Revelation 5:8-14
A New Song
What are you passionate about? Webster’s dictionary defines “passion” as “intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction.”[i] What is it that drives you? What do you feel so intensely about that it seems to make life worth living? What is it that you do that is like “the wind beneath your wings” and gives you great joy and happiness?
Have you found something that is worth doing that allows you to become almost self-forgetful as you do it? It has been said that if you love what you are doing, it’s almost as if you don’t have to work at it; you love it that much.
Passion is one of the missing elements in the younger generations of our day. But even older generations wrestle with questions about what helps them to focus on some aspect of life with intensity. One of the greatest tragedies in life is to live without passion and purpose. But in a beautiful vision of heaven, Revelation 5 shows believers how to be passionate and purposeful. And in the words of an old hymn, “… not for the years of time alone, but for eternity!” Who or what is worthy of that kind of passion?
Introduction: A Review of Revelation 4 and 5
In the last message, we studied the first part of Revelation 5. There we saw that the most significant question is this:
Who is worthy to open the scroll and break the seals? No man in heaven, on earth or under the earth was found worthy. And this was a source of agonizing grief to the Apostle John. But then an elder told John that One was found worthy: the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ.
In today’s message from verses 8 through 14, we can answer two important questions: Why is Jesus worthy to open the scroll? And how should we respond to Christ, the Worthy One?
In the context of Revelation 5 and following, to open the scrolls means to right the wrongs of this world, in final judgment. In Romans 12:19, Paul reminded the members of the congregation at Rome, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord” (alluding to Deuteronomy 32:41). To help us to patiently obey this command, it would help us to know when the Lord will take His vengeance, righting the wrongs. The answer to that question begins in Revelation 5 with the Worthy One who opens the scroll and breaks the seals. So let’s ask why He is worthy.
Why is Jesus Christ Worthy to Open the Scroll and Break the Seals? vs.9-10
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
As you can see, verses 9 and 10 answer the question plainly using the example of the elders. When the Lamb takes the scroll of judgments, God’s people respond with excitement! They sing a new song!
- Christ is worthy because He died on the cross for our sins, redeeming repentant people out of every tribe, language, people and nation.
Jesus Christ paid the deadly penalty for your sins. Let that sink in. The One who made you a human being by giving you life brought you to Himself by giving His life. John 1:4 tells you that “All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.” He is our Creator. But the elders adore Him because Jesus is also the Redeemer.
Describing the results of Christ’s dying on the cross, the Apostle Paul explained, “Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: 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” (Philippians 2:9-11). Every knee will bow; why not bow your knee today?
Your Savior, your Substitute, died the sinners’ deaths that every one of us deserved. He did so to redeem us from the power of sin. Jesus was put to death, but He rose again from the dead. He is worthy of our passionate worship and praise. To worship is “to show honor or reverence.” In essence, think of the word as “worth ship;” you honor the worthy Lord with your worship. Imagine what it will be like when we gather around the throne of God! People from every tribe, every language, every nation will gather to praise the Lord and the Lamb. Thinking this way stirs a passion for missions – preaching Christ and making disciples throughout the world.
In Psalm 40:3, David wrote, “And He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” If He has put a new song in your mouth, then use your song to praise Him!
- Christ is worthy because He has made His people a kingdom of priests who shall reign on the earth.
Jesus Christ grants His people a privileged position. Let’s sing about our Savior who gives us significance. About the parallel passage in Revelation 1:6, Paige Patterson commented, “The saints are not only forgiven but also are vested with significance. They are made into a kingdom of priests. This priesthood is not a rugged individualism boasting of its “right” to do or to think whatever the individual desires. Rather, there exists a kingdom of priests, and to have a kingdom, there must be a king.”[ii] Every believer is a priest to God – having immediate access to His throne. And one day, we shall reign with Him! Let’s sing this new song.
How Should We Respond to Jesus Christ, the Worthy One? vs. 8, 9
- Weep no more! vs.5
Jesus Christ will come to judge the earth and take care of righting all the wrongs of this world. Make much of His grace and not of evil.
- Embrace Him as your Worthy Lord and Savior, giving glory to God
Turn to Romans chapter 4. Paul explained Abraham’s saving faith this way: “[Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:20-25). Expressing his own faith, the Apostle Paul wrote, “…I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). Paul was persuaded, and he became passionate with a purpose. Would you sing this new song with us?
