The Blood of the Lamb of God.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,  [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  [20] He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (1 Peter 1:18-20)  (NIV).
The Word of God clearly states that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.  On the day of Passover, the spotless, perfect Pascal lamb was slit at the throat; the blood was caught in a vessel in the first Passover in Egypt was applied to the doorpost and lintel of each household of Israel.  As a result of this obedience Israel not only escaped death but also was delivered out of Egypt and was delivered to become a nation.
Peter makes the application to his friends and to you and me that it was this precious blood that became the means of our redemption.
Hebrews 13:12   And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. (Hebrews 13:12)
We have been putting a lot of emphasis on the suffering of Jesus Christ, but we should not overlook the importance of the shed blood of Christ.  While the theme of this series is not on the blood of Christ, the subject deserves some attention.  As the throat of the Pascal lamb had been slit and blood poured  out in gory of life flowing out of the innocent one the Israelite would have been rehearsing his sins and the fact that this blood that was being shed was a substitute for his punishment.  The innocent one (Pascal lamb) had died and the man's sins were removed from his head to the head of the lamb.  Just so, it was necessary for Jesus Christ to become the fulfillment of that innocent one as the suffering, yes, but also the dying one.  Jesus died for the sins of the world so that all mankind might have the opportunity to live forever.  It was through this dying – this shedding of his precious blood that all of us, the people of God, were to be made holy – set apart, a people of God.
Hebrews 2:14   Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;  
The central theme around which Redemption pivots is the shedding of the blood of Christ.  It was through the blood of man that Jesus became identified with man.  That is, He did not become an angel or some other form of creature – He did not appear in some sort of christophany and appear to die on the cross.  No.  It was necessary that the Son of God becomes completely identified with man and that was accomplished though  becoming man himself.  Jesus Christ became a partner with us in as much as He was a man with a real body – a body that was planned from before eternity to be sacrificed on the cross for all of us.
Hebrews 9:13-14   For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:  [14] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  
All of the sacrifices of centuries before – thousands – tens of thousands of innocent lambs pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus, though identified with man as man himself was without sin, perfect in every way – thus Jesus bled and died on the cross and as a result of His finished work on the cross has the power to purge – empty the collective consciences of all believing men and to empower them to serve the living God.  There is truly power in the blood of Christ.
Hebrews 10:19   Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  
Let us never forget the tremendous price that was paid for our redemption – but let us avail ourselves of the privilege that comes from that investment of God.  Because of His Shed blood we may enter into the very presence of God.  Let us move on the our paradox.
The Paradox of the Lamb of God.
The Pascal Lamb was picked out from among the flock.  We have learned that The Lamb of God was to become man and become the sacrifice for all of mankind so that they might have eternal life.  But the name "Lamb of God" does not merely refer to his humanity.  The Son of God was chosen to be the Lamb of God before the world was even created.  God's Love for his precious Lamb did not begin at the birth of Christ. We will now pick up this thought by turning to the gospel of John.  Please turn to John 18:37.  Take note of the dialogue between Pilate and Jesus just before his crucifixion – 
"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." (John 18:37).  
Jesus said this while standing bound before Pilate about to be crucified as the Lamb of God.  I take this as paradox – just as was the paradox of the placard that was placed above his head on the cross. 
"And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." (Luke 23:38)  
Actually, Pilate introduced the paradox by asking the question whether or not he was a king.  So we have this paradox the paradox of Jesus at once being the Lamb of God apparently bound and helpless and Pilate asking him if he was a king.  Of course Jesus was indeed the King the king not only of the Jews but also of all kings having complete sovereignty over his whole creation – including his certain death on the cross.  The paradox continues on in Revelation 5:6.  Let's keep reading.
"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."  
At one hand we have "a Lamb as it had been slain."  On the other hand the prophecy refers to Jesus Christ as "…in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders…"
There is, of course, no paradox because this is the great plan of redemption coming to a focal point and the Word of God is merely pointing out to man what seems to be totally paradoxical.  But from the point of redemption's view this is the natural course of events – before Jesus would assume the role of King of Kings he first had to assume the role of the Pascal Lamb of God and become the sacrifice for the sins of the world. 
Again, may I quote from my favorite theologian, Lenski:  "The fact that calling the conquering Lion from the tribe of Judah a Lamb is a strong paradox need scarcely be said; the paradox is solved by what follows . . . While sitting on the throne (4:2, 3, 9) symbolizes the exercise of power and dominion on the part of God (and on the part of Christ when sitting on God's right hand), this does not apply when the Victor himself is symbolized as a Lamb.  Stephen saw Jesus 'standing' in the vision recorded in Acts 7:56, because he had risen to receive him."
In the book of  Revelation Jesus Christ is the victor.  He and he alone fulfilled the great plan of redemption – he stands uniquely as the fulfillment of redemption's plan and  is to act in the final conclusion of it.
Jesus Christ, The Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God.
Rev. 5:5-6   And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.  [6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.  
Redemption was to come to fruition. Chapter four of Revelation centered on the throne of God.  Twelve times the word "throne" is cited in this chapter.  The throne of God speaks of his sovereignty and power over his creation.  John was invited to "come up here" where he was to be shown in the Revelation of Christ, the things that would happen on earth." When we recite the "Lord's Prayer" we find the words – "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  Chapter four the chapter that tells of God's sovereignty and power, leads naturally into chapter five where the present world system is to be judged and brought to a conclusion because God in His sovereignty has determined it to be so..
So as the Lion of Judah, Jesus is to bring to a head all the promises of God made to Abraham regarding his progeny – his inheritance that he would become a nation of countless number and to Judah – that the scepter would never depart from his hand.  To David He was to be the One who would reign forever as David's Son.  So then, as the Lamb of God , Jesus represents the Victorious servant of God who now stands ready open a new "chapter" the chapter of  ousting Satan as the ruler of this world and introducing the kingdom of God on earth.  The paradox is resolved through the revelation of God.  As the Victorious Lamb of God He is to be executor of God's plan of redemption, as the Lion of Judah he is to rule forever as King of kings and Lord of lords
Rev. 5:7-9   And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.  [8] And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.  [9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;  
Contained within this book is the final chapter  and Jesus Christ as the obedient Son of God who left his state of glory to become the Lamb of God is to be the possessor and executor of God's plan to install his kingdom on this earth.  Note the importance placed on the "prayers of the saints."  It is in the arena of our prayers that we participate in this final chapter.  The golden vials containing these prayers refer to the practice of the priests in the tabernacle of anointing every article of furniture.  The prayers being thus contained in these vials should strongly suggest to us as his children that he places great importance on our prayers.  In fact, while we are to be about the "business" of reconciliation we are also to be about the "business" of participating with the Trinity in the details of this grand conclusion – the final chapter of God making all things new on earth.
So, this is not a paradox, this image of the Lion and the Lamb – rather it is the complete imagery of  Christ's total position of being the executor of Redemption's plan and the King of kings who will rule forever.  Both the promises of God to Abraham and to his son Judah and the promises to the rest of the world were to be  completed in the person of Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God.