Saturday, April 11

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-10
I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.  And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”

And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”

YOU ARE WORTHY!

As shown to John, this fifth chapter of Revelation depicts the celestial realm and offers three doxologies, songs of glory or honor to God.  This is the worship around God’s throne, around the Lamb of God (John 1:29). The hymn selected for today likewise has words and music that magnificently engage in the manner of worship envisioned through John’s Revelation.

The first scripture verses tell of the scroll of utmost secrecy bearing seven seals. This contains the hidden decrees of God regarding the last things. The writer John is undone and weeps because at the angel’s proclamation “no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll…(v.4).”  Then one of the elders comforts John and points out the One worthy. From God, the one seated on the throne, from the extended right arm of authority, the only One who is worthy to open the scroll takes it.  The end of time decrees rest in the hands of our loving Lord who made the ultimate sacrifice and overcame all enemies (sin, death and the devil) on our behalf.  How reassuring to us when we consider all that must come to pass in the end, as the seals are broken and God’s final reckoning and judgment are brought forth. The Lamb who was slain – is standing now –not held by death– sharing the throne with God the Father.  As the Worthy Lamb receives the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fall down and sing a new song (vv.9-10). 

Look and see the Lord high and lifted up. (Isaiah 6:1-7)  The icon, Christ in Glory portrays Christ as supremely mighty, all-powerful, glorious. No longer seen as a suffering servant, like a sheep led to the slaughter, a bloody sacrifice for us.  As John, the evangelist gives testimony to his vision, he describes a Lamb. Yet in the passage, the Lamb is identified as the Lion of Judah.  When we gather for worship what is our attention truly fixed upon?  Do we see after weeping and in awe, the matchless Redeemer, the Messiah who will reign forever and ever?

What characterizes this sublime worship John describes?   As just noted, it is centered on God, the Victorious Savior who ransomed men by His sacrifice. It is all embracing , recognizing that those who have been brought out of sin and death are from every  tribe, language, people and nation . This worship breaks down barriers and divisions among humankind and draws all near their creator/redeemer. Have you experienced times of worship with believers of many backgrounds and ethnicities?  May we never sell short the gospel call of Christ that transcends all factions. In God’s heavenly kingdom, we can’t separate ourselves because of human based distinctives and boundaries.  “Let every kindred, every tribe on this terrestrial ball , to Him all majesty ascribe and Crown Him, Crown Him, Crown Him Lord of all.”…appropriately the hymn has been translated into nearly every existing language and sometimes is called the National Anthem of Christendom. It seems to be written for a “ glorious coronation” of the King, our Lord.

In addition this sublime worship unites heaven and earth. The first doxology is sung by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders (Revelation 4:4) each with a harp and golden bowl filled with incense. The Four Living Creatures are angelic beings ( Ezk. 1:4-20, 6:2) and portray the whole cosmos: creation, beasts, human beings and angels. The elders are commonly understood to be the full foundation of the old and new covenants- the 12 sons of Jacob and the 12 apostles and extended to be all the glorified saints. The elders’ harps for thanksgiving and golden bowls full of incense-which are the prayers of saints still on earth- show the unity among all saints militant and triumphant. In ever increasing bands of worshippers, the angels, myriads and myriads sing out the second song (v. 11) and all creatures on earth, and under the earth, and within the sea join in the third song (v.13).  Perronet, the hymn writer also adds bands of worshippers in each stanza beginning with the angels + chosen of Israel, + sinners +saved representing all peoples + us.

The apparent state of all those surrounding the Divine Throne, wherein is the majesty and holiness of God, is humbleness. Immediately on the taking of the sealed scroll by the Lamb, the elders fell down (prostrated themselves) and worshiped.  The experience of Isaiah when heavenly worship opened to him was to see his unworthiness in the presence of perfect Holiness. An angel purifies him by touching his mouth with a burning coal.  All Hail the Power in a final verse expresses our yearning to join this scene around the throne, saying “O that with yonder sacred throng we at His feet may fall”.  When our eyes (literally or spiritually) are opened to the exalted God, as Isaiah’s were, how can we not fall down, humbling ourselves as we worship and adore Him?

Undoubtedly we have yet to exhaust the characteristics of worship found in Revelation 5.  To mention just one more, we see voices united in song.  John has presented the shared words of praise (which are set to music) telling of the wondrous love and sacrifice of God on our behalf. Identified as a new song, the second Doxology in this chapter (v.12) is as forthcoming as this new age has been ushered in by the Lord who in his obedience unto death opened to us eternal life, being reconciled to our God who is life.  Wouldn’t it be marvelous to have a soundtrack for these doxologies in Revelation as we celebrate the Resurrection here and now?

PRAYER
O come let us worship and bow down before Thee, our maker and our redeemer.  May our hearts overflow in doxology to Thee, O Lamb who was slain and who in Thy great sacrifice and victory makes us unto God, a kingdom and priests.  All this springs forth from Thy fathomless love and mighty redemption.  Let us serve Thee with all our being, spread Thy love and light to our neighbors and have continually on our lips, the praise and glory of Thy Name and deeds. May our prayers be as incense before Thy throne. 
Amen.

Beth Krammes, Biola Alumna, Cook School of Intercultural Studies