06/28/2-26 Sunday Sermons

El Elyon and the Lamb of God

엘 엘리온과 하나님의 어린양 /

אֵל עֶלְיוֹן · ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ

Revelation(계) 5:5–10

Topic: The Names of God: The Sovereign Rule of God Most High and the Salvation Won by the Slain Yet Victorious Lamb

하나님의 이름: 지극히 높으신 하나님의 주권과 죽임당하셨으나 승리하신 어린양의 구원

The Bible calls God El Elyon, God Most High. The New Testament calls Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus is God the Son, the second Person of the Trinity. He is distinct from God the Father, yet He is one in essence with the Father and is truly God.

How, then, are God Most High and the slain Lamb—absolute authority and sacrificial love—revealed together in God’s work of salvation? We often understand greatness in terms of power and control, while we think of a lamb as a symbol of weakness and defeat. But is that the kind of greatness and victory God reveals?

Today, through the two names El Elyon and the Lamb of God, we will see how God Most High rules and how He saves His people.

1. El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן): God Most High

1) The Name Revealed in the Midst of Warring Kings

El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן) means “God Most High” or “the God who is above all things.” The word El (אֵל) refers to God as the One who possesses power and authority, while Elyon (עֶלְיוֹן) means “the High One” or “the Most High.”

This name does not mean that God is simply a little higher than other gods. God did not compete with other powers and rise to the highest place. He has always been above every being and every authority.

The name El Elyon first appears clearly in Genesis 14. Several kings formed alliances and went to war against one another, and Abram’s nephew Lot was taken captive. Abram gathered the trained men from his household, pursued the enemy, and rescued Lot along with the people and possessions that had been taken.

From a human point of view, it looked as though Abram’s courage and strategy had won the battle. But when Abram returned from the war, Melchizedek, king of Salem, showed where the victory had truly come from.

“Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand” (Genesis 14:19–20).

The name El Elyon was not first proclaimed in a quiet and peaceful setting. It was proclaimed in the middle of conflict, while kings were fighting for power and armies were clashing. The kings of the earth believed their own strength was shaping history, but Melchizedek declared that there was One who stood above every king and every army.

Abram also declared, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:22). He refused the wealth offered by the king of Sodom because he did not want anyone to be able to say, “I have made Abram rich” (Genesis 14:23).

Abram knew that the source of his victory and provision was not man, but El Elyon. He recognized that heaven and earth and everything in them belonged to God. His own life and future belonged to God as well.

Those who know El Elyon do not exalt themselves in moments of victory. They acknowledge God’s grace rather than boasting in their own strength, and they choose God’s glory over immediate gain. Faith in El Elyon begins when we confess that every gift, every opportunity, and every good result in our lives comes from God.

2) Heaven Rules

We see the sovereign rule of El Elyon just as clearly in Daniel 4.

Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful king of his day. He had conquered nations and built magnificent palaces and cities. To him, Babylon was proof of his power and a monument to his glory.

One day, as he walked through the royal palace, he said:

“Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30).

There was no place for God in those words.

“I built it. / I accomplished it by my own power. / I built it for my own glory.”

But before the words had even left his mouth, a voice came from heaven. Nebuchadnezzar was driven from his throne and lived like a wild animal. He ate grass like an ox, his body was wet with the dew of heaven, his hair grew like eagles’ feathers, and his nails became like birds’ claws (Daniel 4:33).

God did not do this only to punish one king. There was a truth Nebuchadnezzar had to learn.

“The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses” (Daniel 4:25).

God also told him that his kingdom would be restored when he came to understand that “Heaven rules” (Daniel 4:26).

The truth Nebuchadnezzar had to learn can be summed up in one sentence:

“Heaven rules.”

After seven times had passed, Nebuchadnezzar lifted his eyes toward heaven. At that moment, his understanding returned. He praised God Most High and confessed that His dominion is everlasting and His kingdom continues from generation to generation (Daniel 4:34).

As long as Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself, he could not see reality clearly. He believed that he had accomplished everything and that he could control everything. But when he lifted his eyes toward heaven, he finally understood who God was and who he was.

Pride is not simply having confidence. Pride is believing that we can accomplish and control everything without God. Humility is not believing that we have no value. It is recognizing the truth that God is God and we are His creatures.

We can fall into the same mindset in our jobs and businesses, in our education and abilities, in our homes and families, and even in the church and in ministry. We can begin to think, “I accomplished this.” We can treat the fruit of God’s grace as though it were something we produced by our own strength.

