Revelation 5:6-14: a reflection

6I saw in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle 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 out into all the earth. 7Then he came, and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, 10and made us kings and priests to our God; and we will reign on the earth.” 11I looked, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. The number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands, 12saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!” 13I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!” 14The four living creatures said, “Amen!” Then the elders fell down and worshiped.

In the throne room of heaven, John sees a Lamb standing, looking as though it had been slain. It is a striking image: the One at the center of heaven's worship bears the marks of sacrifice. This Lamb, Christ, takes the scroll from the hand of God, and immediately the living creatures and elders fall down before him, holding harps and bowls of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. Heaven erupts in worship of the slain Lamb.

And they sing a new song of redemption: you are worthy to take the scroll, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and made them a kingdom and priests to serve our God. The worthiness of the Lamb is grounded in his sacrifice, and the song celebrates a redemption that reaches to every corner of the earth. Then the circle of praise widens, first thousands upon thousands of angels, then every creature in heaven and earth, all joining to ascribe honor and glory to the Lamb.

This scene lifts your eyes to what worship is truly about and where history is heading. At the center of all things stands the Lamb who was slain, worthy of every honor because he redeemed a people from every nation by his blood. Your own prayers, the incense in those golden bowls, rise before him. And you are part of the great multitude being gathered from every tribe and tongue to praise him forever. When your worship feels small, remember the scene in heaven, and join, even now, the song that all creation will one day sing: worthy is the Lamb.

Lord Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, all heaven falls before you and sings that you are worthy, for by your blood you ransomed people from every tribe and nation. Thank you that my prayers rise before you like incense, and that I am part of the multitude you are gathering to praise you forever. Lift my eyes to your worthiness, and let me join, even now, the song that all creation will sing: worthy is the Lamb. Amen.