Revelation 14:1
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
The coming king is recognized and characterized as a “Lamb”. This is given to us in contrast to the leader that rises up in the world that is known as the Antichrist. The Antichrist comes in as a very winsome and charismatic leader who wins the trust and admiration of the world. However in the end he is found to be a ruthless, arrogant and unilateral dictator that demands the worship of the world. Those who refuse to worship him will be killed. He just isn’t a nice guy.
The Christ by contrast is represented as one who is gracious, kind and compassionate. That is why the picture of Him is a Lamb. He is the one who has purchased redemption for lost men. This reality cannot and must not be lost. Before He comes in His majestic power as King, He has come in humility as the Savior. And even in His coming as King He yet offers opportunity for lost men to be saved. That is the content of Revelation chapter 14. While in the thirteenth chapter the Antichrist is ruthlessly killing, the Lamb is offering the gospel of redemption.
To fully understand this however, it must be seen that the Antichrist is a usurper of position and power. This world belongs to the Lamb. It is His by the right of creation. And while it would be His right to totally destroy the earth and its rebellious occupants, he yet offers them His grace and compassion. “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.”
