“And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:8-10
When the Lamb came and took the scroll, the weeping ended and the praising began. God’s people and the representatives of God’s creation joined their voices in a new song of praise. Note that praise and prayer were united, for incense is a picture of prayer rising to the throne of God.
This song was a worship song. To worship means “to ascribe worth and Jesus alone is worthy. Too many contemporary songs are “I” centered rather than “Christ” centered. They so emphasize the believer’s experience that they almost ignore the Lord’s glory. Certainly there is a place for that kind of song, but nothing can compare to adoring Christ in spiritual worship.
This song was a gospel song. Heaven sings about the cross and the blood. I read about a denomination that revised its official hymnal and removed all songs about the blood of Christ. That hymnal could never be used in heaven, because there they glorify the Lamb slain for the sins of the world.
This song was a missionary song. Sinners were redeemed. God loves a whole world, and His desire is that the message of redemption be taken to a whole world.
This heavenly song was a devotional song, for it announced our unique position in Christ as “a kingdom of priests.” Like Melchizedek of old, believers are kings and priests. The veil of the temple was torn when Jesus died, and the way is opened to God. We “reign in life” as we yield to Christ and allow His Spirit to work in us.
This song was a prophetic song. When Jesus Christ returns to earth, He will establish His righteous kingdom for 1,000 years, and we shall reign with Him. The prayers of the saints, “Thy kingdom come!” will then be fulfilled. Creation shall then be set free from bondage to sin and Christ shall reign in justice and power.”