Read with Me
Revelation 5:11-12 (NET)
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand – thousands times thousands – all of whom were singing in a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was killed
to receive power and wealth
and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and praise!”
Listen with Me
The song chanted by the four living beings and the twenty-four elders (verses 9 and 10) centered on worship and exaltation of the Lamb. Now that song is continued and added to by an uncountable multitude of angels who encircle the throne of God.
This new verse of the song continues its focus on Jesus, the Lamb of God who was slain, in order to purchase salvation for all mankind. Because of that willing sacrifice, they declared that he was worthy to receive a seven-fold exaltation:
- He is worthy to receive power, a complete restoration of the divine creative and sustaining power He had possessed with the Father since before creation of the universe.
- He is worthy to receive wealth. This is not about earthly wealth such as gold and silver, which are worth nothing in heaven. It is about true riches. Jesus has been given possession of everything in heaven and on earth and under the earth. He is Lord of all.
- He is worthy to receive wisdom. Had emptied himself of his omniscience when He became a real human being, making himself totally dependent on the Father to know what to say and do and when to do it (John 5:19). But now that He had conquered, that complete omniscience, unlimited knowledge and wisdom, was restored to Him.
- He is worthy to receive might. Jesus had emptied Himself of His omnipotence when He became incarnate. But now that He had conquered, that complete omnipotence, unlimited power and might, was restored to him.
- He is worthy to receive honor. Because He had overcome and had completed His mission, every knee will ultimately bow before Him in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth (Philippians 2:9-10).
- He is worthy to receive glory. Jesus had left behind the divine glory that He had in God’s presence since before time began. At the Last Supper, He had prayed that that glory would be restored (John 17:5), and now it was declared that he was worthy of that restoration.
- And He is worthy to receive praise. And not just praise from people, but even from all the heavenly host assembled before God’s throne.
Pray with Me
Father, it is easy to just blow past the verses of this song without really taking the time to dive into what this immense heavenly choir is really saying. Even they are overwhelmed by what Jesus accomplished during His mission into our world, sparking powerful praise and worship. How can we do less? Help me, Lord, to continue to focus on Who Jesus is and on what He has accomplished, so that I can join in the heavenly chorus of praise, now and forever. Amen.