Three Bridges To Cross
There are three bridges that science has not yet crossed. First, the bridge that leads from nothing to something. When did nothing —vacancy — first become something? Science is silent on that point. Second; when did matter show the first pulse of life; when did inorganic become organic? Science cannot help us there. And third, when did mere animal existence rise first into moral consciousness? Science cannot help us there. Revelation only can help us there. “All things were made by Him” — thus nothing became something. “In Him was life” — thus life had its origin. “And the life was the light of men” — thus began moral consciousness in man. That revelation crosses all three bridges. So here John set before us in words clear and memorable the Divine dignity of Him with whom he had been accustomed to walk for three never-to-be-forgotten years in the days of His flesh.
In John 12 he tells us (referring back to Isaiah’s marvelous vision of Jehovah) — “I saw the Lord high and lifted up,” john refers back to that vision and then adds. “These things spake Isaiah when he saw His glory (i.e., Christ’s) and spake of Him. “To John, the Christ with whom he had companied and the Jehovah of Isaiah’s vision were one and the same.
When we return from the Gospel to the book of the Revelation we are shown an innumerable multitude gathered around the Throne in Heaven. There are all the creatures and angelic orders, all the redeemed from the nations, the four and twenty elders seated about the throne and clothed in white, and the four many-eyed ones in attendance on the throne.
In the beginning of his gospel, John tells us that on the first public appearance of Christ he was bidden to “Behold the Lamb of God.” Where now shall John find the Lamb of God? Shall he look amongst the company of the redeemed? They will say, “He is not here; look higher!” If he approached those four and twenty enthroned ones in radiant garments and asked; “Where is the Lamb of God?” they will say, “He is not among us; look higher!” And if he asks one of those four many-eyed living ones, he will also say, “He is not here; look higher!” Until at last, in the midst of the throne, the only One standing, whereas all around are bowed prostrate in worship — standing in the midst of the throne of God is the Lamb of God. “I am Jehovah, and My glory I will not give to another” (Isa. 42:8); yet the glory of universal dominion and worship that is due to God only are also accorded to the Lamb of God!
—J. B. Watson