[350]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - WORTHY WORTHY IS THE LAMB
The setting for this poem is Revelation chapters 4 and 5. The scene is in heaven where the Bride of Christ is gathered, a mighty number of people purchased by the blood of the Lamb.
As should be the case, Jesus is in the midst. {{Revelation 5:6 “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.”}}. He is the centre and in this case He is the slain Lamb.
The stanzas of this poem draw heavily on the content of chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation, but we must not lose sight of Jesus, Lord and King and eternal God, and of the sacrificial Lamb.
An interesting exercise in these two chapters is to select what you think is the key verse or what really appeals to you. Here is my selection – {{Revelation 5:9-10 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, and You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”}}
AND a very close parallel is {{Revelation 4:10-11 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “WORTHY ARE YOU, OUR LORD AND OUR GOD, to receive glory and honour and power, for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created.”}}
There is one line I want to speak about – [[“Representatives of Law and Grace, through blood redeemed:”]]. Law is not strictly correct but I chose that to represent the Old Testament saints, and grace for the New Testament saints. If you don’t like that expression you can use “[[“Representatives of Promise and Grace, through blood redeemed:”]] OR [[“Representatives of Israel and Grace, through blood redeemed:”]]. 12 of these are the sons of Jacob, and 12 are the disciples. That is how I see the 24 elders.
The great worship scene in heaven will be worship in its purity, something we are not capable of doing now. When without sin, the worship and praise will be so perfect to the Lamb and the Father. Our physical frames can not properly appreciate that. What John saw was hard to describe in human terms but this is what we have – {{Revelation 4:2-3 “I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and ONE SITTING ON THE THRONE and He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance, and there was a rainbow around the throne like an emerald in appearance.”}}
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WORTHY WORTHY IS THE LAMB
Who is worthy? Who is worthy to open the book?
In that assembled myriad, move your eyes and look.
Can we find one qualified, worthy to break the seals?
Search around among that host, that before the throne kneels.
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In triumphant voice the Lord will call His Church to rise.
Then will transpire the joining of the Lord and His Prize.
The Bride and Bridegroom meet; never more to be apart.
The Bride – the sacrificial joy of God’s loving heart.
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He takes the Church to heaven, assembled ‘round His throne,
Billions from ev’ry age, each one precious, all His own.
With united heart, united voice, all in great praise;
All will worship the Lamb of God, all with hearts ablaze.
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What a scene portrayed: like a jasper, One on the throne,
Sardius in looks; descriptive glory all His own.
An emerald rainbow embraced this, His throne of glory,
Suggestive of promise from the first rainbow story.
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Twenty-four elders on twenty-four thrones were sitting –
Sons of Jacob and the twelve disciples – so fitting;
Representatives of Law and Grace, through blood redeemed:
Great leaders of faith in their testimony esteemed.
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Praise God for His magnificence; flashes, peals and sounds;
With the Holy Spirit there, glory to God abounds.
Holy, holy, holy is God Almighty, the Lord -
Who was, who is and is to come, who has His reward.
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Adoration, honour, praise and thanks, belong to You.
You are the eternal God, mighty and uplifted.
In all Your dealings, Your acts and promises are true;
Countless saints adore you for riches you have gifted.
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O, Lord our God, worthy, worthy are You to receive
Glory, and honour, and power, because we believe
You have created ev’rything in the universe;
All things that exist, objects and life, all so diverse.
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Glory be to God for His creation majesty,
Created by His will, and totally praiseworthy.
Praise Him for His excellence, who upholds all things true;
Who made the infinite heavens, but loves me and you.
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Jesus is the Lion; the royal King of His nation,
Descended from the root of David, for salvation.
Worthy, worthy, is this One for He has overcome;
Because He gave His life for sin, Victor He’s become.
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You alone are worthy the seven seals to open;
By death and resurrection, Your passion has proven
You are the Lamb, worthy because death You defeated,
And Calvary’s work of salvation was completed.
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Sing to the Lord! He is worthy, so sing this new song.
Exalt your God! Let each one’s voice pass the theme along.
O, Lamb of God, for each one’s redemption, You were slain,
And by your blood you purchased us, new lives to obtain.
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Worthy are You, Almighty God to sit on the throne.
Creator and Redeemer, the praise is Yours alone:
Power, riches, wisdom, honour, glory and blessing
Be to Him from myriads and myriads who sing.
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All created things in heaven and earth are to say –
“Blessing, honour and glory to the Lamb,” they relay.
Dominion is His, now, and forever and ever.
It will never ever cease, no never, no never!
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Amen and amen! We worship the Lamb on the throne
Who sits in majesty there surrounded by His own.
Amen! Amen! Amen! Jesus the Lamb is worthy!
He is love. He’s our redemption. He is trustworthy!
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Ronald Ferguson 26-27 December 2020 13-13-13-13 AABB