Worthy Is The Lamb
Revelation 5:7-12 NKJV
7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth."
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:
"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
My recurring story with Revelation is my lack of understanding of this book. But this year, instead of complaining about my lack of knowledge, I have done something about my deficiency. No, I have not done an intensive study of the book. I have outsourced the next fifteen chapters to Dwayne Riner. I do not believe anyone has a full knowledge of everything in the book of Revelation, but I do believe Dwayne has some great insights that will be helpful. Dwayne will start on Monday with chapter six.
As for chapter five, there are some beautiful visuals of what takes place around the throne of God. The Lamb that is referred to in this chapter is, of course, Jesus. John the Baptist called Him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The elders and the living creatures call Him the Lamb worthy to take the scroll of God and open the seals. I think it's interesting to note that the elders and the creatures have a harp and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Not only are our prayers heard in heaven, they are kept there.
The song sung by the elders and creatures is a song of praise to Jesus, the Lamb; that He is the only one worthy to take the scroll and open the seals. Because He was killed and has redeemed or bought us back to God with the price of His blood. This purchase was not just for the Jews but for every people group on the earth. Every people group is one of the reasons we support world missions, particularly those taking the good news of Jesus to people who have never heard of Him. It was Jesus who redeemed us, and Jesus who has made us kings and priests to our God. That's a royal position of worship before God. Jesus has made us what we could have never done in our own power.
And John also heard the voice of what appears to be millions of angels. These angels are also worshipping the Lamb. Worthy is the Lamb to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessings. It doesn't appear that anything was left out. We sing the chorus "worthy of it all," and that is what is described here. Everything that mankind prizes is ascribed to Jesus. He truly is worthy of it all.
We don't know everything about heaven, but we can discern that it will be a loud, glorious place with praise, worship, and honor being given to God on the throne and to the Lamb who is worthy. One day we'll join in singing these same songs. Until then, we still have the ability to give blessing, honor, glory, and power to Him who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb. Forever and ever, amen.