- Rejoice in singing to Him
According to verse 8, the elders’ worship included the use of harps for music. Whether you can play chords on a musical instrument, or just use your own vocal chords, let us passionately give ourselves to praising God. Let’s sing the new song.
- Proclaim His majestic work: paying the penalty and granting us privileges
It’s important to note that the elders not only embraced Christ, they also expressed their worship. They wanted to testify to all that the Lamb paid the penalty for their sins and gave them a privileged position. We ought to do the same today.
- Exercise the privileges of a believer
And speaking of those privileges, you and I ought to exercise the privilege of prayer today. Look at the way that the Lord regards our prayers in Revelation chapters 5 and 8. He is gathering our prayers because they are like delightful incense to Him. And one day, He will act upon these many prayers in the final judgment.
Prayers Are Like Incense to God
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight” (Proverbs 15:8). “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). One commentator wrote, “Just as incense is a sweet savor in human nostrils, so the supplications of God’s people have always been sweet to the God of all creation. The bowls full of the incense, which are the prayers of the saints, are an indication that the Lamb is the answer to the most fervent heartfelt prayers of the people of God.”[iii]
Think of all the saints of all the ages who have claimed God’s promises and clung to them. How will those prayers be answered? Paul explained it this way to the members of the Corinthian congregation:
“For all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him [Christ] Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now He which establishes us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest [guarantee] of the Spirit in our hearts.” (2 Corinthians 1:20-22).
We have an application of these gathered prayers in Revelation 6:10, “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10) This “how long prayer” appeals for the Lord to defeat the devil and destroy this corrupt world system. These “how long prayers” can be found through the Scriptures. Consider for instance, Psalm 6:3, 74:10, 94:3,4 just to name a few.
Bear this in mind when you pray Matthew 6:10, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven” remember that the Lord stores up your prayers. And one day, He will answer those prayers in righteous fury.
We will return to this theme when we come to Revelation 8:3-4. Suffice it to say that the Lord will answer your prayers. It is entirely appropriate to ask, “How long?” but rest assured that Jesus Christ, the meek and mighty Lamb, will answer those prayers. As we sing, “Christ is sufficient”[iv] remember the words, “Come to us, Lord; right ev’ry wrong; Soon the redeemed will join heaven’s song.”
So are you passionate? Do you have a purpose? Is your passionate purpose the one described in Revelation 5? Today, if you will join the heavenly chorus – embracing Christ by faith and expressing your joyous worship – you will find a passion the stretches from here to eternity. Sing the new song!
Doxology from Revelation 5
Here is the Lion of Judah who rises; this Root of David has conquered them all
He takes the scroll from the Heavenly Father: scroll of the judgments of what must befall
This is the Lamb who was slain and has risen; perfect in power, He rises to reign
He has the sevenfold Spirit upon Him; He takes the scroll as His right and domain
Sing a new song of the Lamb who is worthy, honoring Him with their song that declares:
Worthy are You! Take the scroll of the judgments; You are the One! For our sins You were slain
Your blood has ransomed us from ev’ry nation: made us a kingdom of priests who shall reign
Thousands and thousands of angels rejoicing, join with the elders to worship Your name
Worthy, so worthy the Lamb who was slaughtered, worthy of blessing and praising and fame
Worthy of honor and power and glory, worthy of wisdom and riches and might
Worthy of all of the praise from Your creatures, bowing before You in fear and delight
Worthy, so worthy, the Lord who is reigning: ruling o’er all from His heavenly throne
Worthy, so worthy, the Lamb who has risen, by His great power, He made us His own
Blessing and honor and glory and power unto the Lord and the Lamb for all men
We worship them with our praises forever, God lives forever and ever, Amen!
— Pastor Gordon Dickson, Calvary Baptist Church, Findlay, Ohio, www.cbcfindlay.org
[i] Passion, Merriam-Webster Dictionary, accessed at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passion
[ii] Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 61.
[iii] Ibid, 168.
[iv] Chris Anderson, “Christ Is Sufficient” accessed at https://www.churchworksmedia.com/product/christ-is-sufficient-free/