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.
And I beheld, and, lo. So Vulgate; but A omits "And I beheld;" B, Cyprian, etc., omit "and, lo."
In the midst of the throne - not on the throne (cf. Revelation 5:7), but in the midst of the company (Revelation 4:4) "round about the throne."
Lamb, х arnion (G721)] - in Revelation exclusively, except John 21:15: expressing endearment; the endearing relation which Christ bears to us: the consequence of His previous relation as the sacrificial Lamb х amnos (G286)]. So our relation to Him: He the precious Lamb, we His dear lambs, one with Him. [Bengel thinks arnion (G721) implies, taking the lead of the flock. Another object of form arnion, the Lamb, is to mark the contrast to therion, the Beast. Elsewhere amnos (G286) is found, the paschal, sacrificial Lamb (Isaiah 53:7; Septuagint; John 1:29; John 1:36; Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:19).] Christ is "the Lion," yet "the Lamb" (Revelation 5:5): combining opposites.
As it had been slain - bearing marks of His past death-wounds: standing, though bearing the marks of one slain. In the midst of heavenly glory, Christ crucified is still prominent.
Seven horns - i:e., perfect might; "seven," perfection; "horns," might. In contrast to the horns of the anti-Christian world-powers, (Daniel 7:7; Daniel 7:20; Daniel 8:3; Zechariah 1:19; Zechariah 1:21; Revelation 17:3, etc.) Seven eyes ... the seven Spirits ... sent forth. So 'Aleph (') х apestalmena (G649)]; A х apestalmenoi (G649)]; but B х apostellomena (G649)], 'being sent forth.' As the seven lamps before the throne represent the Spirit immanent in the God-head, so the seven eyes of the Lamb represent the same sevenfold Spirit profluent from the incarnate Redeemer in worldwide energy. "Sent forth" х apestalmenoi (G649)] is akin to apostles, whose labours for Christ throughout the world flowed from His Spirit's impulse. If the present be read, those labours are regarded as continually going on unto the end. "Eyes" symbolize His all-watchful providence for His Church, and against her foes (Zechariah 4:10).