Crown Him!

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!” 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. (Revelation 5:11-14 ESV).

Today’s reading affords a glimpse all the way into the end of time as we see the universal chorus of creation caught up in worship and adoration of the Lamb. First we see an innumerable chorus of angels, “myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,” joining in worship of the Lamb slaughtered for the sin of the world. Although they are not the object of the Lamb’s saving death, still the angels are filled with awe and adoration of the Lamb and his cross. The angels praise the one who was made lower than the angels (cf. Hebrews 2:9) that he might save Adam’s helpless race. With full, celestial voices, the angels are singing: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered.” Then along with heaven’s angels and a redeemed humanity, we see “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing.” No creature will be left out of the praise of the Lamb! All are caught up in worship of Jesus and his cross! One can only imagine what that will be like, and how glorious will be the sound, as with celestial voices we will join with then, “10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). There is a wonderful hymn that you may have sung many times: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name. This hymn is often called the "National Anthem of Christendom ". The lyrics, written by Edward Perronet while he served as a missionary in India, first appeared in the November, 1779 issue of the Gospel Magazine. You can find it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3-SwidavfU. I hope you’ll use this wonderful hymn as a means of inspiration and devotion today. This is the heart of our steady march to Easter during the Lenten season. Sing along for a moment or two and imagine standing before that throne with the myriads of angels. What a great day has been made possible by the sacrifice of our Savior! Crown Him Lord of all today!