Revelation 5:1-14 - Homiletics

Continuation of vision.

In the preceding homily we noted that the apostle records five songs. We have already referred to two of them. We now have the three remaining ones before us.

1 . The third song is the new song—of redemption. Creation being effected, what is to be done with it? Of what events is earth to be the scene and the witness? and what are the developments which Providence has in store? See. In the right hand of him who sits upon the throne there is a book—a roll, written within and without (a rare thing, except through pressure of matter, to write on the back of a roll). Written—by whom? Surely we are left to infer that the writing was that of Jehovah; that the book was his; that in the writing were indicated the things which were to come hereafter, yea, what was to take place on this globe! But this book, with the writing of Jehovah in it as to what shall come to pass, is fast sealed. Seven seals. They must be opened ere the mystery of the future can be told. As yet it is fast wrapped and folded up. Who shall open that book and interpret what is there? The apostle ( Revelation 5:2 ) saw a mighty angel, and heard him proclaim "with a loud voice, Who is worthy," etc.? And no one was worthy—for no one was able, either in heaven or on the earth, neither under the earth—to open it or to look into it. No one in all creation! The task is too great for man or angel. Must the roll be ever closed? Is the secret will of God expressed therein to be forever an insoluble riddle? No one responds. There is awful silence; till later on it is broken, but only by the sobs of the weeping John! At length, one of the elders comes. The tears of an apostle are a magnet to him. He can tell more of trials and triumphs than even he who had leaned on Jesus' breast. "Weep not! The Lion … hath prevailed." Hath conquered ? Has there, then, been a conflict ere the book could be opened? At this point a new form, before unnamed, appears. "And … a Lamb, standing, as it had been slain" (verse 6). This John had long before heard another point him out, saying, "Behold the Lamb of God!" Since then, that Lamb of God had been made an offering for sin; and now the traces of that self offering are seen in heaven. He, the offered Lamb, comes, full of strength; with an authority all his own he approaches right up to the throne, nearer than all created ones, and takes the book, etc. (verse 7). When he in majesty and might takes the book into his own hands, then the apostle's tears are dried, and heaven's silence gives place to song. In the hands of Jesus the seals will give way, and under his mediatorial reign will the will of God be disclosed; i.e. in the hands of Jesus the developments of providence become disclosures of redemption. And lo! at this stage new music is heard. "They are singing a new song" (verse 9). New, for it celebrates a new revelation of God, a new work of God, and a new unfolding of the plans of God. New—ever new. It can never become old. It is a song of praise from the living creatures and the redeemed ones £ to him who was slain for them. £ Such a song is this as creation could not inspire. Still there is more to follow.

2 . The fourth is the "assenting chorus of the host of angels" £ to the Lamb that was slain (verses 11, 12). We are taught clearly enough, in the fifteenth chapter of Luke, that angels sympathize in the redeeming work of our Lord, and witness his joy when one sinner is saved. How fully in accord with this it is to find them joining with the ransomed and taking up the song, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain"—although from angel voices we miss the most tender, the most touching feature of the heavenly song! Their praise may be more sublime; their love cannot be like ours. Still, the song swells in grandeur.

3 . The fifth is the song of all creation to God and the Lamb. (Verse 13.) "Every creature … heard I saying … unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." All intelligent and holy beings, everywhere, join in a grand concert of praise, alike to the Father and the Son. The love of the Father devised all. The love of the Son undertook, effected, and administered all; and to him, with the Father, shall endless honour be given by an admiring and adoring universe. One burst of harmony fills the courts of heaven. We cannot but feel that we are in the presence of the sublimest scenes that can ever in this state be unfolded to mortal view. In fact, we could not bear more. A fuller disclosure would overwhelm us. As it is, there is enough concealed to quicken our eager expectations; enough revealed to give us several practical principles to work with in the light thereof. £

WHAT MAY WE LEARN FROM THIS SUBLIME VISION ? Or rather, What are the truths concerning the Divine Being and his plans which lie couched therein? They are many.

1 . We see that gathering round the throne, hymning like songs, interested in like themes, are the inhabitants of heaven and the redeemed on and from the earth. There is a oneness of sympathy between them, and all are in full sympathy with God. This is the thought of the fifteenth chapter of Luke.

2 . We see that the first and foremost Object of their adoring song is the Triune Jehovah; the Thrice-Holy One. He who sitteth upon the throne is the adorable Centre in whom all holy beings find their everlasting home. God is adored for what he is, as well as praised for what he does. He himself is infinitely greater than all his works.

3 . By the highest orders of beings there is seen in creation matter for adoring praise. It is a revelation of God. It is a witness for him. His perfections are written there.

"He formed the seas, he formed the hills,

Made every drop and every dust,

Nature and time with all their wheels,

And pushed them into motion first."

And whether, in our theories of how things came to be as they are, we are evolutionists or non-evolutionists, whether we side with convulsionists or anti-convulsionists, either way we see matter for jubilation and song. " Thou hast," etc. There is no atheism in beings higher than we are. The host men on earth are not to be found in the atheists' camp. "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God" everywhere.

4 . Creation expresses only in part the Divine mind. There is a book written, in which are recorded both purpose and plan; and where the earth is looked on as the dwelling place of man, where man is known to have sinned against God, it cannot but be a question of absorbing interest—How will God deal with man? What will be the Divine treatment of sin?

5 . It is in our Lord Jesus Christ alone that we are furnished with a key to the workings of providence. He alone can take the book and open its seals. He has accomplished a vast redemptive work. He has undertaken a trust. He has all power in heaven and on earth. In the administration of his work, he unfolds and carries out the plan of God. "The Father loveth the Sou, and hath put all things into his hand."

6 . Through Christ's prevailing to open the seals, the history of this globe comes to be the history of redemption. Our Lord Jesus Christ presides over all governments, empires, kingdoms, and thrones. He is "Head over all things to his Church," and subordinates all to the inbringing of his everlasting kingdom to the regeneration of earth, to "making all things new." Thus creation is but the platform on which redemption stands, and it is destined to witness its crowning glory in the recreation of men in the image of their God! "We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." Finally, owing to redemption's work, a new song of praise is heard in heaven, in which angels and men and "every creature" join. Redemption is the new song for them all.

"The highest angel never saw

So much of God before."

In creation there is seen the work of his hands. In providential government, the wisdom that controls. In redemption, the grace that saves and the out gushing fulness of a mighty heart that loves! "That was not first which was spiritual, but that which was natural, and after that which was spiritual." The first creation vivified earth; the second vivified man. And not only so, but the song will be ever new. Its theme will never tire. Its strains will never weary the ear. So long as saved men love to recall how much they owe unto their Lord, so long as they love to contrast what they receive with what they deserve, the song will be ever new to them. And as long as holy beings in all worlds delight to celebrate the noblest disclosures of the heart of God, so long will redemption's song be new to them all! Note: We need not, we ought not to wait till we get to heaven ere we begin that song. Nay, we cannot. We cannot help singing it now.

"E'er since by faith I saw the stream

Thy flowing wounds supply,

Redeeming love has been my theme,

And shall be till I die!"