They Sang A New Song
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a
scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a
mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and
open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could
open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was
found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders
said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of
David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Then
I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the
throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had
seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into
all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat
on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the
twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were
holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
And they sang a new song, saying:
“You
are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and
with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and
people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our
God, and they will reign on the earth.”
Then
I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon
thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and
the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy
is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
Revelation 5:1-12
John,
the great apostle and the one Jesus loved, was reduced to tears. In a vision he
received, while in prison, he found himself in God’s throne room as future
events unfolded. In heaven John say God hold up a sealed scroll. He wept as he
observed the glories of God’s presence, he saw no one who could open the scroll
– no one with the power to reveal God’s final revelation and to complete the
concluding chapter in history’s drama.
As
an apostle, John had observed the power of sin in the world. He had witnessed
the life and death of Jesus on earth to conquer sin. He had seen Him ascend to
heaven. But now he was fearful when he saw that no one was worthy to open the
scroll and vanquish sin forever.
However,
an elder approached John and pointed to Someone he
knew. That Someone was Jesus. Jesus is the only One
with the power to take the scroll, open the seals, and complete the story. Soon
John’s tears were dry and millions of angels were proclaiming, “Worthy is the
Lamb.”
Are
you crying? Behold, John’s friend – Jesus. He is worthy. Turn things over to
Him.
The Lamb who died to save us is the Shepherd who lives to lead
us.
Our Daily Bread –