Revelation 5 - Choir Practice
Choir practice begins today. Will you sing willingly, or under compulsion?
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Revelation 5 (ESV)
1 Then I 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.
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice,
“Who is worthy to
open the scroll
and break its seals?”
3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able
to open the scroll
or to look into it,
4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
5 And one of the elders said to me,
“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.”
6 And
between the throne and the four living creatures
and among the elders
I saw a Lamb standing,
as though it had been slain,
with seven horns
and with seven eyes,
which are the seven spirits of God
sent out into all the earth.
7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
8 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.
9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“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,
10 and you have made them
a kingdom
and priests
to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 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,
12 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!”
13 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!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!”
and the elders fell down and worshiped.
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Previous DIG DEEPER posts on Revelation
Revelation 5 Summary
John is being given a glimpse into the throne room of God during a very dramatic moment: a scroll, sealed seven times over, which contains God's plan of salvation for His sin-cursed world, has been brought out.
Tragically, nobody in this throne room full of elders and angels is worthy to unseal this scroll and execute the plan of salvation it contains. John weeps at this prospect, because unless the scroll is opened and implemented, there's no hope for humanity.
But then an angel points John's attention to the coming Savior, described as the conquering Lion of Judah who can open the sealed scroll (v5). You can imagine the mighty creature John was expecting to see!
But the creature that appears isn't a powerful predator, rather it's a humble lamb, which even though it looks slain, confidently stands and takes the seal from the One on the throne.
At this a crescendoing doxology (words of praise; we often finish our worship services by singing a doxology) breaks out, starting with those immediately around God's throne, and radiating out until every creature joins in (v13).
Dig Deeper
It's easy to understand that Christians - people redeemed by the blood of this Lamb - will be joyfully singing His praises around God's throne. But John indicates it's far more than just people who will be singing, including every creature in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and in the sea and all that is in them (v13). Imagine the tremendous sound that will be! Birds singing, animals bellering, whales calling out, all praising God at the top of their voice!
And it won't be just some people. This choir isn't limited to just Christians! John's vision here is consistent with Paul's statement that every knee will bow and every tongue confess (Phil. 2:10-11).
But there's a big difference between those who voluntarily sing praises and those who are compelled to against their will!
So know that you will be part of this choir. Which group will you be part of - those eager to sing, or those forced to bow down?
AAA Prayer :
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise (v12)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask God to continue preparing you to joyfully sing His praises in this tremendous choir.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
