Revelation 5:8-14
Worthy Is the Slain Lamb
Read the passage
8When He had taken the scroll, 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.
9And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”
11Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.
12In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
13And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!”
14And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
When the Lamb takes the scroll, the four living creatures and twenty-four elders fall before Him. Each holds a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song saying the Lamb is worthy to take the scroll and open its seals.
They praise Him because He was slain and by His blood ransomed people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation. He has made them a kingdom and priests to God, and they will reign on the earth.
John hears the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders—myriads of myriads—saying that the Lamb who was slain is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing. Every creature joins the worship of the One on the throne and the Lamb.
Being purchased for God means these people now belong to Him. Their service as priests follows their redemption; it does not pay for it. The song gives the honor to the Lamb whose blood rescued them. No tribe or language can claim to have supplied a different or better way into this people.
The praise grows until John hears every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea honoring the One on the throne and the Lamb. The living creatures say Amen, and the elders fall down in worship. The scene teaches us whom to worship and why. The Lamb's sacrifice deserves all this honor.
Questions
1 What do the golden bowls contain?
AnswerThey contain the prayers of the saints. The prayers of suffering and faithful people are present in the heavenly worship, not lost or ignored.
2 Why is the Lamb worthy?
AnswerHe was slain and by His blood ransomed people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation. His worthiness is tied to sacrificial redemption.
3 What has the Lamb made the ransomed people?
AnswerHe has made them a kingdom and priests to God, and they will reign on the earth. Redemption gives people a shared vocation, not merely private rescue.
4 Who worships at the end?
AnswerAngels, living creatures, elders, and every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea worship together. The scene is universal in scope.
What This Means for Us
Use the song's reason for praise in your own prayer: Jesus was slain and purchased people for God. Thank Him for including you in the people He saves. Pray that others, including people whose language you do not speak, will hear the good news of His sacrifice. His blood is the foundation of our shared worship.
Prayer
Worthy Lamb, You gave Your blood to purchase a people for God. Receive our thanks and praise. Bring the news of Your saving work to every people, and teach Your church to worship You together. Amen.