Heavenly Hymns
Heaven’s endless worship & ceaseless praise centres on the worthiness of the Lord God & the Lamb.
There is constant movement in the worship. Living creatures encircling the throne & the elders bowing facedown, casting crowns.
Worship of the Lord God Almighty is all encompassing involving all aspects of our being – spirit, soul & body.
It is enhanced by movement (freedom) – the movement in our hearts accompanied by movement in our bodies.
Please note the most ancient form of prayer & praise is the raising of the hands. SELAH
These are insights gained from the first 2 heavenly hymns of Revelation chapters 4 & 5.
In the third hymn we see the attention shift to worship of Jesus, the Lamb of God & Lion of Judah.
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,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10
Here the 4 living creatures & the 24 elders (angels & overcoming church) join together in praise of the Lamb of God.
The heavenly choir is enlarging & there is singing accompanied by instruments along with the prayers of the saints – prayer & praise.
Once again, the focus is on the worthiness of the recipient of the worship. This time Jesus.
Amazingly our prayers are present & instrumental in these great eternal events. SELAH
Jesus is the only one worthy to open the scroll & 7 (perfect/complete) seals of God’s eternal purposes.
Praise is offered to the Lamb who was slain for all. He has come as the Lion to take his rightful throne!!
King Jesus (Lamb of God & Lion of the Tribe of Judah) who won the eternal victory through His death & resurrection. SELAH
The choir again prostrate themselves to worship the Lamb of God who is the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5-6).
He is worthy for His precious blood purchased salvation for the saints. Slain to save us & raised to resurrect us.
He redeemed them so that they can represent Him on this earth as they rule & reign with Him.
Kings & priests unto God from every nation, tribe, people & tongue. Hallelujah!!! Saved for specific purpose.
A redeemed people ruling & reigning with, & through, their great king Jesus.
Christ’s death & resurrection authorises Him to unveil & set into motion the eternal salvation purposes of God.
He, & that great act of love & sacrifice, will forever be remembered & praised in heaven.
The Lion & the Lamb will be celebrated & worshipped eternally. Hallelujah!!
Worthy O worthy are You Lord. Let us celebrate Jesus. Celebrate who He is & all He has done, is doing & will do for us.
Let those melodies & harmonies keep flowing & growing. Hallelujah!!!
For Reflection
- In what ways am I ruling & reigning with, & through, Christ?
- What am I doing representing Christ through my life upon this earth & what does that look like?
- Meditate upon Christ central role in the salvation plan & purpose of God.
A song related to this theme:
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that in Your great love You sent Jesus the eternal saviour,
As Lamb of God & Lion of Judah. You are greatly to be praised.
Jesus my precious Saviour, thank you that shed Your precious blood to set me free,
That You alone are worthy to open the scroll & seals of salvation.
Holy Spirit keep me worshipping the Lord God & the Lamb who alone are worthy,
Keep me moving towards Them & free to praise & worship through body, soul & spirit.
In Jesus mighty Name.
Amen
Written by Gareth Jones
