The Greatest Worship Set Ever
Jun 9 2023 - Eric Buresh
In my last post, we looked at the incredible perfections of our future home, the New Jerusalem. Where God is the radiant light for which the summer sun now gives us just a weak glimpse. In May each year, I like to read through Revelation and think about being, physically, in the presence of God. I am so thankful for the gift He gave me (and many of us) of faith. That by depending on Christ’s death, His spilled blood, and His resurrection for our righteousness, we too will be resurrected, viewed by God as righteous through Christ, and live physically with God where our joy and pleasure will erupt to His glory for all eternity.
Why Revelation in May? As my wife and I like to say when May arrives, “And thus begins insanity.” For us, May marks the beginning of one of the busiest times of the year. Everything seems to happen at once, and all the events are, in and of themselves, good and valuable things. But also overwhelming and it is easy to lose focus on the Spirit’s leading and start to walk in the impatient and frustrated flesh that so beguiles us. Colossians 3:1-2 reminds us to “seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” So, May is a time when I literally set my mind on things above through the book of Revelation as an antidote to the craziness of summer.
Today, I wanted to look at one of my personal favorite pictures of heaven found in Revelation 5. I encourage you to read the chapter. It’s beautiful, intense, and powerful! For those of you who love worship nights at Grace (like me), I think you’ll find something to which you can look forward – the greatest worship set ever!
Ultimately, we’re going to hear three choruses sung by an immensely expanding choir, but before we get to the music, let’s begin with the setting. It is time for the final stages of redemptive history to unfold. God the Father holds the scroll with the final plans written inside. No created being is worthy to take the scroll and read it. But, hallelujah, there is another uncreated being – Jesus Christ – the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He can take the scroll! And when the crowd of elders parts, we see Him. He doesn’t look like a Lion – He looks like a lamb that had been slain. In fact, it was exactly because He willingly became the lamb, the slain sacrifice, that He is the Lion that will consume death and Satan! He can take the scroll! Full and final redemption and life comes!
Can you feel it in your heart? Worship rising! Anticipation, excitement, joy, praise! The elders feel it. They fall face down and sing:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”
The understanding of what is happening spreads and the worship expands. Now, 100 million angels (at least) join the second chorus of praise:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
The voices of 100 million angels blow the doors off this worship night and all the rest of us can no longer contain ourselves and we join in, singing:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
My mind can’t generate words to do this scene justice. It’s too big. But we can have a taste of it now. I’m getting down on my knees, face down, to listen and sing my favorite version of Worthy of It All (mine is done by Shane & Shane if you don’t have one). The song is drawn from Revelation 4 and 5. Join me in worship as we set our minds on things above!