Worship in Heaven

"And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.' Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!' Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!' The four living creatures said, 'Amen,' and the elders fell down and worshiped." (Revelation 5:8-14 - New International Version)

As soon as the Lamb takes the scroll, the throne room of heaven begins to praise and worship God and the Lamb. The four living creatures and the twenty four elders bow down before the Lamb. Each had a harp and each had a golden bowl full of incense. This incense represents the prayers of God's people: it is pleasant to God.

They then began to sing a new song. It is new because Jesus has now taken the scroll. In their song, they tell us that Jesus can break the seals because He has purchased man with His blood. Those who are His come from every group of people on the earth.

Every kindred means every extended family group. Every tongue means from every language group. Every people means from every culture. Every nation means from every nationality.

Christ has made the saved not kings and priests, but literally a kingdom of priests. Under the Old Testament, there was a certain group who were priests. Under the New Testament, all born again believers are priests of God. The Apostle Peter wrote, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (I Peter 2:9 - Amplified Bible)

Priests have two main duties. To represent men before God which includes worship. And to represent God before men. To tell people what God requires of them. Every Christian is to worship God and bring the needs of people before God in prayer. Every Christian is to tell others about God and what He commands them to do: repent and believe.

The creatures and elders sing that the redeemed will reign with Christ. What a glorious promise this is.

At this moment, a vast host of angels appears surrounding the throne of God numbering over a hundred million! Of course, we should not take this number too literally. John did not count them. There may have been billions of angels.

Now this vast host joins in the worship of God and the Lamb. They express a sevenfold statement of praise. Jesus has all power, all riches, all wisdom, all might, all honor, all majesty and all blessings.

However this worship is not sufficient to impress upon John's mind and ours how great this moment is. Jesus taking the scroll and preparing to claim what is His, demands even greater acknowledgment. The spiritual and physical universe now unite to praise the Lamb.

Now that we have learned of the heavenly activity that precedes the tribulation, we are ready to learn of the events that will occur on earth. Chapter six of Revelation begins the prophecy of the sever year Tribulation.