As we look at this slain Lamb!

(William Bacon Stevens, "The Lamb Slain!")

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne!" Revelation 5:6

As we look at this slain Lamb — let us mark the direful malignity of sin! It was sin which . . .
drew Christ from His throne in glory;
humbled Him to the condition of humanity;
made Him "a man of sorrows" all His days;
hunted His life from infancy, and
finally nailed Him to "the accursed tree!"

Had not man sinned — Jesus would never have become incarnate! Hence, every pang and woe which He endured in body and soul, from His miraculous birth to His ignominious death — were inflicted by sin!

Christians! wearers of Christ's name! professors of Christ's religion! Will you love sin? Will you be in league with and cherish that in your heart — which slew the Lamb of God? O, if you love sin; if you are resolved not to forsake it; if you do not hate it as the enemy of Christ, and your own soul — you are hugging that to your heart, which drove the nails into the hands, and thrust the spear into the side, of the Lamb of God!

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Revelation 5:12