Meditation Mondays: Revelation 5:8-14: Responding to the Worthiness and Authority of Christ

8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever. (Rev 5:8-14 NKJV)

Commentary

This is a magnificent picture of worship. The Lamb, who is Christ victorious has taken the scroll (8) symbolizing His authority over heaven and earth. This is an authority Jesus announced to His disciples before His ascension (Matt. 28:18). And in response to Christ's divine authority, everyone worships.

First, we see the 24 elders who represent the saints worship and declare their new position in Christ; that of kings and priests of God to visibly reign on the earth.

Second, we see the cherubim and the multitude of angels join in the song. Together these numbered 'ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands' in other words, a lot.

After they praised Christ, every creature in heaven, on earth, and under the earth all joined in praise.

Meditation Point

Every person ever created will respond to the worthiness and authority of Christ. Some to eternal life and some to eternal damnation.