MADE TO WORSHIP

Part 1 (Revelation 5:9-14)

 

As Revelation 5 opens we find ourselves before the throne of God.  God has a message he wants to unfold but only the lamb is found worthy to bring forth the message.  In the text, the the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders initiate worship.  We find Jesus; the lamb of God is worthy of our worship.  Jesus is declared worthy because of the sacrifice that he made on the cross for our sins. God’s kingdom is proclaimed above all others and we are being summoned to take an active priestly role within it.  The earth is not destroyed but rather it is where God is establishing his reign. Jesus the lamb is declared worthy to rule God's kingdom, He is given the power and authority.  We find this first declared as true by the heavenly characters; living creatures, elders, and angels.  Then every creature in existence echoes the proclamation.

 

9 And they (the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders) sang a new song, saying,

 

“Worthy are you to take the scroll     

and to open its seals, for you were slain,

and by your blood you ransomed people for God     

from every tribe and language and people and nation,

10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,and they shall reign on the earth.”

 

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,

 

12 saying with a loud voice,

 

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honor and glory and blessing!”

 

13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,

 

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

 

14 And the four living creatures said,

 

“Amen!”

 

and the elders fell down and worshiped.