📖 Biblical Definition
John's vision in Revelation 5 of Christ at the throne: "in the midst of the throne... stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes" (Rev 5:6). The defining marker of the heavenly Christ is His having-been-slain — the resurrection-glorified body bears the marks of the cross eternally. Revelation 13:8 calls Him "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world," framing the cross as eternally-purposed.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Rev 5:6: heavenly Christ marked as slain Lamb; cross eternally borne.
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John's vision in Revelation 5 of Christ at the heavenly throne. The setting: the One on the throne holds a sealed scroll; no one in heaven or earth is found worthy to open it; John weeps; an elder consoles him — the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed to open it. John looks up expecting a lion and sees: "in the midst of the throne... stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes" (5:6). The defining marker of the heavenly Christ is His having-been-slain. The resurrection-glorified body bears the cross-marks eternally. Revelation 13:8 expands the framing: "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" — the cross was not Plan B; it was the eternal purpose. The new song that follows (5:9-10) celebrates: "thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood."
📖 Key Scripture
Revelation 5:6 — "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."
Revelation 5:12 — "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."
Revelation 13:8 — "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Triumphalist Christianity wants the Lion without the Lamb; Revelation 5 insists the same Christ is both, with the slain-marker primary.
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John expected a Lion (5:5); he saw a slain Lamb (5:6). Triumphalist Christianity wants the lion of returned-Christ without the lamb of slain-Christ. Revelation insists they are the same Person, with the Lamb-marker primary. The crown rests on the One who bore the thorns; the throne is occupied by the One who hung on the tree.
Recover the Lamb: Revelation's heavenly Christ is the slain-and-glorified One. The cross is eternally borne; the Lamb is eternally worshiped.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek arnion hōs esphagmenon.
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['Greek', 'G721', 'arnion', 'lamb']
['Greek', 'G4969', 'sphazō', 'to slay']
Usage
"Heavenly Christ as slain Lamb."
"Cross-marks borne eternally."
"Lion expected; Lamb seen."