Author: Dele Oke

The Lamb Slain from the foundation of the World

Revelation 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast -- all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. (NIV)

Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who died for the sins of the world (John 1:29). Jesus mission became clear to mankind only after He had been crucified on the cross. Yet the scriptures reveals in Revelations 13:8 that "the Lamb was slain from the creation of the world"

Peter repeats this truth in even more detail when he wrote about the precious blood of Christ.

1 Peter 1:18-20 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (NIV)

The reality is this. The blood of Jesus was shed for us before the creation of the world, but was only revealed to us when Jesus was crucified on the cross, died and rose again. Not even satan knew about the shed blood until then. This truth, once understood, should have great implications for our faith and victorious living over satan, sin and sickness.

Firstly Peter makes it clear (in verses 18 and 19 above) that we are "redeemed from the empty way of life by the blood of Christ" and that this was accomplished "before the creation of the world" In other words, the fall of mankind did not destroy God's purpose in creating mankind. God is omniscient (all knowing) and nothing takes Him unaware nor is He unprepared for any event. God does not go running after Satan trying to sort out the mess he (satan) creates. Rather, the blood of Jesus has already taken care of it.

There is nothing satan, sin or sickness can bring that the blood has not already made provision for. Our redemption is in the blood. The blood is God's answer to everything that satan throws at us. You can be sure that God has made certain that the blood of Jesus has enough authority and power to meet all mankind's needs. And you know what? Not even satan understood the redemptive power in the blood until after the death and resurrection of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 2:7-10 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" -- 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

The next time you go to the presence of God with a need, don't encourage unbelief by trying to work out in your mind how God will provide the answer. Take comfort in the fact that the blood of Jesus is the answer. The blood is our omnipotent God's provision for all our needs. If Jesus' blood had not been shed from the creation of the world, then we might have had a good reason to worry. God would have overlooked a vital fact. But glory is to God. In His all-knowing wisdom He has slain the lamb before the "creation of the world". The blood has provided for our redemption, every need and provision.

Insurance policy.

It is as if to say, God had taken out an insurance policy before creating mankind. It is a fully comprehensive insurance that pays for all damages no matter what, and even promises to ?restore back as new?. That insurance is the blood of Jesus. The main strength of the insurance (just like any normal insurance policy) is that it was taken out before the incident. That is why it covers every thing. Jesus' death on the cross was not an after thought by God, rushed through after the event (of mankind falling into sin). No. It had been settled before.

Revealing the blood

The third chapter of Genesis records the fall of mankind. The twenty first verse records God's response to their nakedness, a result of the fall

Genesis 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them

The garments of skin are a clear indication of the shedding of blood of an animal (or two). Earlier on in verse seven, Adam and Eve had used leaves to cover themselves. God no doubt found this inadequate. The skin of an animal (or animals) was used instead. The need of sacrifice was gradually being revealed. An animal was killed to pay for the sin of mankind. Needless to say that it was the shed blood, which was of more importance. The blood was covering their sins, physically and spiritually. The first time we witness the blood shed in the Old Testament has to do with the payment of sins. God made this even clearer in Leviticus

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.

The twelfth chapter of Exodus again records God requesting the slaying of an animal for each family to observe the Passover. The significance of the Passover lamb is rooted in the "lamb slain from the foundation of the world". An animal was sacrificed in order to protect the family.

Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: 'On the tenth day of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.Exodus 12:3 NKJV

In Exodus chapter thirty and Leviticus 16: 3-34, God instructs Moses to have an animal shed for the nation of Israel. Do you get the trend now?

1. 1. Genesis chapter three - An animal is sacrificed and its blood is shed for a person.
   
   2. Exodus chapter twelve - An animal is sacrificed and its blood is shed for a family.

   3. Exodus chapter thirty and Leviticus 16: 3-34 - An animal is sacrificed and its blood is shed for a nation.
   
   4. John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God, is sacrificed, and His blood is shed for the world.

God has all along been revealing the "lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world". However this is just the beginning of the revelation. And you know what! The knowledge of this alone, when received into our hearts can cause us to walk in the abundance of riches that Christ's death made available to us.

Questions

1.Who is the "Lamb of God"? - John 1:29
2.When was the "Lamb of God slain"? - Rev. 13:8, 1 Peter 1:18-20,
3.What is the significance of the "Lamb of God being slain from the creation of the world"?
4.How has God been gradually revealing to us the significance of the blood?
5.When was the blood of Jesus revealed? - 1 Peter 1:20
6.Did satan have prior knowledge of the importance of Christ's death and resurrection? - 1 Corinthians 2:7-10

Next > Relationship, fellowship and weapon of attack.

The precious blood of Jesus

Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who died for the sins of the world (John 1:29). Jesus mission became clear to mankind only after He had been crucified on the cross. Yet the scriptures reveals in Revelations 13:8 that "the Lamb was slain from the creation of the world".

• The Lamb Slain from the foundation of the World
  It is as if to say, God had taken out an insurance policy before creating mankind. It is a fully comprehensive insurance that pays for all damages no matter what, and even promises to ?restore back as new?. That insurance is the blood of Jesus. The main s
   
• Relationship, fellowship and weapon of attack.
  Adam and Eve found themselves naked as a consequence of their disobedience, and promptly covered themselves with leaves. God, evidently, found this covering inadequate and employed the skin of an animal (or animals) to do a proper job. Invariable the bloo
   
• Understanding the Plagues
  God used ten plagues as a demonstration of His power. This power is still available in the blood of Jesus today. The ten plagues give us a picture of the destruction and torment satan and the forces of darkness come under when we subject them to the blood
   
• Lesson before the plagues.
  Moses had to be totally convinced of his God given mission. Moses conviction was a necessary shield against the negative circumstances that were to arise. God invested time and effort into giving Moses an understanding of His plans. Moses needed a revelat
   
• The place of the blood
  The main lesson here is that although the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the signs they produce are unique, important and powerful. The shed 'Blood of Jesus Christ' is in a class of its own. Satan can imitate the gifts but he can't withstand the blood. The
   
• The Ten Plagues
  Remember the magicians imitated the first two plagues (Ex 7:22, 8:7). This did not hinder Moses. We need to stand our ground against satan. Each plague brought Israel nearer to their deliverance. Each time we plead the blood our salvation is nearer than w
   
• The Ten Plagues continued.
  The sixth plague sees the magicians having to get away from Moses because of the boils. This was torment and hurt to them. It is not uncommon today to see demons scream out in pain and torment when we plead the blood of Jesus. It hurts them.
   
• The Passover
  We too like the Israelites are instructed to keep the feast. This of course means keeping it in the spiritual sense. We no longer have to kill a lamb every year. Jesus, our Passover lamb has been crucified once and for all. Jesus was slain from the founda
   
• Power in the speaking blood
  They overcame him by the blood of the lamb. This does not give us a picture of Christians sitting down doing nothing and expecting the victory of Christ to drop on them like ripe apples. "They overcame" denotes that it took a process of time. They were