PRAISING THE LAMB OF GOD
Revelation 5:1-14
5 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon:
5 and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.
6 And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came, and he taketh it out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
10 and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon earth.
11 And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might and honor, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things are in them, heard I saying, Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever.
14 And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped.
In today’s reading, John’s revelation of heaven’s throne room is a striking picture of true praise. The place explodes with worship and adoration for Jesus Christ. Those present—the elders and “myriads of myriads” of angels (Rev. 5:11)—are motivated to sing of their love for Christ, because they know who He is. He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (Rev. 5:9; Rev. 5:12; John 1:29). And He is the Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5), the only one worthy to judge the earth and bring forth its renewal. Jesus is wonderful, and these men and celestial beings cannot resist saying so.
What motivates you to worship? Shouldn’t the reason for lifting our hands and voices be to praise our Savior for who He is? To do that, we must take the time to know Him. Opening the Scriptures only on Sundays and praying sporadically are not enough. We have to commit ourselves to discovering Him through regular Bible study, prayer less focused on self, and service to His kingdom.
Once believers have glimpsed a side of Christ’s character that is bigger and more amazing than they realized before, a yearning to know more develops. They hunger and thirst for God in their lives because only the Lord can satisfy (Matt. 5:6). It is in worship that the believer’s heart is filled.
Praise is part of a cycle: Learn more of God’s character, love Him more deeply, worship and serve Him better, and receive spiritual fulfillment. Amazingly, even as we are satisfied, we crave more of His presence in our life. And so we dig into His Word for more and begin the cycle again.
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