaughter on behalf of the world, purchasing us with his own blood from him who bought us when we had sold ourselves to sins. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 6.273-74.

WHEN THE CHURCH MORTIFIES ITSELF, THE LAMB IS SLAIN. TYCONIUS: The throne, the animals, the elders are all the church. For the church is in the midst, and he continues to describe the scene and says, “A lamb standing as though slain.” For as often as Christ is preached in the midst of the church as slain, so often is the same Lamb seen as though sacrificed for the fault of the world, since what is unknown is made known to the uninitiated and the memory of the faithful is formed by a pious worship. For whenever the church, which Christ has put on, mortifies herself to the world that she might live to God, the Lamb is said to be sacrificed, as though the Head for the body. And so it continues: “Having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” The variety of words teaches but one understanding, for the horns symbolize the most excellent gifts of the Holy Spirit by which Christ reigns throughout the world in his church. It continues, “which are the seven spirits of God.” For no one governs with a righteous prominence throughout the world or is especially glorified by the gift of the Holy Spirit spread abroad, except the church. As we know, seven signifies universality and completeness. And this is true, because the horns are upon the head, and so the exaltation of each church is rightly said to be placed upon Christ. For “upon this Rock I shall build my church,” which is as though he said, “I shall build you upon me.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5.6.

THE LAMB IS SLAIN IN THE MARTYRS OF THE CHURCH. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: The throne, the animals, the elders and the Lamb as though slain are all the church together with her head. [The church] dies for Christ that she might live with Christ. The martyrs in the church may also be understood as the Lamb slain. EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE 5.6, HOMILY 4.

THE LIVING CHRIST GOVERNS WITH GREAT POWER. APRINGIUS OF BEJA: Here he showed even more clearly our Lord, Jesus Christ, whom he declares was not dead but was as though slain because of the suffering and the death which he had undergone. He says that he had seen this [Lamb] in the midst of the throne, that is, in power and in divine majesty. “And among the four living creatures.” This is because he is known in the fourfold order of the gospels. “And among the elders.” By this he indicates the chorus of the law and the prophets, or of the apostles. He testifies that he saw the Lamb there, not slain but as if slain, that is, even he who had conquered death and had trampled upon the passion. “And he had seven horns and seven eyes.” The horns symbolize power and strength. The number seven represents the condition of the world which he rules effectively and which he governs with great power. Moreover, he calls the seven eyes the seven spirits of God, and in this way speaks of the Holy Spirit who remains with our Lord, Jesus Christ, gloriously by the degrees of the seven virtues. Concerning him the apostle says: “We know that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.” And again: “The Spirit of him who raised Christ from the dead will also vivify our mortal bodies on account of his Spirit who dwells in you.” Since “their sound has gone out into the whole world,” he speaks of the Spirit as “those sent,” calling to mind the gifts of the Holy Spirit which have been abundantly spread throughout the entire earth. TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 5.6.

CHRIST STILL BEARS THE TROPHIES OF HIS DEATH. OECUMENIUS: He has called the Lord a “lamb,” because of his innocence in providing what we need. For just as every year the lamb provides by giving of its wool, so also the Lord “opens his hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing.” And so, prophecy speaks of him in this way, through Isaiah: “As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearer is dumb”; and also through Jeremiah: “I was like an innocent lamb led to the slaughter, and I did not know.” But the lamb [in the vision] had not been slain, but it was “as though it had been slain.” For Christ returned to life, having trampled death and having despoiled hades of all the souls held by it. And so the death of Christ was not a death of inviolate surety; it was as a death cut short by the resurrection. And even after the resurrection the Lord had carried about the trophies of death—the imprint of the nails, his life-giving body made red by his blood, as Isaiah says in front of the holy angels: “Why is your robe red and your garments like his who treads in a full wine press?”—for this reason he was seen in the vision “as though slain.” The seven horns witness to his great power, since the number seven, being perfect, indicates a great amount, as we noted above. And certainly the horns are symbolic of power, as the prophet says, “And all the horns of the sinners I will cut off, and the horn of the righteous will be exalted,” and as Habakkuk says, “His horns are in his hands.” And to be sure, Isaiah has interpreted for us the “seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth,” saying, “And there will rest upon him the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and piety. The spirit of the fear of God will delight him.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5.1-7.

Rev