Message
A Glimpse at the Throne Room
True Worship
Revelation 5:8-14
03-24-19
Review
What will it be like when we meet God upon His Throne? We have tried to imagine what this will be like. We have some things recorded for us in Scripture that give us a sense of what it will be like, but for the most part we don’t know. In Revelation chapters 1, 4, and 5, we have a vivid description of not just the Throne Room, but of God Himself as the Triune Creator of the Universe. But even with this grand description, we feel inadequate to know what it will be like. The Alpha and Omega, the One who is self-existent eternally, the One who has all power to create from nothing by a spoken word and able to destroy it in the same way sits upon the throne. Also, we have seen the seven aspects of God the Holy Spirit, and we have seen God the Son, or as Jesus likes to be called, Son of Man.
When it is time for things to be accomplished, we see that God will hold out the seven sealed scroll of our inheritance in his right hand of power and control. But it can only be opened by the One who is worthy. Why is this important? Why does John begin to weep when at first no one was found worthy to open the scroll? Well, simply put, if there is no One worthy to open the scroll, if Jesus is nowhere to be found, the world will be hopelessly bound to an eternity separated from God.
Without someone who is worthy to open the scroll, there will be no eternal inheritance for the believer, there will be no final defeat for sin and evil, basically, there is no hope. Without someone who is worthy, the scroll will remain sealed and judgment for sin and wickedness will take place. Without someone who is worthy, the scroll’s content of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the eternal city, and the new heaven and new earth will not take place.
Fortunately, one of the Elders in the Throne Room points out the presence of something coming out from between the Throne, the four Living Ones, and the twenty-four Elders. It is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, names John would instantly recognize as Jesus. When John looks, he describes what he sees as “a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain.” Jesus Christ pictured as the Lamb of God, who was slain for the sins of people, yet He rose again and now stands alive in the Throne Room of God. Jesus is the One who has perfect power, perfect presence, and is worthy to take the scroll from the Father’s hand and not only remove its seals but execute the content of the scroll.
When this passing of the scroll takes place in the Throne Room, still some day in the future, it will signal the beginning of 7 years of tribulation like the world has never seen, followed by the great Battle of Armageddon where Christ conquers, the Marriage of the Lamb with His bride, the church, a thousand years of Christ’s rule, followed by a new Heaven and a new Earth! Praise God, as we look forward to that day.
Today, I would like to finish up our series on “A Glimpse at the Throne Room, by seeing the response to Jesus, the Lamb, the worthy One, taking the scroll from the hand of God.
Revelation 5:8-14
8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they 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.
So, what happens when the Lamb takes the seven sealed scroll from the hand of God?
Worship the Lamb (v. 8)
Spontaneous praise breaks out in the Throne Room when the Lamb takes the scroll from the Father’s hand. It is like there is a pent-up anticipation for this day to take place. Everyone is waiting for the day the seven-sealed scroll can be opened. Everyone in Heaven and everyone who enjoys a faith relationship with the Father today, looks forward to this with great anticipation. Because of this moment, there is a crescendo of praise the begins in the Throne Room and spreads to all of His creation.
The four Living Ones and the twenty four elders fall prostrate before the Lamb, the One who is worthy. Keep in mind that the twenty-four Elders represent all who have put their faith and trust in the Lamb and the four Living Ones represent all of God’s creation. The Lamb who has purchased redemption has taken the scroll and so everyone breaks out in worship of the One who is worthy.
Each of the twenty-four Elders have a harp. Harps are usually pictured as instruments of worship in Scripture and interestingly enough, they are found in prophetic passages, like this one. The twenty-four Elders each have “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” You may remember that in the Tabernacle and Temple, the priests had the incense altar that stood directly in front of the curtain to the Holy of Holies, the place of God’s presence. A priest would daily go into the Temple and light the incense during the time of evening prayers.
In fact, you may remember from Luke chapter one, the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Zachariah and Elizabeth were elderly and had no children. Zachariah was a priest and it was his turn to light the incense in the Temple. While Zachariah was lighting the incense, people gathered outside to pray, and the incense smoke was to represent the prayers of the saints ascending and wafting into the Holy of Holies, into the very presence of God.
Luke 1:9-10
According to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
Of course, if you remember the story, this is where the angel told Zachariah that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a child and they were to name him John. Zachariah did not believe the angel and Zachariah became mute for his disbelief until John the Baptist was born.
But the point I am trying to make is simply that the incense burned on the incense altar in the Temple represented the prayers of the saints. In the Throne Room, the twenty-four Elders have golden bowls full of incense, representing the prayers of the saints. What a beautiful picture of the prayers of believers throughout the ages that have ascended into the presence of God and now as the Elders fall prostrate before God, they are offered in worship to Him. The promised redemption of all things is now going to be fulfilled. Many times, we pray for the final redemption of all things and here in the Throne Room, in worship to God, these prayers are offered to Him in worship. This spontaneous outbreak of worship results in some powerful music also. A new song it says in verse 9.
Sing a New Song about the Lamb (vv. 9-10)
“They sang” is probably referring to just the twenty-four elders as we have nowhere recorded that angels sing. We often portray them as singing in the Christmas narrative, but the text only refers to rejoicing and speaking, not singing. But that really doesn’t matter whether they sing or not, worship is about so much more than singing as we will see here in a moment. The twenty-four Elders sing a “new song” our text says.
Notice what the new song is about. It has nothing to do with something angels would sing about. They don’t receive redemption. It is all about the redemption of human beings from sin by the shed blood of the Lamb. Look at what is being sung in verses 9 and 10 again.
