Sunday, April 27—Day 54

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”
And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,
“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”
And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.
Revelation 5:11-14

Worthy is the Lamb
Today, many people think that Handel’s Messiah should end with the “Hallelujah” Chorus. But the focus of Messiah is on the work of Christ. The final verses come from the fifth chapter of the book of Revelation where we are in the throne room of God. At the sides of the throne are four living creatures. John then beheld the One on the throne displaying a scroll sealed with seven seals. But no one can be found in heaven, on earth, or under the earth who is worthy to open the scrolls. He grieves for this, but he is assured by one of the elders: “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has triumphed, so that He can open the scroll and the seven seals” (Revelation 5:5).

The reference is to the Messiah, a symbol going back to the messianic prophesy of Jacob’s blessing on Judah in Genesis 49:8-12. But when John looked to see the mighty Lion, (the conquering Warrior — the Messiah from the Root of Jesse) he saw instead a Lamb — the Lamb of God — a Lamb having all power and all wisdom (seven horns and seven eyes). The Lamb has been slaughtered, and yet He stands and receives the scroll, as well as the adulation of the living creatures and the elders.

There is a sound. Many angels appear around the scene of the throne—encircling the Lamb and the living creatures and the elders—tens and tens and tens of thousands of angels (a “myriad” is a Greek term for 10,000). The Angels sing with full voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)

When this song has been sung, all creation is summoned forth to join in praise: “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, singing,

‘To the One seated on the throne unto the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13)

“And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen.’” Amen is a Hebrew word meaning, “indeed, truly, so be it.” It does not mean “the end.” When someone in the congregation agrees with what the preacher says and shouts “amen,” he is using the real meaning of the word. We use it at the end of a prayer to signify our affirmation of what has been said. In a unique usage, Jesus used it to introduce some of His sayings, “Truly, truly, I tell you.”

And so Messiah comes to an end with all glory and all honor and all praise given to the “Lamb Who Is Worthy.” “And the elders fell down and worshiped.” (Revelation 5:14) Amen

When Handel had finished his composition, he wrote on the last page at the bottom of his manuscript, Soli Deo Gloria, (To God Be the Glory Alone). To this we add, “Amen! and Amen!”
Rev. Neil Ellison, Kempsville Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, VA

PRAYER
Worthy of praise from every mouth,|
Of confession from every tongue,
Of worship from every creature,
Is your glorious name, O Christ:|
Who created the world in grace
And by your precious blood did save the world.|
To your majesty, O God, ten thousand times ten thousand
Bow down and adore, singing and praising without ceasing
And saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain,
To receive power and riches and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing!”
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts;
Heaven and earth are full of your praises;
Hosanna in the highest, both now and throughout eternity!
Amen.