God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is pointed out as the One who is worthy to receive the scroll containing God’s plan. One of the elders tells John, that He is the Lion of Judah’s tribe, the Root of David and the Lamb. On hearing those things, John's eyes really open. Somehow until now Christ had been hidden from him, but now he sees Him in all His honor and glory. But notice in what wonderful way he sees Him: “Stood a Lamb as it had been slain.” The Lion from Judah's tribe, the root of David, the Conqueror. He who is worthy and able to see and carry out God's plan is a Lamb! But with certainty this Lamb gained the victory, for this Lamb stands. How did this Lamb gain the victory? By going down the path of suffering and dying to the accursed death on the cross. By going the way of self-denial in obedience. By emptying Himself. He underwent God's punishment and judgment, yes went down to it, for love of man, from whom none is worthy to approach God. He sacrificed Himself, and those signs can be seen! He took upon Himself the filthiness of lost mankind, His sins and guilt. He entered into man's defenselessness and powerlessness. And from that position He lived for His Father, as intended, in perfect righteousness and holiness. He was slaughtered (verse 6), which indicates the death on the cross. He stands (verse 6), which indicates Easter morning, He rose from the dead. He is coming (verse 7), which indicates His ascension. He is found among the four beasts and the elders, in the heavenly throne. It is He who is seated at the Right Hand of the Father. It is He who has all power in heaven and on earth. It is He who is also true to receive all worship.
It is He who has God's Spirit and sends it out to all lands. The Spirit who recreates, who begets to life and renews lives. This is depicted by seven horns and seven eyes. Why is the Spirit depicted as seven horns? We read in Zechariah 4:6 “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Why is the Spirit depicted as seven eyes? It is God's Spirit who is present everywhere and sees and sees through all. The number seven indicates the fullness of the Spirit.
What a certainty of the Overcomer speaks from this. He has overcome and His Spirit now goes forth victoriously into all lands! He is designated as The Lamb that stood as it had been slain.