When Heaven Sings

 

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, reach 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.” 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 5:7-14 ESV).

 

Today our glimpse into heaven’s throne room closes with a finale of praise. The praises from the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures swell to include “thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand” angels. Their praises then join with those of “every creature” in heaven and throughout creation.

 

We are invited to join all of heaven and earth in giving praise and honor to “him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.” All three persons of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—work in us to make this possible. We know that God the Father created us to give worship to him. Jesus redeemed us by his blood to be a unique body together in the giving of our worship. By his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus has purchased us “from every tribe and language and people and nation.” He has made us “to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.” Jesus builds bridges and creates bonds between people who have learned to raise dividing walls.

 

Today the Holy Spirit moves churches to become places where the gifts of unity, hospitality, and love, purchased by Jesus’ blood, are felt, experienced, and practiced. Within and through the witness of church communities, walls should come tumbling down, and bonds of unity between peoples of all nations and languages should be made anew. Dare we do anything less in our daily lives!