The Lamb Will Shepherd the Nations

There is a fountain filled with blood,

drawn from Immanuel’s veins.

And sinners plunged beneath that flood

lose all their guilty stains.

Verses 15-17 “form a poetic stanza. . . . They depict the eternal blessings of God shared inclusively by the redeemed” (Smalley, Revelation, 198). Once again the redeemed are located “before the throne of God,” granted access by virtue of the fact “they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (7:14).

Here they serve in priestly and worshipful service day and night (i.e., continually) in His temple. Later (21:22), John says, “I did not see a sanctuary in it [i.e., in the new Jerusalem], because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its sanctuary.”

In Luke 2:37 it is said of the prophetess Anna, “She did not leave the temple complex, serving [this is the same Greek word] God night and day with fasting and prayers.” Any thought of heaven being a boring and dull place is banished forever by the beautiful simplicity of this verse. For all of eternity it will be our delightful and joyful privilege to serve in the worship of Him who saved us by washing us clean by His blood.

“The One seated on the throne will shelter them” and us. Literally, “He will spread His tent [tabernacle] over them.” This calls to mind the tabernacle in the wilderness (Exod 26–30), the pillar of cloud and of fire (Exod 13:21-22), the shekinah glory of God’s radiant presence in the midst of His people (Exod 40:34-38), and the incarnation of the Son (John 1:14). God is with them, right there in their midst. Never again will they feel forsaken; never again will they be tortured and tormented. They will enjoy the supreme presence and protection of the Lord God Himself forever and ever.

Hunger and thirst were constant obstacles and threats in the ancient world. They remain so for much of our world today, but not so in heaven. Starvation, thirst, and the burning heat of the sun will find no place in heaven. This is almost a direct contrast with what the Four Horsemen bring in 6:1-8. They curse but God blesses. They bring suffering and sorrow, but God gives us satisfaction.

The language here draws on Isaiah 49:10 and Isaiah’s description of returning exiles from Babylon. It also recalls the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:6; John 4:14; 6:35; and 7:37. Every need is met by the Lamb who is, as we now see, our Shepherd.

In chapter 5 we saw a Lamb who is also a Lion. Now we see a Lamb who is also a Shepherd. And what a Shepherd He is! He is a Shepherd-King in the midst of the throne. He is like the Shepherd-King in the Song of Songs. He is like the Lord our Shepherd in Psalm 23, one who “will guide them to springs of living waters.” He is the Good Shepherd of John 10 who “will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

The Shepherd image is one of the richest and most beloved in all of Scripture. Everyone needs a Shepherd of their soul. We find this image taking shape when God called a little shepherd boy named David to be Israel’s king. It is said of that shepherd he was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). Later that shepherd-king would pen the most beloved song in the entire Psalter, where we are taught, “The Lord is my shepherd,” and because He is, I have all I need (Ps 23:1). Then, when the nation is in exile, having been abused by those who should have been “shepherds of Israel” (Ezek 34:2), God makes a promise to His people:

“I will appoint over them a single shepherd, My servant David, and he will shepherd them. He will tend them himself and will be their shepherd.” (Ezek 34:23)

And in Micah 5:2-4, His promised shepherd is said to come out of Bethlehem, which means “the house of bread.” Of Him it is promised, “He will stand and shepherd them in the strength of Yahweh, in the majestic name of Yahweh His God. They will live securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.” Micah 5:5 adds, “He will be their peace.”

We then arrive to the New Testament where all of these Old Testament promises and themes find their fulfillment in the “good shepherd” of John 10, the “great Shepherd” of Hebrews 13:20, the “chief Shepherd” of 1 Peter 5:4, the Shepherd of souls of 1 Peter 2:25, and the Shepherd-King of Revelation 7:17. What a Shepherd He is!

Several years ago I came across an article titled “The Room.” Only recently did I discover it was written by my friend Joshua Harris (it first appeared in New Attitude, 1995 and is used here by permission). It is a real dream that Joshua had, and it beautifully illustrates why we—why the nations—need to hear about and know this Lamb who is a Shepherd, a Shepherd of our souls.

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in “the room.” There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I Have Liked.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room and its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the thoughts and actions of my every moment, big and small, in detail my memory couldn’t match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me and I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories, others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed.”

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I Have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed At.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brother.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger,” “Things I Have Muttered under My Breath at My Parents.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my [brief life] to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed the truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I Have Listened To,” I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title card bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally, He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands, and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

“No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I tried to pull the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a gentle smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written. (New Attitude).

Yes, there are still cards to be written. But praise His name, each and every one has been covered with His name and by His blood. Hallelujah! What a Shepherd! Hallelujah! What a Savior!