Before we jump into the four horses in Revelation 6, we must first get comfortable with seeing the “Lamb” as the hero of our story. Recently, I was worshiping to the song “Agnus Dei” and have only just now realized that it means “Lamb of God”. I’d figured the Latin Dei was a “God-word,” but never looked up Agnus until mere seconds ago. I wonder if any of you, like me, have sung, in repetition, “Worthy is the lamb… worthy is the Lamb…” and have felt even a little bit of a disconnect about worshipping Jesus as “lamb” over and over? What does that even mean?
How may we, in 2025, grasp the same impression and significance of what Jesus as Lamb means? Most of us might be more inclined to have more awe or reverence for the “G.O.A.T.” terminology (Greatest of All Time: originally assigned to legendary boxer Mohammed Ali; and now a title vied for by many professional athletes).
In Exodus 12, the 10th and ultimate strike at the Egyptian oppressors of God’s people is anticipated and enacted as God explains how his people will be protected from his punishment. He initiates what would become a yearly remembrance, the sacrificing of a lamb (the Passover Lamb). Historians estimate that at each Passover, over a quarter of a million lambs were sacrificed in the Temple. Imagine that! These weren’t just any ol’ lambs. The Israelites had to sacrifice 1-year-old, male sheep or goats (lambs or kids) every year to atone for their sins.
This gives new meaning to the birth of Jesus being first told to shepherds, “watching their flocks of [lambs] at night.” It wasn’t just a “lowly in status” group of men; they were actively protecting the newly born lambs from predators — lambs who would serve a great purpose come Passover. These shepherds were the ones being told of “The newborn Lamb”.
Thirty years later, John the Baptist would greet Jesus by declaring, “…Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). I can only assume that term — agnus Dei (see John 1:29, 36 in the Latin Vulgate) — would have been a bold statement for the crowd to hear.
Can this man really be the final solution to our atonement? Will we no longer have to procure and protect (both costly) an unblemished lamb every year, and journey to the Temple, to make us right with God?
As we ponder a slain lamb being the opener of seals and the victor in the Revelation epic, we must make the term Agnus Dei mean more to us than it might. Ponder what might be costing you greatly, repeatedly, and unceasingly. Imagine God’s grace removing that consistent burden once and for all. Jesus is the victor, whether it be dragons, horses, or all matter of imagery of evil and oppression.
It is our response is to sing, “worthy is the Lamb… AMEN.”
by Kris Thulson
