This passage finds us in Heaven in the presence of God upon His throne. The church has been raptured, perfected and safely delivered home to Heaven. Revelation chapters 4 and 5 find us in Heaven’s courtroom. God is preparing to judge this world. But, before He does, there is a pause for praise in glory because the Lion of Judah stands before the Throne as the Lamb of God!
Revelation 4 – John was in the Spirit, and he beheld, a glorious throne in heaven, with one seated on the throne. Around the throne were twenty-four smaller thrones and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. (We understood these to be symbols of the old testament saints and the new testament saints – some say they represent the 12 Tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles of Christ). John tells us that from the throne came flashes of lightning and rumblings and thunder… And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind. They sound like Ezekiel’s cherubim, “the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle.” They sound like Isaiah’s seraphim, “Each had six wings: with two they covered their face, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew around the Throne of God singing, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!” And John says that the four living creatures, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" And every time the said it, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they existed."
Then in Revelation 5 - John saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or no one on earth or no one under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and John began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll nor even to look into it. And one of the elders said to John, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals." When John turned to see, he saw not a lion but a lamb! And then John said, “I saw a Lamb, with the scars of being slain, STANDING … and The Lamb of God went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne.”
At this point Heaven is unable to contain itself and all the residents burst forth in rejoicing and praise to God and the Lamb. There is praising and singing and music. This the first mention of music in this book, but it will not be the last. John takes us into Heaven and gives us front row seats at the concert of the ages. Let’s go in, take our seats and listen to the hosts of Heaven as they lift their voices in praise and worship of the Lamb of God! And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song…
Why a new song? Because it answers the question of the Old Testament, “Where is the lamb?” (Genesis 22:7) Though it was asked of Abraham by Isaac in the Old; It was answered in the New Testament by John the Baptist who looked to Jesus and cried out, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The choirs of heaven sing, “Worthy is the Lamb!” The Lamb of God is Jesus Christ! When the Lamb came and took the scroll, the weeping ended and the praising began. God’s people and the representatives of God’s creation joined their voices in a new song of praise. Note that praise and prayer were united, for incense is a picture of prayer rising to the throne of God. The “golden vials full of odours” are said to be full of “the prayers of the saints.” These worshippers come before the Lord with all the prayers of the redeemed through the ages. These prayers have ascended into God’s presence with a sweet aroma. These prayers that were offered in faith are about to be answered in power. That is why Heaven praises God! He is a God Who hears and answers the prayers of His children! Not a single prayer that prayed within the scope of His will ever falls to the ground unheard and unanswered, 1 John 5:13-14; James 4:2-3. But, every one of them is answered in His time and in His way.
Now we find 3 Songs in the text. A Song of Passion, A Song of Power & A Song of Praise…
I. v. 9 A SONG OF PASSION (ELDER’S SONG)
"Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
The song of God's people speaks of His passion! He (1) was killed, (2) ransomed them with his blood, (3) gathered them into a Kingdom, (4) made them priests, and (5) appointed them to reign on the earth. Jesus has already died and paid the penalty for sin. He is now gathering us into his Kingdom and making us priests. We not only worship Jesus Christ because of who He is. But also because of where He is (v. 6). Jesus is in heaven! He is NOT in the manger, in Jerusalem, on the cross, or in the tomb. He is ascended and exalted in heaven. What an encouragement this is to suffering Christians, to know that their Saviour has defeated every enemy and is now controlling events from glory! He too suffered, but God turned His suffering into glory. We do not worship a Babe in a manger or a corpse on a cross. We worship the living, reigning Lamb of God who is in the midst of all in heaven.
What kind of song did they sing? To begin with, it was A Worship Hymn, for they said, “Thou art worthy!” To worship means “to ascribe worth,” and Jesus alone is worthy. It was A Gospel Hymn! “Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us by Thy blood.” Heaven sings about the Cross and the blood! This song was also A Missionary Hymn. Sinners were redeemed “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9). God loves a whole world (John 3:16) and His desire is that the message of redemption be taken to a whole world (Matthew 28:18). The Bible says that people from every nation are praising God before his throne. God's message of salvation and eternal life is not limited to a specific culture, race, or country. Anyone who comes to God in repentance and faith is accepted by him and will be part of his Kingdom. Don't allow prejudice or bias to keep you from sharing Christ with others. 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 prayers of the saints, “Thy kingdom come!” will then be fulfilled. Creation shall then be set free from bondage to sin (Isa. 11:1–10; Rom. 8:17–23), and Christ shall reign in justice and power. We must worship God and praise him for what he has already done, what he is doing now, and what he will do for all who trust in him. When we realize the glorious future that awaits us, we will find the strength to face our present difficulties.