"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, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
The Lamb is worthy. He is worthy to take the scroll and open its seals because He “ransomed” people. Ransom is a rich NT word in the original language of Greek, ἀγοράζω {ag-or-ad'-zo}. It means to redeem or buy back. The idea of slaves being purchased in the market place and then set free. By the shed blood of Jesus, people of every descent, every language, every race, and every culture can be ransomed. We have been sold out to the enemy, but through the blood of Jesus, we are ransomed back into the family of God. We are made a kingdom of priests and will one day reign with Jesus! What powerful theological truths are conveyed in this new song of redemption.
This new song is a song of redemption. It is a song that speaks clearly about sinners receiving forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ and being restored to God through their faith in Jesus Christ. What an awesome song that is being sung by the representatives of all the saints of God, the Elders in the Throne Room.
It may be that all the saints in Heaven join in this new song. We aren’t told that but think of the possibility that billions of believers throughout the ages who are in Heaven, along with the believers who have recently been raptured into Heaven, may all join in as the twenty-four elders sing the New Song of Redemption. Get this, it is a song about the blood of Christ, a subject some congregations today in our world shy away from today. It is a song about our part in the kingdom. It is a song about the priesthood of the believer. It is a song about reigning with Jesus Christ. What a powerful song of worship. This leads to more worship.
Praise the Attributes of the Lamb (vv. 11-12)
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, 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!"
As all of Heaven joins the worship, John looks around and sees not only the twenty-four Elders, the four Living Ones, but more angels than he could count.
A myriad is the Greek word μυριάς (murias), which as a number is ten thousand. Thousands is the Greek word χιλιάς (chilias) is the number one thousand. Both in are in plural. So, the idea being conveyed is that the angels were innumerable. Ten thousands of ten thousands and thousands of thousands is a number of angels that is countless. So, what are the innumerable angels, the four Living Ones, and the twenty-four Elders doing?
They are saying, probably in unison, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" This great host of angels with the Living Ones and Elders with a loud voice ascribe praise for the sevenfold attributes of redemption. Once again, the emphasis of worship taking place is on Christ’s death providing perfect redemption for sinners. Jesus is worthy of praise and worthy to open the scrolls because of what He has done to save us. Look at each of the aspects of praise being given.
~ Power. Power is the Greek word δύναμις (dunamis), where we get our word dynamite. It means miraculous power, might, or strength. Because of the work of Jesus on the cross of Calvary for you and me, Jesus is worthy to have all power. This power will be evident in the opening of the seven seals and His conquering the anti-Christ at the Battle of Armageddon, and His reigning with a rod of iron during the millennium. Jesus receives all power.
~ Wealth. Colossians 1:17 tells us that all things are under the control and sustainability of Jesus Christ. All things belong to Him.
~ Wisdom. We are told in 1 Corinthians 3:19 that even the wisest things we can come up with is still in the category of foolish in God’s spectrum of wisdom.
~ Might. The word ἰσχύς (ischus) means ability, force, strength, or might. It is an inner force that allows our Lord to completely do anything He wants to.
~ Honor. Means to ascribe value or worth of something. Certainly, the Lamb of God has great worth and value as the One who has ransomed us with His blood.
~ Glory. This means that all the characteristics and attributes of Jesus are brought into view through our exoneration of them in our praise of Him.
~ Blessing. Blessing is simply the favor of God being shown to others.
Jesus, the Lamb, because of His sacrificial work is worthy of all power, all wealth, all wisdom, all strength, all honor, all glory, and all blessing. Jesus is deserving of all praise. By now, the Throne Room must have been very noisy with all of these voices of angels, Living Ones, and Elders proclaiming with a loud voice the praises of God. But it doesn’t end there. Look at what all creation does in verses 13-14.
All Creation Worship God and the Lamb (vv. 13-14)
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!" And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.
All creation enters into worship at this point. It is not just those in the Throne Room, the Elders, the Living Ones, and the myriads of angels, but it is believers all over heaven. It is every created being in Heaven that joins in worship. Our text refers to the created beings that are on the earth, under the earth, and in the sea. I believe that this must be referring to animals because the people on earth at this point are not saved because the rapture has just taken place. Since it includes the sea, I propose that this is referring to all the animal kingdom. We have other texts of Scripture that speak of all created animals giving praise to God.
Psalm 14:1-10
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! 3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. 6 And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! 9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! 10 Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!
Psalm 150:
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!
Thus, all of creation praises the Lord. What are they saying in verse 13?
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"
Once again, the attributes of the Lamb are being exalted. Verse 14 tells us that the four Living Ones shout “Amen” or truly or may it be so. The Elders are falling down in worship of the Lamb. Can you imagine all this? When the Lamb takes the seven-sealed scroll from the hand of God, all of heaven and earth break out in spontaneous praise and worship. Why? Jesus is worthy to open the scroll. The believer’s redemption is complete, and restoration of all things will happen soon after.
Conclusion
This is what true worship looks like. Whether we are singing a song, talking to others, giving an offering, listening to someone teach or preach, working at our jobs, fishing on the lake, or whatever we are doing, we should be exalting the attributes of our Savior. Our hearts should be grasping the words of the songs we sing and exalting Jesus. We should be humble and submissive to what the Lord has for us. We should focus our praise on the ransom that was paid. We should celebrate our salvation, not just on Sunday, but every day.
Our lives should be lived out in worship to Jesus Christ because He alone is worthy of all our praise. Other people should hear our praise and know that we attribute all that we are and have to our Savior.
Psalm 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Listen, we are not supposed to wait until we get to Heaven to give praise and worship to our God. Our lives should be a megaphone of praise to the One who has saved us. The words of our mouth should bless God, not be full of cursing. Our actions should please God, not be self-serving. Our thoughts should be focused on God, not how we can satisfy our own lusts. Is your life one of praise to our God? Do you love Him supremely, above all else? Is your life characterized by true worship?