Word of Encouragement (10/26/2021)
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Rev. 5:12)!
This is the praise that the hosts of angels sang in response to the praise, which the four living creatures and twenty-four elders offered to the Lamb (Rev. 5:9-10). The first part of this praise, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,” should be seen as a summary of the previous praise, which prompted the angels to join in praise. As many have noticed, the angels ascribe seven things to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. As John Gill put it, this is only appropriate for the Lamb “with seven horns and with seven eyes” (Rev. 5:6). We noted in our reflection on the previous praise that what Jesus is worthy to receive are not these things, which He already possess in infinite perfection as God the Son; rather, Jesus is worthy to receive praise for His possession of them. John Gill goes on to explain why Jesus deserves the praise of each of these things. He does a wonderful job of this so I’ll simply share what he says:
“power” belongs to him, as he is the mighty God; and as the Saviour and Redeemer of his people; and as risen from the dead, and as exalted at God's right hand, and made or declared Lord and Christ; having all power in heaven and in earth:
“riches” may well be ascribed to him, who has all the perfections of deity in him; whose are the heavens and the earth, and the fulness thereof; and who, as Mediator, is heir of all things, and has both the riches of grace and glory in his hands:
“wisdom” also is his; he is wisdom itself, he is the only wise God; and he is the author of all wisdom, natural and spiritual; and, as Mediator, he has the spirit of wisdom and knowledge resting on him, and the treasures of both hid in him:
and “strength” may be well attributed to him, which he has shown in making and supporting all things; in saving and redeeming his people with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; and in subduing and vanquishing all his and their enemies; and in giving strength to them to discharge their duty, resist temptations, oppose corruptions, and do their generation work:
“honour” is due to him, as the Son of God, he being to be honoured equally as the Father; and who, as man and Mediator, is crowned with glory and honour:
“glory” is what ought to be ascribed unto him, even the glory of true and proper deity, and also the glory of salvation; and who, as Mediator, had a glory promised him, and which was due unto him upon his having finished his work, and which he now enjoys:
wherefore “blessing” is to be given to him, who is God over all, blessed for evermore, in himself and the perfections of his nature; in whom all spiritual blessings are, and in whom all the nations of the earth are blessed; and to whom praise and thanks are to be rendered, for the blessings of pardoning, justifying, and redeeming grace, and for all other.
Let us join together with the myriads of angels in heaven and declare Christ worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!