II. v. 12 A SONG OF POWER (ANGEL’S SONG)
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"
The elders were joined by the hosts of angels in heaven who added their words of praise in a loud voice. In the angels’ praise they ascribed power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing to God. John tries to tell us how many angels begin to praise the Lord, but the number was too great for him to fathom. John says it is as many as you can imagine times that many again and many thousands more besides that. “Ten thousand” was the largest single number used in Greek, so “ten thousands of ten thousands” (myriads of myriads) is Apostle’s way of calling them innumerable.
It is interesting to contrast this doxology with the earthly life of Christ.
• His enemies said He was worthy of death (John 19:7), but the angels say He is worthy of praise.
• Men accused Him of working by the power of Satan (Matt. 12:24), but the angels say He is worthy of power.
• He became poor for our sakes (2 Cor. 8:9), but He deserves all riches.
• “The preaching of the cross is foolishness” to sinful man (1 Cor. 1:18), but it is wisdom to the angels.
• On earth, Jesus was “crucified in weakness” (2 Cor. 13:4), but in heaven He is lauded for His power.
• Dishonored on earth, He is honored in glory.
• Made a curse on the cross, He is today both the recipient and bestower of blessing.
Down here, people sing about everything under the sun! In Heaven every song will have the same theme. In Heaven, every song will be about Jesus. Every song will glorify Him; Who He is and what He has done! They lift their voices and sing “Worthy is the Lamb!” The song of Angels in Heaven declares the worth of the Lamb of God. He is the only object of their praise. They lift up His Name because He is worthy to be praised. By the way, Jesus is just as worthy of praise today as He will be when we arrive home in Heaven! He is Lord right now! He is God right now! He is our Redeemer right now! He is worthy of every Amen!”; every “Hallelujah!”; and every “Glory to God!” He is worthy!
We know what it is to have no hope and then to be given a “new song”, the Psalmist King David said, (40:1-3) He heard my cry; He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. BUT the angels, on the other hand, have never had our experience with sin and redemption. We have a redemption song and they only have a song of glory, triumph and victory. You will notice that they do not praise Him for redemption. They cannot for they have never experienced it. They praise Him for Who He is. What a day when all of creation cannot contain itself and begins to praise the Lord Who made it and Who redeemed it. They are not singing this new redemption song because they have been redeemed; they are rejoicing with us! Jesus said, “I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” They have never been given a song like this before! But, what they sing they get exactly right! They declare the worth of the Lamb! They praise Him for Who He is.
III. v. 13 A SONG OF PRAISE (CREATION’S SONG)
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.
After the angels completed their praise, all of creation joined to honor the Lord Jesus Christ. “Every creature” suggests that all creation anticipates the redemption that will come when Christ finally overcomes the enemy and establishes His kingdom. All creation praises God the Father and God the Son; Jesus said in John 5:23 “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” Many people say, “I worship God, but not Jesus Christ.” To ignore Christ is to insult the Father. In heaven, every angel and every raptured saint will honor the Father and the Son and praise them.
John teaches us that Christ is about to open the sealed book and release judgment on the world. Keep in mind the dual purpose of the Tribulation: (1) to punish the nations for their sins, especially the way they have treated Israel, and (2) to purge Israel and prepare a believing remnant to receive Christ when He comes in glory (Revelation 19:11). The inhabitants of the earth are ignorant of this glorious scene in heaven. Just as in the days of Noah, they go on their way, eating and drinking and ignoring the signs and warnings of God. Jesus is coming for the Church and He has already written our song! Then and only then will He break the seals and open the book, and judgment will come. Paul says, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
You see when He was on earth, people did not ascribe glory to Him; He deliberately laid aside His glory for a season in His humiliation.
• He was born in weakness and He died for our weakness; but He is the recipient of all power.
• He became the poorest of the poor and yet He owns all the riches of heaven and earth.
• Men laughed at Him and called Him a fool; yet He is the very wisdom of God.
• He hungered, thirsted, and became weary. Yet today in glory, He possesses all strength.
• On earth, He experienced humiliation and shame as sinners ridiculed and reviled Him. They laughed at His kingship, but now, He has received all honor and glory! And blessing!
• He became a curse for us on the cross, so that we can never be under the curse of the broken Law, He has glory and honor and might!
John tells us that the worship service climaxed with all of the universe praising the Lamb of God and the Father seated on the throne! And then there was a loud “Amen!” from the four living creatures! God’s great eternal plan would now be fulfilled and creation would be set free from the bondage of sin and death. One day the Lamb will break the seals and put in motion events that will eventually lead to His coming to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. And every believer ought to say “Amen!” Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).
Wiersbe, Warren W.: The Bible Exposition Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996, c1989
Wiersbe, Warren W.: Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Copyright © 2006 by Biblesoft
Carr, Dr. Alan: Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Lenoir, NC. “Heaven’s Concert”
Life Application Study Bible Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers
Walvoord, John F.; Zuck, Roy B.; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:946
Keener, Craig S.; InterVarsity Press: The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993, S. Re 5:11
