The names of jesus in the book of Revelation – Part 33
Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide
“Shepherd” continued’
The goal of my following the Shepherd and experiencing His goodness and mercy is that one day, I may be with the Lord forever (1 Thes 4:17), see His face (Rev 22:4), and serve Him forever in His house (see Rev 22:3; cf. John 14:2-3).
Forever (see Ps 11:7) see his face The Hebrew for “see the king’s face” was an expression denoting access to the king (see Gen 43:3,5; 44:23,26; 2 Sam 3:13, come into my presence”; 14:24, 28, 32.
Sometimes, it referred to those who served before the king (see 2 Kg 25:19, “royal advisers”; Est 1:14, those “who had special access to the king”).
Here, David speaks of special freedom of access before the heavenly King.
Reference is no doubt to his presence at the temple (God’s earthly royal house), but that is still the presence of the one who sits on the heavenly throne.
Ultimate access to the heavenly Temple may be implied (see 16:11; 17:15; see also 23:6; 140:13).
• Read Isaiah 40. Comfort for all people.
“He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.” (Is 40:11) “gather the lambs with his arm.”
God is described as One Who picks up an individual lamb in order to protect it and carry it close to His heart (cf. Mat 6:24-34).
Although God is all-powerful (v10) and He regards the nations as dust (v15), He still cares for each of His own in a personal way.
We must never think that God is so majestic that He ignores the needs and problems of the individual believer.
• Read Ezek 34:11-31. The Lord God is a Shepherd.
“For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.” (Ezek 34:11)
“search My sheep, and seek them out.” Because of the failure of the leaders of Israel, the Lord Himself would take charge of His people.
He would care for His flock (vv. 11-16), judge between the sheep, rams and goats (vv. 17-24), and establish a covenant of peace with the people (vv. 25-31).
“I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd.” (Ezek 34:23)
“I will set up one shepherd over them.” This shepherd is Jesus the Messiah, Who came from the lineage of David (cf. Ps 89:4,20,29; Jer 23:5-6).
He shepherded God’s people as a righteous priest, prophet and king.
He is “the good shepherd” (John 10:14), who laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:1-18; 1 John 3:16; cf. 1 Pet 2:25; 5:4).
In the future, when God’s people are restored to their land, the Messiah will set up His kingdom of peace and justice.
“I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.” (Ezek 34:25).
“a covenant of peace.” The Messiah-Shepherd will restore the peace and perfection that characterised life before sin entered the world (Gen 1-3).
This covenant, also called the “new covenant” (see Jer 31:31-34), will reach its full realisation only when God’s kingdom is forever established in the new heaven and the new earth (Rev 21-22).
Then, there will be “showers of blessing” for the redeemed (v26) and the full presence of God among His people (v30).
Email: mercyolumide2004@yahoo.co.uk www.thebiblicalwomanhood.com Mobile: +234 803 344 6614; +234 808 123 7987
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