In this sermon, Greg Boyd introduces chapter 5 of Revelation where we read about the vision of the slain lamb. This lamb unveils the nature of God’s character in a surprising way, as typically God is depicted as having lion-like character, but instead the slain lamb shows us what God is really like, how God works in the world and how God has conquered evil. 
In Revelation 5, we are reading about the same throne room that John enters in chapter 4, but now we see it from a different angle. Chapter 5 is about the infinite transcendent being of the one on the throne and his loving character.
This sermon focuses on the three relationships of the lamb, addressed in three acts:
Act 1: The Lion and the Lamb
Act 2: The Lamb and the One on the Throne
Act 3: The Lamb and the Scroll
Act 1: The Lion and the Lamb
The scroll reflects the power and authority of God, but can only be read by someone with a certain kind of character. John hears a lion but sees a lamb. In the Old Testament and apocalyptic texts, a lion is a symbol of violent power, which is the traditional conception of the Messiah. The lamb bears the marks of having been slaughtered, yet remains alive. The Messiah has the power and might and majesty of a lion, but he does not conquer by shedding the blood of enemies but by allowing his own blood to be shed for his enemies. In short, this powerful, majestic lion has the character of a slain lamb.
Act Two: The Lamb and the One on the Throne
A foundational conviction of Jewish monotheism is that there is only one who sits on the throne, the eternal transcendent creator. Yet the Lamb is depicted as residing in the center of the throne. John is saying that Jesus, the slain Lamb, shares the divinity and glory of the one on the throne. In fact, so close does John associate the slain Lamb with the one on the throne that he consistently refers to the lamb and the one on the throne with single pronouns and singular verbs. Out of love, the eternal, almighty, transcendent creator God became a humble, gentle, weak-looking, vulnerable slain little lamb.
Act 3: The Lamb and the Scroll
The scroll represents the true nature of God’s power, rule, and plan to defeat evil. The reason the lamb alone is worthy to open the scroll is because the Lamb alone perfectly embodies the humble loving character of the glorious one on the throne who holds the scroll. This is the central message of Revelation and of the New Testament, as Paul wrote,“ For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). While to the perishing world this looks like the epitome of foolishness the cross is actually the power of God. The cross is at the center of the power by which God rules the world and defeats evil. The slain lamb is the key to understanding who God is, what God is up to in the world and how God defeats evil.
Greg closes the sermon by leading us in a prayer that is written by Paul in Ephesians 1:17-19 to help us enter into the imagination of John’s vision in Revelation 5.
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Tom and others:
I have a much different conclusion on the character of God, the lion eats the lamb! At this moment, the lion can only be thought of as Iarael, and the Lamb is Palestine’s 11/2 million who are being eaten by the lion!
Most in our land ignore that the lion is the natural gas field being killed for its newly discovered Natural Gas. All those who work for Israel, say the lion’s share of the Kamar field is in Gaza waters. Not owned, but coveted by the “lion”.
This view explains why all of Gaza is being leveled by Israel, mostly with USA bombs, so the rightful owner of “Kamar” will be either dead in Gaza or forced into the desert of Israel.
Best to all,
Chuck C
https://whchurch.org/sermon/the-lamb-at-the-center/#!
You opened my eyes. Great sermon.
Astounding sermon Greg! I’m just getting caught up!