(5:5-14) Introduction: this is a most dramatic moment. Remember, John is having a vision, and his mind or spirit has been transported above earth into heaven. Therefore, everything he is experiencing is bound to be dramatic. But this moment must be the most dramatic of all: he is about to get his very first glimpse of Jesus Christ Himself. He is about to see the exalted Lord.
The background is this: God is holding the book of destiny in His right hand. A search has been conducted throughout the whole universe for someone worthy enough to open the book. But no one is worthy; there is no one good enough to open it. John is heartbroken and is weeping bitterly, for God is ready to reveal the secrets of the end time to man. But no person can be found to open the book and to oversee the climactic events of the end time. The situation looks hopeless. But then all of a sudden one of the heavenly elders steps forth and announces that someone has been found to open the book of destiny. There is one Person who is worthy. This is the great subject of this passage: the book of destiny is opened—the Lamb alone is worthy.
1. The glorious announcement: God has intervened and sent One worthy to open the book (v.5)
1 (5:5) Jesus Christ, Names and Titles—Lion of Judah—Root of David: there is the glorious announcement—God has intervened. He Himself has sent One worthy to open the book of destiny. Who is He?
a. He is the “Lion of Judah.” This is a title of the Messiah. The symbol of the lion shows that He is the strongest and most powerful member of the tribe of Israel. Judah was the strongest tribe of Israel, the strongest by far. Therefore way back in history, God had prophesied through Jacob that his own son Judah would be a “lion’s whelp” (young cub). If Judah himself was only a young cub, then the Messiah Himself must be like the King of beasts, the lion. Very simply, the prophecy predicted that the coming Messiah would possess the strength and power of a lion, the king of beasts. Who then is worthy to open the book? Jesus Christ, the lion of Judah, the all powerful Messiah and King. He and He alone is worthy enough to take the book and carry out the events of the end time.
“Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [Messiah] come” (Gen_49:9-10).
b. He is the “Root of David.” The Messiah was to be of the household of David, of the root and seed of Jesse, of his family tree, of his blood, of his stem. Who then is worthy to open the book? The prophesied Son of David, the Messiah and King of the world. He and He alone is worthy to take the book and carry out the events of the end time.
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isa_11:1).
c. He is the One who has prevailed and conquered and won the victory; therefore, He is able to open the book of destiny. Over what has He prevailed? What is it that He has conquered?
“He hath prevailed to open the book” (v.5).
⇒ He has conquered sin.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph_1:7).
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb_1:3).
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1Pe_2:24).
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1Pe_3:18).
⇒ He has conquered death.
“For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1Co_15:25-26).
“But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2Ti_1:10).
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb_2:14-15).
⇒ He has conquered this evil world.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Joh_16:33).
“Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father” (Gal_1:4).
⇒ He has conquered Satan and all other evil forces.
“Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house” (Mat_12:29).
“And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven” (Luk_10:18).
“Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (Joh_12:31).
“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me” (Joh_14:30).
“Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (Joh_16:11).
“For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool” (Act_2:34-35).
“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col_2:15; cp. Heb_2:14-15).
⇒ He has conquered all rule and authority and power.
“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (1Co_15:24).
⇒ He has conquered hell.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (Joh_5:24).
“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom_8:34-39).
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev_1:18).
2 (5:6-7) Jesus Christ, Person—Lamb of God: there is the supreme moment, the first sight of Jesus Christ in heaven. John had seen Christ in his first vision, but Christ was standing in the midst of the churches. But now the supreme moment arrives—the moment when John catches his first sight of the glorified Son of God in heaven. The sight was bound to be the most spectacular sight ever seen in human history, for God was letting a man see His Son at the throne of God. He was showing why His Son is worthy to rule and reign over the universe. When John caught his first glimpse of Christ, he immediately noticed five things.
a. Jesus Christ is the center of the heavenly scene.
⇒ He was right before the throne of God, joining God at the very throne of God itself.
⇒ Then the four living beings surround Him.
⇒ Then come the circle of elders.
Jesus Christ is the very center and focus of attention: every eye and thought is upon Him. He is the centerpiece of God’s throne room, the central figure on the stage of universal history, the history of both heaven and earth.
b. Jesus Christ is the sacrificial Lamb of God who has been slain. The picture of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God is seen throughout Scripture.
Scripture declares that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who died for our sins.
⇒ The Lamb of God was symbolized in the Passover. The lamb was sacrificed so that the judgment of God could pass over the people.
“Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for a house” (Exo_12:3).
⇒ Isaiah had said that the Messiah was to bear our sins by being brought as a lamb to the slaughter.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isa_53:6-7).
⇒ John the Baptist declared Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (Joh_1:29).
“And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!” (Joh_1:36).
⇒ Peter had said that persons are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without spot and without blemish.
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation [behavior] received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1Pe_1:18-19).
Note this: A.T. Robertson, the Greek scholar, points out that the word for lamb throughout the New Testament is ho amnos. But throughout Revelation John uses another word arnion, and he uses the word twenty-nine times for the crucified Christ. The difference is this: the word chosen by John stresses the slaughter, suffering, pain, agony, and humiliation of Christ. And all the suffering is still seen in heaven. As Robertson says: “The Lamb is now alive, but . . . with the marks of the sacrifice” (Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol.6, p.334).
