I saw in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 6. I saw.… a lamb standing as it were slain, with the prints and marks of its wounds. It was of this lamb (that is of our Saviour Jesus Christ) that Saint John Baptist said: “Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world.” John 1:29. Witham.—Here again Jesus Christ is plainly marked out, the Lamb of God, the victim of expiation, who by his death has reconciled us with his Father; and who, even in heaven, bears the marks of his passion, and by the wounds therein received continually inclines his Father to shew us mercy. He has seven horns, as so many crowns and marks of his omnipotence; and seven eyes, to represent his infinite knowledge and wisdom. Calmet.—Having seven horns and seven eyes, (to signify his power and his knowledge,) which are the seven spirits subject to Christ. See Calmet. 1:4. It is observed that in the Revelation of Saint John, the number seven is divers times applied to signify a multitude, and a number implying perfection, and three and a half for a small number. Thus are represented the seven candlesticks, seven churches, seven spirits, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven vials, and so forth Witham.