Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?"

A Swelling Anthem

In the scene described by John, the hosts of heaven are rendering melodious acclaim to Jesus in acknowledgement of his faithfulness and his heavenly authority.  In this, they are joined by voices from  the earthly realm as these two share in praising both the Father and the Son.  Just as the achievements of a human son can bring great credit to parents, so Jesus' loyal course redounds   among all creation "to the glory God the Father."  Thus, John goes on to report: "And every creature that is in the heaven and on earth and underneath the earth and on the sea, and all the things in them, I heard saying: 'To the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might forever and ever.' " -Revelation 5:13. 

When does this superb anthem sound forth?  It began early in the Lord's day. After Satan and his demons were cast out of the heavens, "every creature that is in heaven" could unite in this song of praise.  And, as the record shows, since 1919 a growing multitude on earth have united their voices in praising Jehovah, increasing from a few thousand to well over three million by the 1980's After Satan's earthly system has been destroyed, "every creature . . . "on earth" will be singing the praises of Jehovah and his Son.  In Jehovah's own due time, the resurrection  of the countless millions of dead will begin,  and then "every creature . . .  underneath the earth" that is in the memory of God will have the opportunity  to join in singing the anthem. 

Already from the extremity of the earth . .  . the sea . . .islands, "millions of humans are singing  a new son in association with Jehovah's global organization.  (Isaiah 42:10; Psalm 140:1-6) This joyous praise will reach a crescendo at the end of the Millennium, when mankind has been raised to perfection.  That old Serpent, the arch-deceiver, Satan himself, will thereafter be destroyed in complete fulfillment of Genesis 3:15, and in a triumphant climax, all living creation, spirit and human, will sing in unison:  "To the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and honor and the glory and might  forever and ever."  There will be no dissenting  voice in all the universe.

What a joyful time that will be!  Surely, what John describes here makes our heats swell with happiness and stimulates us to join the heavenly hosts in singing heartfelt praises to Jehovah God and Jesus Christ.  Are we not more determined than ever to endure in right works?  If we do so, we can expect that, with Jehovah's help, we will be there individually at the happy climax, adding our voices to that  universal chorus of praise. Certainly, the cherubic four living creatures and the resurrected anointed Christians  are in full accord, for the vision  ends with the words:  "And the four living creatures went saying:  'Amen!' and the elders fell  down and worshiped." -Revelation 5:14. 

May you, dear reader, exercise faith in the sacrifice of the Lamb-the 'worthy one'-and be blessed in your humble efforts to worship and serve  Jehovah-"the One seated upon the throne."  Let the John class help you today as it provides the needed "measure of [spiritual] food supplies at the proper time."  (Luke 12:42)   But look!  The Lamb prepares to open the seven seals.  What exciting disclosures are now in store for us?

Next time: Chapter Sixteen -Four Horsemen at the Gallop!

From the book of Revelation