Monday, May 30, 2022

The Great Reunion Worship Song, Revelation 4:8-5:14

 


The Great Reunion

Part 2

Revelation 4:7-5:14

 

Have you ever been to a concert? A big one? A ginormous one?

You’re not quite ready, but you hear the horn, and know it’s time to go.

You’re carried away in a long white limousine, to a place with lights, and colors and beauty, beyond description.

You’ve never been there, yet, you’ve never felt so at Home. There’s a place reserved, just.for.you.

Then it begins.

Small at first, from a peculiar looking quartet. Then, it grows to twenty-four more. In a minute they add instruments. Then, they’re joined by a multitude beyond measure. Before they’re done, we come undone, and join with all our heart and soul, longing for the moment to last forever… overjoyed knowing, it actually, will.

That’s what we’ve been talking about.  The concert of all concerts. The Great Reunion. 

At first we discussed the amazing ride, just getting there (Raptūro, Revelation 4:1-2). Then, we tried to describe our arrival; beauty, beyond description ( The Great Reunion, Revelation 4:1-6).



Now, it begins. Small at first, from a peculiar looking quartet.

The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. Revelation 4:7 -8.

Some commentaries relate these four creatures to an order of angels, Ezekiel calls, cherubim (Ezekiel 1:5-26). However, in Ezekiel, they each have four faces, and four wings. Whereas in Revelation they have six wings and one face.  

Others compare the creatures in Revelation to another order of angels, Isaiah calls, seraphim (Isaiah 6:2). This sounds more accurate since they have six wings and one face; additionally, they say the same thing: “Holy, holy, holy…” (Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8).    

The only reason I’m not 100% convinced, about them being seraphim, is because of the word, Jesus has John use when describing them: zóon. Looks a lot like our word, zoo; and means about the same thing too: an animal, living creature.

Angels play a major role in Revelation; they’re mentioned seventy-six times. So, if these creatures are angels, why wouldn’t they simply be called, angels; instead of, animals (zóon)?

We could spend the rest of the day discussing the various schools of thought regarding the identity of these creatures; however, we’d miss the most important part: their purpose.

Quiet. The concert’s about to begin.

And they (the creatures) do not rest day or night, saying:

“Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

Who was and is and is to come!” Revelation 4:8.

 

That is their powerful purpose; to praise Him who is holy.

Holy, the only word used in triplicate to describe the Lord.

Let’s say it with them, right now, as we prepare for our departure.  

“Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

Who was and is and is to come!”

Once the peculiar looking creatures open their mouths, it doesn’t matter what they look like, or where they’re from. Their powerful praise, ignites a holy passion. Three times they fan the flame. Holy, holy, holy…

The fire spreads.

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying… Revelation 4:9-10.

Now, the creature quartet is joined by the, twenty-four elders, choir.  

You’ll want to pay special attention here, because, if you’ll remember from our last discussion, you should be a part of this choir.

Without missing a beat, the choir adds a stanza to the, Grand Reunion Worship Song. Come on, let's say it with them:

“You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11.

Suddenly, there’s a bit of an interlude.

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Revelation 5:1.

John notices God is holding a scroll, written on the inside and out, and sealed with seven seals. This is important, and John knows it, because, back then, Hebrew wills were sealed with seven seals, and only legal documents, such as wills, deeds, legal transactions, were written on both sides. The inside articulated the details, the outside provided a summary.  

Maybe now, justice will be served. John had watched and wept as his Lord, and Savior, and Friend, had been abused, beaten, spit upon, and crucified. Sure, he also knew, and believed, that He was raised. But still, there he was, an old man, imprisoned. The last of Jesus apostles; the only one who hadn’t been martyred. After all those years, it seemed, injustice had prevailed. God’s will, wasn’t being done. At all. But this must be it. Perhaps that which was sealed by Daniel, will be revealed, today. Vengeance will be met. Justice will be served. God will wipe out the wicked, and set up His Kingdom, finally. Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven, forever. Hallelujah!

Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”  3And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. Revelation 5:2-3.

Oh no. No, no, no, that can’t be. Please no. Oh God, none? Isn’t there one righteous, no not one?

So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. Revelation 5:4.

Wait. What about him. That angel? He’s a strong angel. Is that Gabriel? Doesn't Gabriel, mean: strength of God. Surely he can open the scroll. 

Not by power, not by might, (not by strong angel), but by My…

But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5.

