Today, Thursday March 31
The Song of the Redeemed Revelation 5:8-10
“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. 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, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
Remember that we have great reason and motivation to worship the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, first, because of who He is. Then we worship Him because of where He is, in the midst of the throne. And we worship Him for what He does! He is worthy of all worship because He alone can open the seals on this scroll, because He alone is the Redeemer of the world with the blood of His own sacrifice!
This praise song that is being sung before the throne of God in heaven is not only a worship hymn, it is also a Gospel song! And yesterday we talked about how it is missionary song! We are told that sinners were redeemed "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Rev. 5:9). Today we will meditate two more wonderful aspects of this worship song being sung in heaven around the throne!
This heavenly hymn was also a devotional hymn, for it announces our unique position in Christ as "a kingdom of priests." In many scriptures in the New Testament we are told that like Melchizedek of old (Genesis14:17-18; Hebrews 7:1), we as believers are kings and priests. The Apostle Peter told the saints he was writing to that: “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:5&9).
The veil of the temple was torn when Jesus died, and the way is opened to God: “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-25). Even today we have direct access to God’s throne of grace where we can find mercy and help in our time of need! (Hebrews 4:16)
Finally, this song was a prophetic hymn: "We shall reign on the earth" (Rev. 5:10). When Jesus Christ returns to earth, He will establish His righteous kingdom for 1,000 years; and we shall reign with Him (Rev. 20:1-6). The prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Thy kingdom come!" (Matthew 6:10), will then be fulfilled. Creation shall then be set free from bondage to sin. Isaiah describes this wonderful time on earth in a beautiful prophesy in Isaiah 11:1-10.
Paul wrote about it in Romans 8:18-23: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”
What a day that will be when Christ shall reign in justice and power, and by His redemptive power restore everything back to His original creation! And best of all, we can be there to enjoy it if we by faith trust Jesus to save us today! What a marvelous hymn we will be singing with the redeemed in heaven!
God bless!
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