A Song of Victory

Revelation 5:8-10, Revelation 15:1-4

Revelation describes the final establishment of God’s Kingdom and the reconciliation of creation back to Himself. It is a vision that came to John, Jesus’ disciple, full of deep symbolism, profound imagery, and, yes, songs. 

The heavenly creatures sing songs to Jesus as a response to His authority. In chapter five, Jesus exercises His authority to open a scroll. Sealed scrolls at that time represented messages of truth that only the addressee was worthy to open. 

Jesus is represented by a slain lamb who takes the scroll to open it. Though He appears weak – a bloody and beaten lamb – His authority is greater than any other creature in heaven and on earth. It is Jesus, the Lamb, who purchased and ransomed all people to be reconciled back to God so that they might serve and glorify Him. 

Jesus, in His perfection and power, was the only one with the authority to do this. The response of the heavenly creatures is a song of worship. 

In chapter 15, we read the song of “those who had been victorious over the beast.” The beast represents chaos and evil, but those who cling to the Lamb are victorious over it. This means that they recognize their contribution to evil and chaos and receive the gift of righteousness earned by Christ. 

Their song of victory is not about what they could do but about who God is and what He has done. In the end, the only victory we have is what the Lamb did on our behalf. We have nothing but the righteousness He gives us. 

We are waiting for Jesus to completely reconcile all things. But we don’t have to wait to sing these songs of praise. We can sing them now. 

Let us sing of His worthiness. Let us sing of how He ransoms us and restores our relationship with God. Let us sing of His “just and true” ways. Let us sing of His holiness. Let us sing of His “righteous acts.” 

And as we sing, we can sing with hope for a restored future when all nations will be around the throne of the Lamb singing these same songs.