It’s worship time again friends; the day of the Lord, the Sabbath day! So let’s get together and do just that nuh, for it doesn’t matter where we are, in a majestic cathedral, a rundown shack, or under a mango tree, once two or three of us are gathered together in Jesus’ name, then we can have church, for He will be in our midst, that’s His faithful promise. (Matt. 18:20) And all God’s people said a loud and proud: ‘Praise the Lord! Bless His Holy Name!’ But sadly, many of us still can’t gather physically because of the pandemic affecting our world, but we can certainly gather by technological means and express our faith and receive God’s confidence and blessings.
So let’s get started with today’s worship song titled ‘The Revelation Song,’ written by Jennie Lee Riddle with lyrics adapted from Revelation 5 of the New Testament. It’s new to me, but it seems to have been around for a while. And am I ever amazed when I check out some of these songs on You Tube and see the number of different versions and how long some of them have been around and I’ve never heard of them. Now today we going to do an up-tempo version of ‘The Revelation Song,’ because it’s a song of much praise and thanks and thus calls for an up-tempo mood. (smile)
So in sweet and soulful harmony, let’s raise our voices to heaven in a sincere sacrifice of praise. ‘Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain, Holy, holy is He. Sing a new song, to Him who sits on, Heaven’s mercy seat. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, Holy, holy is He. Sing a new song, to Him who sits on, Heaven’s mercy seat (Chorus: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty Who was and is and is to come. With all creation I sing, praise to the King of kings, You are my everything, and I will, adore You) Clothed in rainbows, of living colour, Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder. Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be, To You: the only wise King
(Chorus: Holy, holy, holy….) Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder, At the mention of Your name. Jesus, Your name is power, breath and living water, Such a marvelous mystery. Oh, You’re worthy, mystery You are worthy (Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come. With all creation I sing, praise to the King of kings, You are my everything, and I will adore You, I will adore You…. With all creation I sing, praise to the King of kings, You are my everything, and I will adore You, I will adore You….’
Oh friends, that was a wonderful rendition of such amazing truth, for Jesus is indeed all those things…in fact He is our EVERYTHING! Consequently, He needs to be adored and revered and sincerely worshipped. He’s done so much for us, that anything less than complete adulation is a sin! (smile) And since the sentiments of the song are adapted from Revelation 5, I guess it’s only right that we hear some of the original words. This is where John in his revelation saw God the Father sitting on His throne in heaven with a book in His right hand, sealed with seven seals. And an angel, ‘a strong angel,’ John says, was proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?’ (Rev. 5:1-2)
Now according to the scholars, ‘The book is a scroll with seven messages, each of which has been sealed with the authority of God. The breaking of the seals would reveal the message inside each part of the scroll. Scrolls normally had writing on only one side. This scroll contains the Tribulation judgements of God (cf. ch.6; Ezek. 2:9-10; Dan. 8:26; 12:4) But unfortunately no man in heaven or on earth, or below the earth was found worthy to open it, or even look at it, and that brought tears to John’s eyes. (Rev. 5:3-4)
As the scholars confirm, ‘Only one with the proper authority could open the book by loosing or removing its seals (cf. Is. 29:11). The question is ‘Who has the right to judge the world?’ – that is, to reveal what is hidden in the scroll and to execute what is written.’ But then, one of the elders said to John: ‘Weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed (overcome) to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.’ Then John saw the slain Lamb in the midst of it all, with seven horns and seven eyes corresponding to the seven Spirits of God sent forth into the earth. Then the lamb came and took the book out of the hand of him that sat on the throne. (Rev. 5:5-7)
Oh friends, hear the scholars: ‘5:5-7. Christ is presented both as a Lion (Ruler) from the tribe of Judah (cf. Gen. 49:10) and as a Lamb (Redeemer; cf. Is. 59:7; John 1:29). The Root of David shows a messianic connection with the Davidic covenant (cf. 2 Sam. 7:16; Is. 11:1) and Christ’s right to the throne of Israel. The vision of Christ here brings together the twofold aspect of His first and second comings – His work as Saviour and as Sovereign. Christ has the right to judge, possess, and rule the earth because of His submission to the death of the cross (cf. Phil. 2:8-11).’
Now that’s why He’s our EVERYTHING! But the wonderful part of John’s vision is when the Lamb takes the Book, overwhelming thanks and praises break out in heaven as the four beasts and four and twenty elders fall down before the Lamb with their harps and bowls of incense – the prayers of the saints. ‘And they sung a new song, saying, ’Thou art worthy to take the book (scroll), and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred (tribe), and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on earth.’ (Rev. 5:9-10)
But mih people, that was only the beginning of the celebrations. After that John heard angels and elders around the throne, in their thousands and ten thousands, and thousand thousands ‘Saying with a loud voice; Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing…’ And furthermore, he heard every creature in the creation saying, ‘Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts (living creatures) said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.’ (Rev. 5:12-14)
And we think we can worship and party down here! Steups! Heaven is where the real party people are! (smile) Yes friends, with the wonderful Triune God of Father, Son and Holy Spirit that we claim to worship, much praise and thanks should always be in our hearts and mouths! Please have a blessed and glorious day thanking and praising our Triune God! Much LOVE!
…let everything that hath breath…praise the Lord… (Ps.150:6)
SCRIP-BITS 