Scripture
The Lamb Opens the Scroll
1Then I saw a scroll[1] in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne,[2] has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6Then 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[3] of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8And 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. 9And 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.
10And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign[4] on the earth.”
11Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
13And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
Translation notes (4)
- 5:1 Or book; also in 5:2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9.
- 5:5 Greek the root of David. See Isa 11:10.
- 5:6 Greek which are the seven spirits.
- 5:10 Some manuscripts read they are reigning.
11Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
The Christian music artist Chris Tomlin wrote the words, “You and I were made to worship.” These lyrics are profoundly true. We were created to worship. Human beings were wired to worship, and we know that only one person is truly worthy of our worship, and that is God. The angels were also created to worship God, and they have set a beautiful example for us to follow in the way that they worship God each and every day.
Throughout Scripture, we read about angels worshiping God. One of the most well-known passages of Scripture that talks about the angels praising God is found in Revelation 5. In this chapter, John records a response to seeing Jesus in a vision. In this vision, John heard “the voices of thousands and millions of angels” (verse 11). These angels were singing. What were they singing? This chorus of millions of angels sang, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing (verse 12). The lamb they were talking about was Jesus. Can you imagine the sight? It must have been the most incredible vision to see a chorus of angels solely dedicated to worshiping and praising Jesus. This is just one of the incredible passages of Scripture that we have a record of angels praising Jesus.
The way the angels worship God is a beautiful model for us. Like the angels, we, too, are called to worship and praise God. We can worship God through singing like the angels in Revelation 5, pointing people to Christ, and living a life that reflects His glory. Chris Tomlin was right. You and I were made to worship. Will we lean into that calling we have been given? This kind of worshipful lifestyle points people straight to Jesus.
Moving Toward Action
Sing a worship song today out loud to God, even if you can’t sing! Think about the lyrics you are singing, praising God for who He is and everything He has done for you. As you do this, you engage in what you were created to do and recognize just how great God is.
Going Deeper
Revelation 5:1-14 (NLT)
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