Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" -A Swelling Anthem - Conclusion

 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!

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Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A Swelling Anthem - Continue

 Already "from the extremity of the earth . . . the sea and . . .  islands, millions of humans are singing a new song in association with Jehovah's global organization. (Isaiah 42:10; Psalm 150:1-6) This joyous praise3 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 the honor and the glory and the might forever and ever." There will be no dissenting voice at all in the universe. 

What a joyful time that will be! Surely, what John describes here makes our hearts swell with happiness ad 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 worshipped. - REVELATION 5:14. 

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A Swelling Anthem - Conclusion

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Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A Swelling Anthem - Continue

 When does this superb anthem shine forth? It began in the Lord's day. After Satan and his demons were cast out of the heavens, "every creature that is in the 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 late 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 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. 

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A Swelling Anthem - Continue 

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Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A Swelling Anthem

In the scene described by John, the hosts 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 the glory God the Father." Thus, John goes on to report: "And every creature that is in 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 honor and the glory and the might forever and ever.' - REVELATION 5:13.

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A Swelling Anthem

Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A Heavenly Chorus

 How do others of the vast heavenly host of Jehovah's organization respond to this new song? John thrills to behold their heartfelt accord: "And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, and the number of them was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: 'The Lamb that was slaughtered is worthy to receive the power and the riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.' " (Revelation 5:11, 12) What an impressive song of praise! 

Does this mean that now Jesus has somehow replaced Jehovah God and that all creation has turned to praising him rather that his Father? Far from Rather, this song of praise is in harmony with what the apostle Paul wrote:  "God exalted [Jesus] to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11) Jesus here is extolled because of his part in settling the primary issue before all creation-the vindication of Jehovah's rightful sovereignty. What glory, indeed, this has brought to his Father!

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A Swelling Anthem

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Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A New Song - Continue

 Here, though, the 24 elders sing a new song before Jesus rather than before Jehovah. But the principle is the same. They praise Jesus for the new things that he, as God's Son, has done in their behalf. By means of his blood, he meditated the new covenant and thus made possible the bringing forth of a new nation as Jehovah's special possession. (Romans 2:28, 29; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 7:18-25) Members of this new spiritual nation came from many fleshly nations, but Jesus united them into one congregation as one nation. - ISAIAH 26:2; 1 PETER 2:9, 10. 

When Jehovah formed the Israelites into a nation back in the days of Moses, he made a covenant with them and promised that if they would remain faithful to that covenant, they would become a kingdom of priests before him. (Exodus 19:5, 6) The Israelites were not faithful and never experienced the realization of that promise. On the other hand, the new nation, formed by virtue if the covenant mediated by Jesus has remained faithful. Its members therefore get to rule over the earth as kings and also to serve as priests, help righthearted ones among mankind to be reconciled to Jehovah. (Colossians 1:20) It is just as the new song expresses it: "And you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth." (Revelation 5:10) What joy those 24 elders have in singing this new song of praise to the glorified Jesus! 

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A Heavenly Chorus

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Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A New Song

 A Melodic song rings forth. It is sung to the Lamb by his priestly associates, the 24 elders: "And they sing a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slaughtered and with your blood you bought persons for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.' " (Revelation 5:9) The expression "new song" occurs several times in the Bible and usually refers to praising Jehovah for some mighty act of deliverance. (Psalm 96:1; 98:1; 144:9) Thus, the song is new because the singer can now proclaim additional wonderful works of Jehovah and express renewed appreciation for His glorious name. 

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A New Song - Continue

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Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - Songs of Praise

 In ancient Israel, entry into the Most Holy before the symbolic presence of Jehovah was limited to the high priest. For him, carrying incense was a life-or-death matter, Jehovah's Law said:"[Aaron] must take the fire holder full of burning  coals of fire from off the altar before Jehovah, ad the bellows of both his hands full of fine perfumed incense, and he must bring them inside the curtain. He must also put the incense upon the fire before Jehovah, and the cloud of the incense must overspread the ark cover, which is upon the testimony, that he may not die. (Leviticus 16:12, 13) It was impossible for the high priest to penetrate successfully into the Most Holy unless he burned incense. 

In the Christian system of things not only the antitypical High Priest, Jesus Christ, but also each of the 144,000 underpriests eventually get to enter the antitypical Most Holy, the place of Jehovah's presence in heaven. (Hebrews 10:19-23) Entry into this Most Holy is impossible for these priests, as represented here by the 24 elders, unless they 'burn incense' that is constantly offer up prayers and supplications to Jehovah. - HEBREWS 5:7; JUDE 20, 21: compare PSALM 141:2. 

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - A New Song

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Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - Songs of Praise

How do those others before Jehovah's throne read: "And when he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having such one a harp and golden bowls that were full of incense, and the incense means the prayers of the holy ones." (Revelation 5:8) Like the four cherubic living creatures before God's throne, the 24 elders bow to Jesus in acknowledgment of his authority. But these elders are along in having harps and bowls of incense. And they alone now sing a new song, (Revelation 5:9) Thus they resemble the 144,000 of the holy "Israel of God," who also carry harps and sing a new song. (Galatians 6:16; Colossians 1:12; Revelation 7:3-8; 14:1-4) Further, the 24 elders are shown to fulfill a heavenly priestly function, pictured by that of the [priests in ancient Israel who burned incense to Jehovah in the tabernacle-a function that ended on earth when God took the Mosaic Law out of the way, nailing it to Jesus' torture stake. (Colossians 2:14) What conclusion do we draw from all of this? That here the anointed overcomers are seen in their ultimate assignment as 'priests of God and of the Christ, ruling as kings with him for the thousand years.' - REVELATION 20:6. 

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?"  - Songs of Praise

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Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" -'The Lamb That Was Slaughtered' - Conclusion

 Moreover, Jessus is filled to completeness with holy spirit, as pictured by the Lamb's seven eyes, which "the seven spirits of God." Jesus is a channel through whom the fullness of Jehovah's active force flows to His earthly servants. (Titus 3:6) Evidently, it is by this same spirit that he sees from heaven what is happening here on earth. Like his Father, Jesus has perfect discernment. Nothing escapes his notice. (Compare Psalm11:4; Zechariah 4:10) Clearly, his Son- the integrity keeper who conquered the world, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David; the one who offered his life for mankind; the one with complete authority, fullness of holy spirit, and perfect discernment from Jehovah God - yes, this one is outstandingly worthy to take the scroll out of Jehovah's hand. Does he hesitate to accept this commission of service in Jehovah's lofty organization? No! Rather, "he went and at once took it [the scroll] out of the right hand of One seated on the throne." (Revelation 5:7) What a find example of willing compliance!

Next time: Chapter Fifteen/"Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?" - 'The Lamb That Was Slaughtered' - Songs of Praise

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