Revelation 5:9

“They sang a new song.”

I find verses 9 and 10 of chapter 5 to be among the most revealing and marvelous words in all of Holy Scriptures. Each sentence, each phrase, each word spoke truth that John already knew as an Apostle and servant of Jesus Christ. But now, in a new extremity, he needed to hear it and see it again. He needed a new contemporary verse for the New Song that he had been singing for sixty some years.

The new song began, Jesus Christ is “worthy.” We recall this word, worthy, in 4:11.  There it referred to God, the Creator.  “You are worthy, our Lord God to receive glory and honor and power.”

I am still struggling to define “worthy.” It is not a word I use. The root is, of course “worth,” of value or great value. Maybe worthy means to be absolutely full of worth or worth only. Perhaps a well-used word to explain that might be, “You are deserving.”

In any case, the adjective “worthy” is used of God the Creator in chapter 4 and of Jesus Christ in this verse, 5:9, It is in the opening phrase of the New Song, “You are worthy.” This obviously refers to Jesus Christ.  He is of inestimable wealth, worthy indeed, and he deserves unlimited praise from all in heaven and on earth.

This is the centerpiece of the revelation John saw, a balm to his troubled spirit.  Jesus Christ, the Father, the Holy Spirit, are worthy of our praise, and our lives!  And they are pleased when we acknowledge that in our worship and deeds.

That worth gives profound meaning to the next phrase, “With your blood you purchased men for God.”  The sacrificial death of Jesus that enabled or purchased our salvation is the heart of the atonement.  We gaze upon the blood of Christ with wonderment and thanksgiving.

That atoning work of Jesus actually “purchased men for God.”  We are bought by the worth of God, a transaction that cannot be undone.

Who is included in this saved group?  “People from every tribe and language and people and nation.”  There it is – salvation for all – everywhere, every one for all time.

Those purchased ones become “A kingdom of priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

I can barely contain my joy when I realize, “I am one of them!”