A Revelation Invitation

And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 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. 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,
     and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
          and they shall reign on the earth.”			          (Revelation 5:7-10)

Our champion has appeared! Our rescuer has arrived! The Lion of the tribe of Judah takes the scroll from the hand of the one who is seated on the throne. Our future is secure because this Lion, this King, is sovereign over the opening of the scroll’s seals and the forces that are released and events that are revealed. We are no match for these powers. Without help we will be tossed about by the currents of history and the calamities that they bring. Thankfully, our redeemer has taken command.

In an ironic twist the Lion is revealed to be a Lamb, a lamb that was slain … yet stands! Our champion won his victory through weakness. The Lion became our redeemer when he was slaughtered as a Lamb. Yes, he stands. Yes, he was vindicated when he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. But it is through weakness that we are rescued. His victory on the cross is what makes him worthy. All creation worships the Lamb as its redeemer. God’s people bow down before him in praise because he has paid our ransom.

The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders join together in a great chorus to sing a new song. That’s right. The Lamb has made everything new. Jesus has changed everything. Salvation has come to a world hopelessly enslaved to sin. The Lamb made his ransomed people into a nation, a kingdom, the eternal kingdom that the prophets foretold. He has given them a shared and noble purpose—to serve as priests to our God. And this priesthood of believers shall reign on the earth. How will this be accomplished that his oppressed and persecuted people will reign? In the same way that Jesus ascended his throne—through suffering. But reign they shall.

The twenty-four elders fall before the Lamb holding golden bowls full of incense whose smoke is the pleasing aroma of the prayers of God’s people. He has heard their prayers. They will soon see how mightily he and all the forces of heaven will fight for them in response to those prayers. The Lamb had triumphed before and will do so again. What a comfort knowing that heaven and earth are so intimately connected. Each is responding to the other. Jesus is no spectator; neither are we. Jesus was slain as a ransom; we have been made a kingdom of priests to serve our sovereign God.

There is much rejoicing when the Lamb arrives on the scene. Despair becomes hope. Tears are transformed into celebration. We have a champion in whom we have confidence of victory. Break out the harps!

Lamb of God, you are worthy. You are worthy of our praise. You are worthy to rule over all the earth. I am grateful that you were willing to be slain as my ransom. I am ready to serve both God and his creation as his priest. May I never doubt your sovereignty over all things no matter how much tribulation I experience before your return. Amen.