The angel - who asks the question about who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals - is described as strong. Perhaps this is pointed out because maybe the strongest angel in heaven tried to open the book but could not??? It sounds that way because of what is said right after, in verse 3...
(Revelation 5:1-4) I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it
Only Jesus is worthy and able to open this book and break its seals. Now the four living creatures begin to sing a new song...
(Revelation 5:5-10) and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”
6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
Now all of heaven, raptured believers and angels all join in singing and praising the Lord together...
(Revelation 5:11-14) Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,
“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”
14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.
From this we see:
- a strong angel proclaims that no one in heaven is able to open the book or break its seals, and asks who is worthy (5:2-3)
- when Jesus takes the book to open it, the four living creatures who are around the throne now break into a new song (5:6-9)
- all of heaven start singing and praising the Lord together, including all of the angels (5:11)
Personal experience: I love that they sing a new song!!!
As an artist, I have never wanted to get into a song-style-rut, and so, I decided long ago to always keep up "with the music trends of the times". And I can sincerely say that I love all styles of music, as long as it is done well.
As a Christian, I do not want to be critical about singing new songs! If the songs are glorifying God, then we should embrace those!
If God has blessed someone with the gift of music, and the Holy Spirit is guiding them into that area of service, who are we to quench the Spirit, or discourage a fellow believer?
In our church, we have just started a music-writing-collaboration-group. It is a chance for all Christian musicians who want to write music, to get together and be lead and inspired by the Holy Spirit, in unity, to see what we can create together. In just a few meetings, it is amazing to hear what we have come up with!
I believe we are to keep writing new songs. As well, God deserves our very best! So let us try to do our very best for Him!
Today's takeaway: God tells us to sing a new song! Let us be open to God's inspirations!...
(Psalm 149:1) Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of the godly ones.
(Psalm 33:1-5) Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; praise is becoming to the upright.
2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.
2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.
(Psalm 96:1-3) Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
3 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
3 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
(Isaiah 47:10-12) Sing to the Lord a new song,
Sing His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it. You islands, and those who dwell on them.
11 Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voices, the settlements where Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing aloud, let them shout for joy from the tops of the mountains.
12 Let them give glory to the Lord and declare His praise in the coastlands.
11 Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voices, the settlements where Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing aloud, let them shout for joy from the tops of the mountains.
12 Let them give glory to the Lord and declare His praise in the coastlands.
(Psalm 144:9) I will sing a new song to You, O God; upon a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You,
(Psalm 40:3) He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord.
(Psalm 95:1) O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
(Psalm 150:1-6) Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty expanse.
2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
3 Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with harp and lyre.
4 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
4 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
(Psalm 147:1) Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and praise is becoming.
(Ephesians 5:18-20) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father
(Colossians 3:16) Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
(Psalm 95:1-2) O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
Psalm 100:1-5) Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.
3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.
3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.
5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.
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