The Slain Lamb’s Reign
David Bahn-Reflections Podcast
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
5:6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each 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 scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”13 And 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 blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
– Revelation 1:1-3; 5:6-14 [ESV]
It’s Not Over is the name of a video we used several years ago at Easter. Don’t try a simple Google search for this video – the results will lead you to a totally different kind of video. The one I’m talking about highlights a football game that was down to the last seconds and the team that was so very far behind pulls off a miraculous win. Then another example, and another, of people who were counted out only make a come back or win in the last seconds, or prove in one way or another that even when it seemed it was all over, actually it was not all over. Then it showed Jesus on the cross. In the grave he lay. Sad disciples lamented his doom. But it wasn’t all over. Jesus rose from the dead. The greatest comeback story of all time. The very greatest.
The Lamb who was slain has, by his blood…
…ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
[He has] made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
Because of that, the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, sing,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
The Lamb was slain for our sins. He has purchased and won us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He has redeemed us and ransomed us from death and the grave, from an eternity of regret and hopelessness. He did that by his death.
But he is no longer dead. He is alive, and declared to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the grave (Romans 1:4). He reigns on high, far above all rule and authority in heaven and on earth. Every tongue will confess that he is Lord. Every knee will bow. Every sneer will evaporate in humility and submission. Every curse, dismissal, despisal, and notion of disdain will be shown to have been so totally vapid and futile. And all the while the whole company of heaven will be singing the Lamb’s praises.
In the meantime, we have songs of praise to sing as well. With delight we call this Lamb our worthy Lord and God. We delight in his good will in our hearts and lives. We rejoice in his mercy that is new every moment. We praise him for his love, and see his reign even now by faith.
These hymns express something we do not yet see, but which we believe. For now Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, rules our hearts by grace through faith. We delight in him and look for his influence in our lives and the lives of our families and friends, our neighbors near and far.
Psalm 22:3 says that God is enthroned on the praises of Israel. So let us enthrone him now in our praises and worship. He is worthy. And we are all the better for his reign here and now, and for all eternity.
David Bahn - Reflections 
…our prayers, KEPT by our Holy Savior God in golden bowls…wow… truly BEAUTIFUL to be counted as this precious. Thank you for sharing this!
You’re welcome! It was a new insight for me as well.
Blessings! David >
This now also reminds me that our tears are counted and in a bottle… not brushed aside and of no notable accounting. It is difficult to take in being this precious…
Psalm 56:8