The Glory of Celebration (Part Two)

This week, we are joining the multitudes around the throne in celebration of the greatness of our God. Yesterday, we celebrated the Creator (Rev.4:11). Today we join in…

Celebrating the Cross (5:8-10)

The Lamb is the central character of the Book of Revelation (appropriate for One born in a stable). In fact, the word “Lamb” appears 28 times in the book! Here, however, the key is that this Lamb was slain and is now alive (v.6), and it is that which forms the heartbeat of the second song of celebration…

“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals”- Notice that the same word (“worthy”) is used to describe the Lamb as was used to describe the Father! It means that the Lamb is equal to, comparable, deserving of worship as the Father is. Why?

1.    “For You were slain”- remember that His worthiness was not won on the Cross it was merely evidenced there. He did not become worthy by dying on the Cross, His death on the Cross had meaning and merit because He was, and is, worthy!

2.    “Purchased for God with Your blood…”- it is the word “redeemed” (agorazo- to purchase off the market). The purchase price was His own blood, and the market to which we had sold ourselves was the slave market of sin. Yet, like Hosea and Gomer, he out of great love and forgiveness, purchased us from that slavery and set us free!

3.    “Made them a kingdom of priests…”- Notice He did not redeem us for no purpose. His redemption achieves the loftiest of goals- taking us from the pits of slavery, to actively ruling and reigning with Him! Amazing!

Now, fully and finally, at the foot of the Throne and the Lamb, we see the cause of the celebration- and the fruit, not only of the victory of the Cross, but of the mystery of the manger as well.

• It is only here that we see the true wonder of Christmas and the power of the Incarnation and what it accomplished!
• It is only here that we embrace the depth and perfection of the divine redemptive plan that invaded earth at Bethlehem that first Christmas.
• It is only here that we understand the depths of divine love- a love that sent a redeemer, paid a redemptive price, and gave the redeemed an eternal role!

The celebration in heaven reveals the power and the glory of the Cross- and the manger that made that Cross possible. What a wonderful thought!