The point is this: Jesus Christ is the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He lived a sinless life when He was upon earth; He was the Ideal and Perfect Man. Therefore, whatever Jesus Christ did as the Perfect and Ideal Man, it could stand for and cover us. When He died for our sins, He died as the ideal and perfect sacrifice. His sacrifice for our sins was perfectly acceptable to God. Therefore, His sacrifice for sin stands for and covers us.
What happens is this: when we believe in Jesus Christ, God takes our faith and counts it as the sacrifice of Christ. God counts the sacrifice of Christ for us. This means that we are free from sin. We stand sinless before God, acceptable to Him—all because Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, removed our sins from us. We are cleansed from sin by the sacrifice of Christ. We are made perfectly righteous by the sacrifice of Christ. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who has taken away our sin and clothed us in the white robes of righteousness before God.
This is the reason Jesus Christ stands in the center stage of heaven. But even in heaven He stands as the One who has loved and given Himself for us; He stands as the Lamb who was slain as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb_9:12-14).
“And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool” (Heb_10:11-13).
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1Pe_2:24).
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1Pe_3:18).
c. Jesus Christ is the omnipotent power of the universe. Remember that the number seven in the Bible means completeness, fulness, and perfection. Jesus Christ is seen with seven horns which symbolizes complete and perfect strength and power. He stands in heaven as the supreme power and force of the universe.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Mat_28:18).
“No man taketh it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again, This commandment have I received of my Father” (Joh_10:18).
“As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him” (Joh_17:2).
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom_1:4).
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Col_1:16-17).
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb_1:1-3).
d. Jesus Christ is the supreme intelligence of the universe. The seven eyes symbolize complete and perfect knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom. He is omniscient; He knows all and sees all. Absolutely nothing escapes His sight and knowledge. Note: this is a symbol of the seven spirits of God which is the Holy Spirit (see notes—Rev_1:4; Rev_3:1 for discussion). In the person of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is everywhere, seeing and knowing all.
“And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man” (Joh_2:25).
“And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen” (Act_1:24).
“[Christ] in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col_2:3).
“And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” (Isa_11:2).
“For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes” (Jer_16:17).
e. Jesus Christ is sovereign. He alone walks over and takes the Book of Destiny out of the hand of God. He and He alone is worthy to execute and carry out the events of the end time. This is simply a graphic way of saying what is said in the very first verse of Revelation.
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” (Rev_1:1).
3 (5:8-10) Worship of Christ: there is the majestic worship of Christ by the four living creatures and the elders. As soon as Jesus Christ takes the book out of the hand of God, all of heaven and earth break loose in a song of praise. And note there are three waves of praise sung to Christ.
⇒ There is the praise of the four living creatures and of the elders who surround the throne of God.
⇒ Then there is the wave of praise from the numberless host of angels, ten thousands times ten thousands, and thousands of thousands of them. The idea is that the number is so large that man and his computers could not count the number.
⇒ Then there is the majestic worship of all creatures in both heaven and earth, and under the earth in the graves, and in the seas. All of creation—every being ever created—breaks loose in a chorus of praise to the Lord and to the Lamb of God who sits upon the throne (Jesus Christ).
The present note covers the praise of the four living creatures and the elders who immediately surround the Lord Jesus Christ and the throne of God. Note three things about their worship.
a. They fall down before Christ, the Lamb of God, and play harps. Remember: the harp was the usual instrument used to sing the Psalms of praise to our Lord (cp. Psa_33:2; Psa_98:5; Psa_147:7).
b. They offer up golden bowls of incense to the Lord which is the symbol of the prayers of believers (saints).
Thought 1. Just think of this: the very beings closest to God offer up our prayers to Christ for us. The heavenly host is concerned over our welfare even as the Lord is. They long for us to be helped through the trials and temptations of life even more than we long to be delivered through them. What a precious truth.
c. They sing a new song focused upon the worthiness of Christ. Remember: God had just held out the book of destiny and the shattering call had just pierced the air for someone worthy to step forth and to take the book. Someone was needed to open the book and carry out the events upon earth. But no one was found worthy. Not even those who surround the very throne of God, the four living creatures and elders, were worthy. Only one Person could step forward: the Lamb of God Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the scene here: when the living creatures and elders see the Lamb of God step forward and take the book from God, they fall down in worship and adoration and sing a song to Him, a song that has never been sung before.
“Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us [man] to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev_5:9-10).
Note that they praise Christ for three things.
1) They praise Him because He was slain for man and has redeemed man (v.9). The correct Greek translation of this verse is
man and not “us” as the King James version has it. It should read that Christ “has redeemed man [or them] to God.” They praise Christ because He died for the sins of man and has set man free from sin and death and the punishment to come. (See note 2, pt.2—Rev_5:6-7. Also see note—Rev_1:5-6 for more discussion.)
“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom_5:9).
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Gal_3:13).
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph_1:7).
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col_1:14).
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit_2:14).
“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb_9:12).