But the name El Elyon puts us back in our proper place.

We make plans, but God opens the way.

We work hard, but God causes our work to bear fruit.

We carry our responsibilities, but God is the Lord of history.

There are times when politics, the economy, technology, and culture seem to be driving everything. Changes beyond our control and an uncertain future can fill us with fear. But this world has never once slipped out of God’s hands.

God is not a distant observer of history. He raises up kings and brings them down. He humbles human pride and accomplishes His purposes. He is God Most High.

“Heaven rules.”

3) The Most High Is Our Dwelling Place

The fact that God is Most High does not mean that He is far away from us. Scripture tells us that the One who is highest above us is also the One who comes near to shelter His people.

Psalm 91:1 declares:

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

The words “the Most High” refer to Elyon, God Most High.

God Most High invites His people into His secret place. The One who is above every power shelters us under His shadow. God is not too high to come near us. Because He is the Most High, He is able to hold us securely in every situation.

The world tells us that money, position, health, and relationships will keep us safe. These things can be gifts from God, but they can never become our ultimate refuge.

Health can fail. Wealth can disappear. Human promises can be broken. But the power and faithfulness of El Elyon will never be shaken.

El Elyon is highest over all, yet He is not distant from us. God Most High is the One who comes near to shelter His people.

Those who trust El Elyon do not ignore reality, but they look to the God who is higher than their circumstances. They do not boast in their success, but give God the glory as the source of every blessing. And they give God the highest place in their lives.

True worship is not limited to the time when we sing songs of praise. Worship means placing God’s will above our plans, God’s glory above our success, and God’s name above our own name in every area of life.

The name El Elyon still asks us today:

“What has the highest place in your life?”

2. The Lamb of God (ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ)

1) The Lamb Who Takes Away the Sin of the World

When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him, he cried out:

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

The Greek expression for “the Lamb of God” is ho amnos tou Theou (ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ). The word amnos (ἀμνός) refers to a lamb offered as a sacrifice.

Today, we often think of a lamb as a gentle and innocent animal. But to the Jewish people who heard John’s words, a lamb was more than a symbol of gentleness. It meant a sacrifice whose blood was shed on the altar. It was also the substitute that died on the night of Passover to protect God’s people from judgment.

On the night before Israel left Egypt, every household killed an unblemished lamb and placed its blood on the doorposts. God said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13).

The Israelites escaped judgment not because they were more righteous or more perfect than the Egyptians. They were spared because a lamb died in their place and its blood covered them.

Isaiah described the coming Messiah as “a lamb led to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus had no sin, yet He bore our sins. He took the judgment we deserved and died in the place where we should have died.

The declaration, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” reveals the very heart of Jesus’ mission. Jesus did not come only to give good teaching or comfort people in difficult times. He came to redeem those who had been separated from God by sin and to give His life as a ransom.

The cross shows us how serious our sin is, and at the same time, how great God’s love is. Our sin was so serious that the Son of God had to shed His blood, yet God loved us so deeply that He gave His Son for us.

So we do not stand before God trusting in our own goodness or merit. We come to the throne of grace by trusting in the blood of the Lamb.

2) The Lamb Who Was Slain Yet Stands

In Revelation 5, the apostle John sees a scroll in the right hand of God. No one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth is able to open the scroll or even look at it, and John begins to weep bitterly.

Then one of the elders says to him:

“Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed” (Revelation 5:5).

John may have expected to see a strong and majestic lion. But when he looked toward the throne, he saw “a Lamb as though it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6).

Revelation most often refers to Jesus as arnion (ἀρνίον), meaning “Lamb.” But this Lamb is not lying dead and powerless. He was slain, yet He is standing in the midst of the throne.

Here we see the astonishing paradox of the gospel.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah appeared as a Lamb.

The victorious King stood bearing the wounds of sacrifice.

He was slain, yet He rose again.

His wounds are not marks of defeat but proof of victory.

Satan tried to use the death of Jesus to destroy God’s plan, but God used that very death to accomplish His plan of salvation. Jesus paid the full price for our sins and broke the power of sin and death. The cross was not the failure of Jesus. It was the victory of God.

Jesus did not become King by sacrificing others. He redeemed His people by giving Himself.

Sometimes we think of the cross only as a tragic event from the past. But Revelation declares that the One who was crucified is alive today. He stands in the midst of the throne, receives the worship of heaven, and is bringing God’s plan to completion.

“The Lamb was slain, yet He stands.”

Because of this, the faith of those who belong to the Lamb does not end in death or failure. Since Jesus rose, we have the hope that we too will rise.

