A New Song

They say that from the dawn of time, all of creation - or at least the 4 living beings and the 24 elders of Revelation 4 - sang a song. This song worshipped God as Holy, declaring Him worthy of honour and power and glory because He created all things. They declared Him Creator and worshipped Him with all they had.

Then, something happened. Something extraordinary. Something that changed the very song of Heaven.

God became man and died on a Cross. God became a sacrificial Lamb. He was slaughtered, His blood shed as a ransom for many - rescuing for Himself a people. Establishing for Himself a Kingdom of Priests. Drawing us out from a race that had rejected Him and His rightful authority.

And still, the 4 living beings and the 24 elders still worship God. But they no longer sing of the Creator. Now, they sing of the Lamb (Rev. 5).

They sing of the One who cleansed sin, who broke the power of the Accuser, who justly made forgiveness possible, who saved us from our own rebellion and it's necessary punishment. They sing His worth - and adore Him.

And they do not sing alone. They are joined by "thousands and millions of angels" (Rev 5:11). They are joined by "every creature in Heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Rev 5:13).

For God's glory as Creator is eclipsed only by God's glory as Saviour.

And it is this song that is being written in the hearts of every believer. It is this song that should be on our lips and in our minds. It is this song that should lead us to delight in the Lord. It should strengthen us when we are weak. It should give us courage when we are scared, confidence when we are uncertain, hope when are overwhelmed, and comfort when we are heartbroken. It should humble us when we are proud, frighten us when we are arrogant, unsettle us when we are comfortable, and confound us when we think we are wise.

It is this song that should drive us. It should drive us to speak of His salvation to those we meet. It should motivate us to invite them to sing with us. For one day, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess He is Lord and all creation will sing this song. But Judgment Day will go better for those who sing it now - those who accept Him as Saviour now.

And so we go out. We speak. We sing. We work. We tell of the Lamb who was slaughtered. We invite everyone to sing with us the Song of Heaven.

You are worthy to take the scroll

And break its seal and open it.

For You were slaughtered,

And Your blood has ransomed a 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.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered -

To receive power and riches and wisdom and strength

And honour and glory and blessing.

Blessing and honour and glory and power

Belong to the One sitting on the throne

And to the Lamb forever and ever.

Revelation 5:9-10,12,13b