The book of Revelation juxtaposes the judgment of God the Almighty and the Lamb, God’s messiah. The wrath of God is the wrath of the one who sits on the throne and the wrath of the Lamb (6:16–17). Heavenly voices praise the Almighty throughout the book because of his acts of judgment (11:15–19; 12:10–12; 15:3–4; 16:5–7; 19:1–2; see also 18:4–8). The Son of Man, the Lamb, promises to reward each person according to his deeds (2:23; 22:12–13). The Almighty sits on the divine throne; yet it is the Lamb alone that takes and opens the scroll in his hand for judgment (chs. 4–5). Cries to God for justice are answered by the Lamb’s opening of the scroll’s seals (6:9–11; 8:1–5). The Almighty’s wrath is a wine press tread by the Rider, the Lamb (19:11–16).
The goal of this essay to explore the role of the Lamb as Judge in Revelation. How does Revelation portray the Lamb’s role as judge alongside God the Almighty? How does the Lamb’s involvement construe divine judgment? This essay will offer a theological reading of key texts in critical engagement with Jürgen Moltmann’s and Michael Gorman’s interpretations of the Lamb’s judgment.