{"id":55211,"date":"2024-08-30T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/?p=55211"},"modified":"2025-02-05T07:51:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T15:51:43","slug":"worthy-is-the-lamb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/worthy-is-the-lamb\/","title":{"rendered":"Worthy Is the Lamb"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Revelation 4\u20135<\/a> provide a vision of what the apostle John saw as he was transported to heaven. The vision consists of a worship service as angels, elders, and creatures surround the throne of God and worship the one who sits upon it. In chapter 5<\/a>, the vision shifts from the one on the throne to the one who is worthy to open the scroll, the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. One of the astonishing elements of this heavenly worship service is that the angels, elders, and creatures from chapter 4<\/a> begin worshipping the Lamb in chapter 5<\/a>! They sing three songs in honor of the Lamb. Here\u2019s how these songs are unpacked in the Holman Commentary<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worship Songs in Honor of the Lamb<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SUPPORTING IDEA:<\/strong> \u201cThe Redemption Song from the Elders.\u201d \u201cThe Eulogy from the Angels,\u201d and then a \u201cSong from the Universe\u201d praise the Lamb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5:9\u201310<\/a>. John now hears the elders\u2014perhaps joined by the living creatures\u2014singing a new song, one with a different focus than their original song (Rev. 4:11<\/a>). If the original song was the \u201cCreation Song from the Elders,\u201d this is the \u201cRedemption Song from the Elders.\u201d This song may be phrased and punctuated as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cYou are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,<\/strong> because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God<\/strong> from every tribe and language and people and nation, [and]<\/strong> you have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,<\/strong> and they will reign on the earth.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The first line of the song answers directly the question of verse 2<\/a>, \u201cWho is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?\u201d The elders respond in the second person, speaking directly to the Lamb (as they had earlier sung to the Creator, 4:11<\/a>). The basis of the Lamb\u2019s worthiness is his willing sacrifice (you were slain<\/strong>) and the result of the sacrifice (with your blood you purchased men for God<\/strong>). The crucifixion of Jesus, although not specifically mentioned, is the reason for his worthiness. The verb purchased <\/strong>was the normal word used for the business transaction of buying (as in Matt. 13:46<\/a>). In a few New Testament passages it describes the effect of Jesus\u2019 death (as in 1 Cor. 6:20<\/a>). His blood given to the point of death was the price of their admission to the kingdom of God (v. 10<\/a>). A similar verb is usually translated redeemed as when slaves were purchased and set free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How far-reaching was the Lamb\u2019s purchase? Persons of every tribe and language and people and nation<\/strong> were included. His redemptive work was not for Jews only, but included representatives from<\/strong> ethnic groups and societies around the world. Today we have a much better understanding than John did of how widely varied human societies are. The worship of the elders anticipated the time when the Great Commission of Christ had reached its fulfillment (Matt 28:19\u201320<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result of purchasing representatives from all the earth\u2019s peoples is that they will be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.<\/strong> This marks a wonderful transformation and fulfillment of what God had told the Israelite people in the days of Moses: \u201cIf you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation\u201d (Exod. 19:5\u20136<\/a>). Throughout the centuries from John\u2019s day until now, the Lamb\u2019s purchased people have been fulfilling this privilege. The apostle Peter also understood this: \u201cBut you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light\u201d (1 Pet. 2:9<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also the future dimension. Lamb\u2019s people one day will reign on the earth<\/strong> with their King. This wonderful time is described fully in Revelation 21\u201322<\/a> with the portrait of the new Jerusalem: \u201cThey will reign for ever and ever\u201d (Rev. 22:5<\/a>; see also 3:21<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5:11\u201312<\/a>. Now John\u2019s perspective pulls back so that he looked and heard<\/strong> something new\u2014the overwhelming vista of thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand<\/strong> (more than one hundred million) of the hosts of heaven. The number for ten thousand was the largest that the Greek language could express, so this is an incalculable multitude. I have tried to picture this scene in my mind as if it occurred in the largest football stadium I can imagine multiplied by one thousand. The throne room and its activities are happening \u201cdown on the playing field.\u201d The many angels<\/strong> have filled the stands. Just as the action on a football field prompts a loud voice,<\/strong> so it is now with the angels. For the only time in all the Bible, angels are declared to be singing (instead of simply speaking). Their song of praise is about the Lamb (third person) rather than to the Lamb (second person). The first line of their song, Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,<\/strong> echoes the language of the \u201cRedemption Song from the Elders.\u201d The second line is a laudatory list of seven aspects involved in the worship of the Lamb. (This extends considerably beyond the three aspects in the worship of God mentioned in 4:11<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n