A Song Worth Joining
"with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.'" Rev. 5:9b
The captioned verse from Revelation 5 is part of a song the four living creatures (beings) and the twenty-four elders are singing as they accompany themselves with harps. In fact, we are told this is a new song. It is a song that has never been sung before this occasion. Let's be reminded of the occasion that caused this song to burst forth on the lips of those in attendance in the room.
In John's vision he got to peak into the throne room of the universe where he observes a scroll with seven seals. The tension is high because an angel is loudly asking for a qualified person to step forward and break the seals and open the scroll. John is weeping because if there is no one qualified for the task then the content must be very important. Unfortunately, there is no one in the whole universe who is worthy or qualified to break the seals and open the scroll. Then one of the elders tells him to stop crying and look more closely. Then John notices:
"a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne"
When the lamb takes the scroll in hand an amazing scene unfolds. The four living beings and the 24 elders grab their harps and they begin to sing. As they sing and play they also hold golden bowls containing all the prayers of God's people that have ever been prayed. Despite being very busy with their harps and holding bowls they are so overcome by the presence of the lamb they fall down while singing this new song.
As the living creatures and elders sang, millions of angels joined the choir. My knees grow week and my eyes fill with tears as I try to envision what it was like to be part of this amazing choral production. Then John recorded a future event when we all will get to join the choir.
"I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying..."
The majesty and the enormity of this worship service captures our attention. A deep longing to soon join in, wells up within us. But wait, it is easy to miss the reason this is such a great worship service. It is because the blood of Jesus has purchased the lives of every person from every tribe, language group, people group and nation that has ever existed and that will ever exist.
One of the verses of the song says:
"with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation."
And the really good news is, those of us who have secured our place in the choir have the amazing privilege of telling the Good News to anyone who has not yet heard that their ransom has been paid in full.
And that my friends is why we are laser-focused on making disciples across the street and around the world.
