My God and My Right - Reflections on the death of Queen Elizabeth II at Dumfries House from J Stewart Gillespie, graceinchrist.org

When elders announce in heaven that the book of Revelation chapter 5 is to be opened by the Lion of Judah, John turns to look, but instead of a Lion he sees a Lamb. God achieves the greatest of victories by the most unconventional of means. It was not King Saul who defeated Goliath but rather David the Shepherd boy, it was not armies that defended Israel in the days of Haman's genocidal plan but rather Esther the slave queen, it was not a revolution nor superior armaments that secured the release of Israel from Egypt but the blood of a lamb. God does things differently because God sees the universe differently. Underpinning the universe is an order far different from what we might suspect. Greatest in God's eyes is not determined by popularity, nor by influence, nor by wealth, status nor title. In the eyes of God personal character, faithfulness and Christ likeness are of a far higher order of magnitude in the assessment of greatness. These values underpin the very fabric of His creation. To found ourselves upon them and to move in harmony with faith, love, hope, truth and righteousness is to guarantee ultimate success. These very principles; the greatness of love and meekness underpin God's great plan of salvation; by the lamb, in the suffering and death of Jesus Christ for sinners, despised, hated and rejected. It is the lamb we view here in Revelation chapter 5 as the one able to open the book; a book which changes destinies and determines the passing of an old fallen world and the rising again of a new eternal city. 

Yours by Grace in Christ 

J Stewart Gillespie