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation [citizenship] received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1Pe_1:18-19).
2) They praise Him because of His universal salvation (v.9). No person is beyond His reach. He saves people from every tribe and language and race and nation. There is no prejudice or discrimination with Christ, no favorites and no partiality. He loves every person: male and female, poor and rich, black and white, yellow and red, ignorant and wise. Christ saves all who will come from every corner of the earth. Those who surround Christ and the throne of God shout their praise to Christ for His universal salvation.
“And all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luk_3:6).
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom_10:13).
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1Ti_2:4).
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit_2:11-12).
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2Pe_3:9).
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev_3:20).
3) They praise Christ because He has given believers the great gift of royalty (v.10). He makes them kings and priests and note: they shall rule on the earth serving the Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever as kings and priests. (See note—Rev_14:13; Rev_21:24-27 for complete list of rewards.)
“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Mat_25:23).
“Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me” (Luk_22:28-29).
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom_8:16-17).
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever” (Rev_1:5-6).
“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Rev_20:4).
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Dan_12:3).
4 (5:11-12) Worship—Angels: there is the majestic worship of Christ by the angels. Note three facts about the angels.
a. They are the center circle of the praise chorus.
b. Their number is astounding: an innumerable number is what Scripture is declaring.
c. Their song includes seven points.
1) They praise Christ for His power. He is omnipotent: He possesses all power. He is able to open God’s book of destiny and to carry out and execute God’s will throughout the universe. He is able to carry out the events of history and the events of the end time. He is the sovereign Ruler of the universe.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Mat_28:18).
“As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him” (Joh_17:2).
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom_1:4).
“But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1Co_1:24).
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph_3:20).
2) They praise Christ for His riches. He possesses the wealth to meet any need throughout the universe, any need that we or any other creature may have.
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Rom_2:4).
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2Co_8:9).
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph_1:7).
“That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Eph_2:7).
“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph_3:8).
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Php_4:19).
3) They praise Christ for His wisdom. He is omniscient, seeing and knowing all. He knows all about God and heaven, and all about us and our world with all its temptations and trials. He can, therefore, carry out the will of God laid out in the book of destiny, and He can help and succor us through all the trials and temptations of life.
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1Co_1:30).
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb_4:15-16).
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him” (Psa_28:7).
“But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God” (Psa_40:17).
“Fear thou not; For I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isa_41:10).
4) They praise Him for His strength. No one nor any thing can stand against Him, not even for a moment unless He allows it. He has infinite strength, the very strength of God Himself. All He has to do is speak the Word and His will is done. Therefore, He can carry out the events in the book of destiny, and he can meet our every need.
“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Mat_19:26).
“For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luk_1:37).
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Co_10:13).
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph_3:20).
“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever” (2Ti_4:18).
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever” (Jud_1:24-25).
“I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee” (Job_42:2).
“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” (Psa_115:3).
“Fear thou not; For I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isa_41:10).
“Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let [hinder] it?” (Isa_43:13).
5) They praise Him for His honor. He is the Son of God possessing the very nature of God, the eternal and sovereign Majesty, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is the One appointed to open the book of destiny and to execute its events throughout the universe. Therefore, He is the One who is to be honored by all.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Php_2:9-11).
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready” (Rev_19:7).
“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Psa_34:3).
“Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders” (Psa_107:32).
6) They praise Him for His glory. As stated, He is the supreme Glory and Majesty of the universe, so glorious that His glory shines brighter than the sun to give light in the spiritual world or dimension. His own glory is the light of heaven. In Him is no flaw or defect whatsoever. Therefore, He and He alone is worthy to open the book of destiny and to carry out the will of God throughout the universe. He and He alone is due all the glory of the universe.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Mat_5:16).
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (Joh_15:8).
“That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom_15:6).
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1Co_6:19-20).
“Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psa_29:2).
“Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth” (Psa_57:5).
7) They praise Him for His blessing. He deserves all the blessing that heaven and earth can give, for He has blessed all. He has given life and all the good things of life to all creatures. All blessings have come from Him. Therefore, all the blessings that heaven and earth can give are due Him.
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet [fit] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Col_1:12).
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Col_3:15).
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1Th_5:18).
“When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee” (Deu_8:10).
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psa_100:4).
“O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (Isa_25:1).
5 (5:13-14) Worship: there is the majestic worship of Christ by the whole universe. After each group of created beings has sung their chorus of praise, then all of creation—every being and creature who has ever lived in both heaven and earth—shall break forth in one chorus of praise to both God and Christ. What shall they praise God and Christ for?
Then the four living creatures shall shout “Amen.” And the elders shall fall down and worship the Lord Jesus Christ who lives forever and ever.
Never has there been a chorus of worship as will be seen in the glorious day of redemption when all creation shall praise Him who is our Lord and Savior, even the Son of God Himself. And remember why:
⇒ because He is worthy to step forward and take the book of destiny out of the hand of God.
⇒ because He is worthy to rule and reign over all history, both now and in the last days and throughout all of eternity, world without end.
“That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom_15:6).
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1Co_6:20).
“That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2Th_1:12).
“Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Rev_14:7).