I absolutely love Revelation Song (written by Jennie Lee Riddle, made popular by Kari Jobe & Phillips, Craig, & Dean) and can’t do it justice by trying to explain how beautiful I think it is. What I can say is that what I appreciate most about it is its use of the Scriptures found in Revelation 4 & 5. These two chapters came up in my devotional reading today. That someone was able to put music to the words “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, holy, holy is He…” and make it sound GOOD (really good) is nothing short of amazing to me. It goes beyond my non-musical self’s level of understanding and I’m thankful that God gave someone the inspiration and ability to put these words to music. But music is not the first thought I had.
When I read Revelation 4 & 5 my first thought is of the MAJESTY of God. The Lord God Almighty & the Lamb are both praised in ways the earthly world just can’t get a handle on. As beautiful as Revelation Song is, it will still pale in comparison to that revelation scene when we see God the Father & God the Son for who they really are. There are some things we can learn about them by looking at the songs of Revelation 4 & 5.
1. We can learn more about the ATTRIBUTES of God. Rev 4:8-11.
8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE Lord GOD ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS, AND IS, AND IS TO COME.”9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
· God is Holy
· God is the Almighty
· God is Eternal
· God alone is Worthy of all glory, honor, & power
· God is Creator & Sustainer of all things.
2. We can learn more about the ACTIONS of the Son. Revelation 5:9-10.
9 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
· Christ alone is worthy to execute judgment & justice (take the scroll & open its seals) because:
· He was sacrificed by God & gave Himself for God,
· To buy (redeem) people of every kind for God through His own blood,
· In order to make them to be citizens, priests, & servants in God’s Kingdom,
· And these people will reign through Christ on the earth
3. We can learn more about the ADULATION they are due. Revelation 5:12-14.
12 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
To this I add my hearty (and humble) “AMEN”.
Though it must be surmised, there is one more thing I think we can see here-
4. We can learn more about the ALLEGIANCE we owe the LORD & the LAMB.
- 1st to REPENT
When Isaiah saw the Lord “high & lifted up” (Is. 6), his first thought was of how sinful he was. We can’t read a passage like Revelation 4 & 5 or Isaiah 6 without seeing our own sinfulness in light of the holiness of God. And having seen ourselves for who we are, we should realize we are ruined, unclean, & undone unless we have his cleansing forgiveness.
- 2nd to RECLAIM
I saw the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie (On Stranger Tides) the other night & I’m reminded of one scene here. All the parties had converged on the Fountain of Youth (Blackbeard’s party, the British privateers, & the Spanish soldiers) and as they met for the last showdown one of the British soldiers stood up, held high the British flag in front of his body & claimed the ground for the King of England. He was immediately shot & killed (someone said take note of that man’s bravery). We are to be like that- proclaiming and claiming this world for the Lord through the Gospel of His Kingdom, no matter the cost. I know we won’t REDEEM it or RESTORE it, that’s Christ’s doing; but we can be part of it by reclaiming it for His Kingdom.
- 3rd to RULE
I don’t know when nor how this aspect of Kingdom living comes to full force, but I do know that it was inaugurated in the Person & Work of Jesus Christ. There is some aspect of the believing life through the Holy Spirit that allows us to do what we were made to do- exercise dominion over this world. When God made man & woman in His image, He made them to rule the world, to be fruitful in it, to fill it, and to subdue it (Gen 1:26-28). Praising God for this, Psalm 8:6-8 says- “You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.” (For a wonderful sermon on Psalm 8, hear “Man- Crowned with Glory” by Dr. Daniel Streett)
Believers have their rights to dominion restored in Jesus Christ. We are never more of the person God made us to be than when we rule in Jesus’ name.
