The Royal Shepherd

The Lamb’s reign began with his Death and Resurrection. Since then, he has been shepherding the nations toward New Jerusalem.

The Book of Revelation declares Jesus is the “Ruler of the Kings of the Earth.” When it describes how he reigns over the “nations,” it presents a King of an entirely different nature than Caesar or the political rulers of this evil age. Christ is the “Lamb” who was slain to redeem men from every nation, and now, he is “shepherding” the “nations” so that the city of “New Jerusalem” will be fully inhabited.

The Book of Revelation assures the seven beleaguered congregations of Asia that Jesus has events firmly under control despite appearances. His sovereignty is based on his Death and Resurrection, and ever since, his Kingdom has been advancing across the Earth. As the “Ruler of the Kings of the Earth,” the “one like a Son of Man” possesses full authority over history, kingdoms, life, and death.

[Shepherd Photo by Patrick Schneider on Unsplash]

The manner of his rule does not conform to human expectations or the political systems and ideologies of the existing world order. The Messianic King is a “Shepherd,” not a tyrant or warrior like so many other rulers, kings, dictators, and presidents - (Revelation 1:17-18).

The Second Psalm is applied to Jesus several times by Revelation, especially its promise that the “Kings of the Earth” will be “shepherded” by the Anointed “Son”:

• (Psalm 2:2-9) – “The Kings of the Earth take their station, and grave men have met by appointment together, against Yahweh and his Anointed One <…> Yet I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain <…> You are My son. I, this day, have begotten you. Ask of me and let me give nations as your inheritance and as your possession the ends of the earth. You will shepherd them with a scepter of iron, as a potter’s vessel will you dash them in pieces.”

Christ is the “Faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the Dead, and the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth.” He gave “faithful testimony” through his Sacrificial Death, and he became the “firstborn of the dead” via his Resurrection. His followers form a “Kingdom of Priests,” and they participate in his reign by performing “priestly” functions and mediating his light to the nations – (Revelation 1:4-6, 5:9-12, 14:1-5).

Because they “overcame,” faithful believers sit with Jesus on his “Throne,” but they qualify to participate in his rule in the same way that he did - By giving faithful witness even “unto death” - (Revelation 3:21, 5:6-10, 12:11).

In the vision of the “Sealed Scroll,” John wept because no one worthy could be found to open the Scroll. He was commanded to cease weeping since the “Lion from the Tribe of Judah overcame to open the Scroll and its Seven Seals.” However, when John looked, instead of the “lion” he saw the slain “Lamb.” Jesus is the messianic “Lion of Judah,” but he fulfills that role as the “Slain Lamb.” He did not come to slay his enemies, but to redeem them – (Revelation 5:5-6).

The “Lamb” has “seven eyes, the Seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the Earth.” This image portrays his authority that extends to “the uttermost part of the Earth,” as promised in the Second Psalm. The men purchased “by his blood” from every nation rule with him as his priestly kings. He opened each of the Seven Seals to release their contents because Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb who is in firm control of events - (Revelation 6:1-8).

The Second Psalm is applied again to Jesus in the vision of the “Woman clothed with the Sun.” He is the “son, the male” who was born from her, and according to the Psalmist, he is destined “to shepherd all the nations with an iron scepter; and her child was caught away unto God and to His Throne” - (Revelation 12:2-5).

The woman’s “Son” is named in the passage. He is the “Christ,” the Anointed Son of God. The Book of Revelation follows the text of the Greek Septuagint version of the Second Psalm by translating the Hebrew verb for “rule” with the Greek term for “shepherd.” Something other than the forced subjugation of the nations is taking place under the Son’s reign.

GOVERNING ENEMIES

This same “Christ” was “caught up to God and his Throne” before the “Dragon” could devour him. The same reality is portrayed when the “Lamb” appears before the “Throne” following his Sacrificial Death in Chapter 5. The “Dragon” failed to stop the Son’s enthronement and was subsequently expelled from the Heavenly Court, therefore, a great voice declared:

• “Now is come the salvation, the power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ, for the accuser of our brethren is cast down” – (Revelation 5:5-14, 12:9-12).

The “Dragon” was defeated by Christ’s Death and Resurrection. There is therefore no limit to his authority. For example, the “Beast from the Sea” could not launch its “war” against the saints until it was authorized to do so - (“It was given to the Beast to wage war on the saints” - Revelation 13:5-7).

In the vision of the “Rider on the White Horse,” the Messiah appears brandishing “the sharp sword proceeding from his mouth with which he smote the nations. He will shepherd them with his rod of iron.” Once again, the same words from the Second Psalm are applied to Jesus, and the term “rule” is changed to “shepherd” – (Revelation 19:11-21).

In the Book’s final vision, John sees the city of “New Jerusalem” descending to Earth, and the “Kings of the Earth” and the “nations” residing in it. This raises the question:  How did they gain entrance to the “Holy City” since so often in the Book they are hostile to the “Lamb”?

The inclusion of the nations in the City’s population is the result of the “Lamb shepherding the nations” and wielding his “sharp sword,” the Word of God – (“And he is arrayed in a garment sprinkled with blood: and his name is called The Word of God” – Revelation 19:13).

Jesus is the ruler who “Shepherds” the nations from his Messianic Throne, and his offensive weapon is the “sword” that proceeds continually out of his mouth, the “testimony of Jesus” given by his overcoming saints - (Revelation 1:2, 1:9, 6:9, 11:7, 12:11, 12:17).

With his sword, the Lamb defeats his enemies and saves men, women, kings, and nations. This “sharp sword” symbolizes the proclamation of the Gospel by his “Kingdom of Priests,” which is how the Sacrificial Lamb “shepherds the nations.”

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SEE ALSO:

• His Narrow Path - (Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God, a realm that differs radically from the governments and ideologies of the modern world)

• Lord and Messiah -  (The New Testament applies messianic and royal promises from the Psalms to Christ’s present reign. He alone is, present tense, Lord and Messiah!)

• Starting from the Cross - (Jesus is the Messiah whose reign began on the Cross, and who fulfilled his mission as the Suffering Servant of the LORD)