Scripture: “And (the 24 elders) sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain and by your blood you ransomed people for God…
And then I looked, and I heard…the voice of many angels numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.’
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’” (excerpts from Rev 5:2-14
Observation: It is good that John has written this vision down because I certainly couldn’t imagine this scene. Even now, with the text right in front of me, it is difficult to put a picture together.
Analysis: I must jump back to verse 2 and 4: “Who is worthy to break the seals on the Scroll and read?” “…and I began to weep LOUDLY because no one was found worthy…” In verse 5, “One of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more, behold, the Lion of Judah…” (all paraphrased)
The section goes from a challenge to the congregation to a declaration of the Only Worthy One and results in a cascade of loud vocal and physical reaction:
- 24 Elders sing a new and significant song;
- An innumerable count of angels and other heavenly beings ROAR with a declaration of “Worthy is the Lamb.”
- Then every creature in creation said, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing, honor, glory, and might forever!!”
None of this is quiet. All seems to be as loud as they can get. Heaven must have shaken from the sound waves and decibels of the collective volume from the throats of every creature, great and small.
And what do I do? Sometimes a church mouse is louder than I am.
Jesus told of a principle: “…for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45b
I can get conflicted on this subject. On one hand Jesus deserves from me the effort described in Rev 5. On the other hand, I don’t want to call attention to myself and weird folks out in the congregation. And yet, “What is the abundance of MY heart?” knowing that what is coming out of my mouth is indicative of the state of my heart.
I guess that is a daily double question, huh? For sure, if I am NOT doing this in my private times, then I must ask myself, “Am I doing this to be seen by others and displaying the attitude of a Pharisee?”
Prayer: Father, it is so difficult to overcome my innate tendencies to be a display in sinful ways. How often did you, Lord, rebuke “religious” folks whose heart was for the accolades, the applause of the crowd but once inside their home, dropped it all “to be real?”
If I am not real towards You in my private times, then what I see in private is what I really am, right? Probably close enough. And if I am arguing favorably towards myself and my conduct, then I probably am deceiving the face in the mirror.
Help me to be fiercely transparent and humbly candid before you, O God. AMEN.