- Communism Is No Different

Since those days, communism has reared its head. Millions have feared that it was only a matter of time until the world would be under Communist ideology and control. Silly, frightened people declared they would “rather be Red than dead.” But communism cannot prevail, and I will tell you why. It has nothing to do with politics or economics or public ownership of property.

Communism cannot prevail because it begins with materialism. It teaches that there is no God and no Christ, no heaven and no hell. It declares that mankind has no soul and that prayer to God is nonsense. Communism is a negation of everything good and pure, everything divine and holy. It cannot prevail because our God in heaven has His plan and program for creation. There is no human being and no human philosophy or force able to wrest dominion from our living God. When John looked through the open door into heaven, he saw this significant title deed in the hands of God, who sat on the throne. The great angel’s voice went throughout creation as if in challenge to Satan and every created being: “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” And what was the response? No one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was qualified to open the scroll or to look inside it. All of this uncertainty was too much for the sensitive, tender John. I have often thought of John’s great heart of love and concern and have decided that I would rather have a heart like his than all the knowledge this world holds.
We must not forget that John was still human and still much a part of the earth scene when he received this vision. He was not yet glorified, not yet perfected. In his own being, John treasured the prospect of God’s control and ownership of our lost planet. John knew from observation and experience the telltale signs of having the wrong person in political charge. He was isolated on Patmos because of his Christian testimony.

I think John carried the grief of the human race in his heart. That was why God chose him to receive the Revelation. God always blesses the men and women who have concern enough in their hearts to bring tears of love and compassion to their eyes. We have many ways of teaching the Bible and theology—and I believe in them. But I must insist that the Spirit of God will reveal some of the secrets of God only to those who know what it means to have a broken heart for Jesus’ sake and on behalf of lost humanity.

So, one of the elders said to John, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” John knew what a lion was like, and he turned in expectation. But the One he saw was not a lion but a Lamb—the Lamb of God!

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:6-7; Revelation 5:13)

Now, I want to look back with you to this scene in which the Lion and the Lamb are mentioned. The association seems odd to us. We wonder how it could be. John was told that the Lion of the tribe of Judah was the conqueror, but when he turned, he saw not the fearful and powerful Lion but the wondrous Lamb of God, the risen and eternal Christ.

Let us fully understand this truth. On earth, the lion is stronger than the lamb. But in the kingdom of God and before the throne of God, the Lamb is stronger, and He is Victor! God’s ways and ours are not the same. When John turned, he saw Christ, the Lion, but in truth he saw Him as the Lamb. Unless we know Jesus Christ as both Lamb, our Redeemer, and Lion, our strength to live for Him day by day, we are not Christians in the right sense of the word. In the kingdoms of earth, the spirit of the lion dominates; in the kingdom of God, the Lamb rules. For this reason the world’s redemption is not in mankind’s hands.

If you get nothing else from this chapter, it is essential that you understand and retain this truth: the world’s redemption is not in mankind’s hands. I cannot tell you how glad I am that there is at least one thing that we humans cannot bungle. The plan of salvation is God’s plan. The power in redemption is God’s power. Only the Lamb of God could die in our place. This is God’s way of doing things, not ours.