Of course. The powerful Lion of Judah. The Royal Son of David, King of kings, Lord of lords. He has overcome. He has prevailed. He is worthy.

And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a…

Stood a large, powerful, ferocious Lion—of Judah.

No.

Stood a royal, majestic, warrior, King?

No.

 stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Revelation 5:6-7.

Just like Jesus. In the midst. In the midst of the throne. In the midst of the creatures. In the midst of the elders. In the midst of wherever two are more are gathered…

He could go by many other names, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace…yet, He chooses Lamb, more than any other name. Twenty-eight times in Revelation.

As though it had been slain, depicts the scars of His crucifixion—the only manmade thing in heaven. Lord Jesus, I’m so sorry.

Seven reflects His perfection. Seven horns, His omnipotence. Seven eyes, His omniscience. Seven Spirits, His Divinity.

 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying… Revelation 5:8.

The interlude introduced the Guest of Honor, the Lamb. Now the concert continues, with added passion, instruments and incense.

Let’s sing along, as a prayer, to the Lamb who is listening, and oh so worthy:

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,

10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;

And we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10.

 

Notice the change in tone? At first the worship was to Lord God Almighty, Him who sits on the throne, Creator of all things. Now, it gets intimate. Worship to a powerful God is one thing, but to a Personal One, is quite another. He is the Lamb, that fought for us, bled for us, suffered for us, died for us. Loves us. Our Savior, Redeemer. Lord…and Friend.

Now things kick into high gear. You know, like when you’re listening to a great song, and all of a sudden, you just can’t help yourself, even if you can’t sing—you’re singing along.

That’s what happens next. Big time.

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands… Revelation 5:11.

What started with a simple creature quartet, grew to include the twenty-four elder band, and then just like that they were joined by the pros, the voices of angels. Lots of angels; ten thousand times then thousand (100 million, that’s a lot), and thousands of thousands (even more—really a lot).

Okay, are you ready to do it again, this time with a loud voice, just like them:

saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

To receive power and riches and wisdom,

And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:12.

 

Did you, do it? With a loud voice?

Try to imagine the moment.

Voices of worship from hundreds of millions. God, front and center, on the Throne. Holy Spirit flames dance before the Throne. Jesus walks among us, in our midst.

Remember, lightning and thunder and colors, a sea of glass and a rainbow around the Throne.

And we haven’t even reached the crescendo.

We have the creature quartet, the twenty-four elder band, the angelic flash mob and just when you thought there wasn’t anyone left…

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying… Revelation 5:13.

Here the word for creature, is different in the original text, than the one used previously, for the creature quartet. This word is: ktisma. It literally means all kinds of creatures. Not just animal.

Did you notice this is the second time we read the phrase: in heaven and on the earth and under the earth. The last time was in verse three, when they were asking if anyone was worthy to open the scroll, but they couldn’t find anyone, in heaven or on the earth or under the earth.

It was a catch phrase they used back then, just like when we say: “We searched every nook and cranny” or, “We looked high and low” or, “The whole kit and caboodle” or, “Everything, lock, stock and barrel.”

Just to be sure we understand, Jesus adds, and such as are in the sea. That means, every creature, the whole kit and caboodle, everything, lock, stock and barrel.

Wait. Doug, are you saying every creeping, crawling, creature, land and sea?

I’m not. God is.

Hold on tight, here we go, the grand finale.

Say it loud, say it strong, don’t let some creepy, crawly, thingy, out praise you.

“Blessing and honor and glory and power

Be to Him who sits on the throne,

And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Revelation 5:13.

Can you believe it? I can’t wait to see it. Every creature, praising God.

Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

The originals, who started the service, collapse before their King.

They held nothing back, left it all on the field.

Lord, help us, to do nothing less.

Amen.

Here's the whole song, we'll sing, one day soon, at the Great Reunion. 



PHOTO NOTE: The day before we taught this lesson, I took the sky picture, while on a prayer walk. I thought it was perfectly appropriate.

At the end of that very same walk, I also took a picture of this: 

Vultures. Never seen before or since perched on the ridge of our clubhouse. Also appropriate, since next week we turn the page into the tribulation. 


Videos that may capture a small foretaste of our Great Reunion: 

O Come All Ye Faithful - Epic Flash Mob Carol #LIGHTtheWORLD | The Five Strings

The Birth of Simba Scene - Circle of Life Song - The Lion King (2019) Movie Clip HD

To Him Who sits on the Throne and unto The Lamb



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