Scripture Text: Revelation 5:1-14
[9] And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation.
[12] They said with a loud voice: The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!
[14] The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Revelation 5:9, 12 & 14 (HCSB)
In the U.S. or in other part of Europe, every Easter you can find lambs in the shops—cute chocolate lambs or stuffed animals. They bear no resemblance whatsoever to the Lamb described in today’s chapter. The Lamb that John saw was not cute but scarred. It looked as if it had been slain (v.6). It also had seven horns and seven eyes (v.6). In the books of Daniel and Revelation, horns represent kingly power. The lamb’s seven eyes may be a symbol of omniscience. The fact that the Lamb is the only one worthy to open the seal and is worshiped by the twenty-four elders makes it clear that this must be Jesus Christ (5, 9 & 10).
The elders worship Him while holding harps and golden bowls full of incense. Interestingly, verse 8 doesn’t say that the incense represents the prayers of the saints but rather that it is their prayers. What a beautiful picture of how Christ must view our prayers—not as whining or nagging but like a pleasing aroma.
As the elders worship the Lamb, an innumerable company of angels adds their voices, and they are joined by “every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say” (v. 13). Worship has a surprising trajectory. It moves from heaven to earth, not the other way around. This worship begins with God. His presence evokes it. This worship is also contagious. Its resonating quality enables others to join in. This heavenly worship is Christ-centered. It focuses on the Lamb who was slain.
The worship described in these verses invites us. When we worship, we do not imitate heavenly worship. We participate in an ongoing worship service, adding our voices to that of the living creatures, elders, angels, and the rest of creation. God receives our prayers like sweet incense, and Jesus is glorified.
Reflect
1. How can you worship Christ today, recognizing His worthiness?
2. Think about what makes Christ worthy of worship. How can you express gratitude for these qualities in your prayers and devotion?
3. In your daily activities, do you find ways to honor and worship Christ, acknowledging His worthiness in your everyday life?
4. In your worship with your co-believers in Christ, do you worship Him as He is truly worthy of it?
Remember
Among all beings and entities, Christ stands as the sole and complete object of worship.
The qualities, attributes, and deeds of Christ make Him uniquely deserving of reverence and adoration. Christ's worthiness, all of creation’s true and complete worship is rightfully directed only towards Him.
To the believers-followers of Jesus Christ, each of us should personally see and acknowledge the inherent worthiness of Christ. This should shape our own devotion and adoration, making it all about Him.
Read
Psalm 145:3; Matthew 28:18; John 3:35-36; Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:17
Pray
Dear Lord,
Today, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude for the inherent worthiness of Christ. Help me, in my daily journey, to recognize His uniqueness and acknowledge that He alone is deserving of my worship. Guide and enable me as I to shape my devotion and adoration towards Him alone. May my life be a reflection of His worthiness, and may my heart be steadfast in honoring and glorifying Him in all things. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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