3) The Lamb Who Conquers Without Becoming the Beast

Revelation shows us a beast who stands in direct contrast to the Lamb. The beast uses fear, lies, control, and force to make people submit. It demands worship and makes war against the saints.

But Revelation 17:14 declares the final outcome:

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings.”

The Bible does not say that a stronger beast will rise and defeat the beast.

The Lamb defeats the beast.

God does not become a greater beast in order to defeat the beast.

God does not overcome evil by using the methods of evil. He does not answer lies with more clever lies, or violence with greater violence.

The Lamb conquered through the truth of the cross, holiness, and self-giving love. In the end, He will completely destroy the power of sin and evil through His righteous judgment. We must never mistake the love of the Lamb for weakness. He is Lord of lords and King of kings.

The kings of this world demand that their people die for them, but the Lamb of God died for His people. Earthly power rises by sacrificing others, but Jesus conquered by giving Himself.

This is the way of the kingdom of God.

The church must never try to build God’s kingdom by manipulating people through fear or keeping them under control through pressure and coercion. The power of the church is not found in ruling over people. It is found in the power of the Holy Spirit, the truth of the cross, holiness, and sacrificial love.

Those who belong to the Lamb do not repay evil with evil, but neither do they abandon the truth. They love, but they do not compromise with sin. They refuse to deny Jesus even in suffering.

The world measures us by numbers and achievements, but the Lamb purchased us with His own precious blood. So the most important question is not, “How does the world measure me?”

The question is:

“Who do I belong to?”

3. Where the Two Names Meet

1) Sovereignty and Redemption Meet

El Elyon and the Lamb of God are not two unrelated names. These two names come together in the one saving work of the triune God.

El Elyon shows us who reigns over all. The Lamb of God shows us how God Most High saves sinners through His Son, Jesus Christ.

El Elyon has the power to save.

The Lamb of God is God the Son, who paid the price to save us.

El Elyon rules over history.

The Lamb of God went to the cross at the center of history.

El Elyon judges sin and evil.

The Lamb of God shed His blood so that sinners could be saved from judgment.

Revelation shows the Lamb standing in the midst of God’s throne. It also tells us that in the New Jerusalem there will be “the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:3).

The highest throne is not occupied by an uncaring ruler who ignores human suffering. The Lamb who shed His blood for us is there. God’s absolute authority is never separated from the love of the Lamb, and the sacrificial love of the Lamb is never powerless before sin and death.

Sovereignty and love, power and sacrifice, the throne and the cross all meet in these two names.

2) The Highest Power Is Holy Love

The world sees power as the ability to make people do what we want. But the power of God revealed in the Lamb is not the kind of power that uses people for self-exaltation. It is the power to save sinners and bring life to those who are dying.

God’s love is not a mere emotion that overlooks sin. It is holy love that pays the price to save sinners. God’s power is not oppressive violence. It is the power that destroys the rule of sin and death.

Becoming more like God does not mean becoming weak or giving up all authority. It means learning to use whatever strength and influence God has entrusted to us in a holy way.

If we have been given a position or responsibility in our homes, workplaces, or ministries, we must not use it to exalt ourselves. We must use it to protect the weak, care for the wounded, and build others up.

In the kingdom of God, the truly great person is not the one who controls others, but the one who uses God-given strength to serve others and bring life.

This is what it means to live under the rule of El Elyon and follow the Lamb of God.

4. Wrapping Up

El Elyon is God Most High, exalted above every authority, every nation, and every age. He rules over the kingdoms of this world and humbles human pride. Yet He is also our refuge, the One who welcomes His people into the shelter of His presence.

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, took away the sin of the world. He was slain, but He rose again. He stands in the midst of the throne, victorious over sin and death, and He will bring God’s plan to completion.

So we must ask ourselves:

Who has the highest place in our lives?

Are we following the way of the world or the way of the Lamb?

And who do we belong to?

Lift your eyes to El Elyon.

Heaven rules.

When success comes, give God the glory.

When the world around you is shaken, take refuge under the shadow of the Most High.

When guilt and condemnation rise against you, trust in the finished work and precious blood of the Lamb.

We are not ruled by fear, and we do not belong to this world.

We belong to the Lamb.

God Most High is our refuge, and Jesus Christ is our Savior and eternal King. Give God the highest place in your life. Remain faithful to the Lamb, and follow Him to the end.

Heaven rules.

The Lamb has conquered.

His kingdom will never end.

(Amen.)