The New Song

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” (Revelation 5:9)

The book of Revelation is filled with beautiful descriptions of heaven. Heaven is pictured as a land where there is no more sickness, no more sorrow, no more death, and no more pain (Rev. 21:4), it is described as having pearly gates and streets of gold (Rev. 21:21), but the grandest of descriptions within the book are found in the fourth and fifth chapters as the description of the throne of God is given. The greatest thing about heaven is the fact that God is there, and in the midst of the great abode of God is the book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals, and the One worthy of opening the book and in doing so there is now a new song that is sung.

The mission of Jesus was to make all things new. Prior to the death of Jesus on the cross, and the establishment of the church, which was purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28), the Old Covenant was still active. Jesus did not come to destroy the Old Law, but He came to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17) and having fulfilled the Old Law it was taken out of the way by Jesus (Col. 2:14, Heb. 8:13). Being that the Old Law was taken out of the way, Jesus established a new covenant, by the shedding of His blood for the remission of sin (Matt. 26:28), having established a better covenant with better promises (Heb. 8:6). Having established the New Covenant, and having fulfilled His mission on earth, Jesus ascended into the heavens to be seated at the right hand of God, having all things placed under His feet, and being the head over all things to the church (Eph. 1:20-22), and now those that will keep His commands (John 14:15) are able to be made new by Him (2 Cor. 5:17) and are able to walk in the newness of life (Rom. 6:4), walking in the light, having fellowship with God (1 John 1:7ff.).

When we examine these facts, looking at the credentials of Jesus, the clear conclusion from these facts is as stated in Revelation 5:9, “Thou art worthy”! John began to weep bitterly because there was no one able to take the book and open it (Rev. 5:3), but as he was weeping, “behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book and loose the seals thereof” (Rev. 5:5). Jesus, being sent to the earth, living a perfect sinless life, going to the cross for our redemption, being victorious over death, being resurrected from the tomb, and ascending into the heavens is now worthy of opening the book. Jesus is worthy because of His perfect life. Jesus lived on the earth, like you and me, but He lived His life without committing sin (1 Peter 2:20-23), and although He was tempted just as we are, He remained sinless (Heb. 4:15). Jesus is worthy because of the love that He has for man. Jesus loved mankind so much that He laid down His life for man (1 John 3:16), which, according to John 15:13, is the greatest love available. Jesus is worthy because of His perfect sacrifice. His sacrifice was without spot or blemish, it was without sin (1 Peter 2:20-23), and it was offered for our sins (Heb. 10:11-14). The new song is able to be sung because Jesus was “slain” (slaughtered/killed) having gone to the cross, enduring the sufferings of the crucifixion, and died in order that we might be redeemed (bought by a ransom) (Rev. 5:9).

This new song is now able to be sang by all. Jesus was slain and redeemed us to God by His blood “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9). No longer is there a distinction between Jew and Gentile, but all are able to be one in Jesus and by Jesus (Gal. 3:26ff). Jesus removed the middle wall of partition (Eph. 2:11ff), He removed the Law that was against us (Col. 2:14) and established the church (Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:4). Now under the new covenant established by Jesus, salvation is available unto all men regardless of ethnicity (“tribe”), language (“tongue”), political standing (“people”), or social standing (“nation”). The new song is a song that is able to be sang by all as all are able to be saved and all are able to worship the One that is worthy of our worship.

What a beautiful description of heaven! The new song is able to be sung because of the One that is worthy of taking the book and loosing the seals. Someday man will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and the names of the faithful will be read from the book of life, and those that are rewarded for their faithfulness will be able to sing this new song before the throne of God for eternity.