Sing a New Song

Revelation 5:6 – Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. ⁷ He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. ⁸ 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. ⁹ 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.
¹⁰ And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.” (NLT)

Today we continue with the opening of the scroll.  Last week, in verse five, we had been told that the Lion of the tribe of Judah was worthy to open the scroll, but now we read that this lion is a slain lamb. What gives?  Jesus is referred to as a lamb twenty-nine times throughout this book. Not only is he called a lamb, but a lamb that still bears the marks of being slaughtered, which emphasizes the sacrifice that Christ made on our behalf. 

This is not, however, some little wimpy lamb! This lamb has seven horns and seven eyes.  In the writings of that day, a horn could represent power and/or honor. Often generals, emperors, and even nations were represented by horned creatures. In this passage, these seven horns stand for the omnipotence of Christ.  Remember, the number seven represented perfection.  The power of Christ is perfect power. 

This lamb has seven eyes which represent the Spirit of God sent into the world.  Similar imagery is found in the book of Zechariah. The seven eyes tell us that there is no place on earth where one can be hidden from the Lamb. This was not something scary for these people, in fact it was comforting! Their plight was known by God. We should always remember that God is with us, and God sees and knows everything about us.  As we try to stay in God’s will this should bring us comfort.

In verse eight we are told that elders are holding golden bowls which represent the prayers of God’s people. This imagery comes from Psalm 141:2 – “May my prayer be set before you like incense.” The imagery of the golden bowls that they held comes from the bowls used in the Temple in Jerusalem

In verse nine we are told that they sang a new song. In Isaiah 42:10, after receiving the promise of a Messiah, they are told to sing a new song. Here, the people are told that that prophecy has come to pass, and the new song is being sung in God’s heavenly court. Consider the plight of many of the people hearing this passage for the first time. Many of them were being persecuted, and this promise of a new song gave them strength. For us, perhaps, we find ourselves living as if we lack the presence of a Messiah. Remember, Christ sees all, and is with all. When we live life as if God is distant, it’s time for us to sing a new song! 

Today, let’s sing a new song.  Let us be confident of the one who sees us, and who knows our prayers. 

Posted by Ramón Torres