The narrative of chapter 5 is brief, but I really love it. “Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll” (Revelation 5:1). The “one seated on the throne” is clearly a reference to God, and yet there is a shyness about the way John speaks about God here. It is as if John can see the throne, and can see those who are near the throne, and yet does not quite dare “look” straight at God. Instead, in these two chapters (and also at the end of the book), he refers to “the one seated on the throne” (4:2, 4:9, 4:10, 5:1, 5:7, 20:11, 21:5).

The scroll in the hand of the one seated on the throne is obviously very important, and a mighty angel calls out: “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” (5:2). But no one can do it; and John finds himself weeping in anguish, because whatever is written in the scroll – the meaning of life? the redemption of humanity? – must remain forever hidden (5:3-4). But wait! Don’t weep! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered: he can open the scroll (5:5). This Lion is the Lamb of God, which has been slain and yet lives; he takes the scroll, and all heaven starts to sing (5:6-9).

“You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals,” sing the twenty-four elders, “for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation” (5:9). Then the angels – myriads of myriads of angels: that’s 100 million angels, if you’re doing the math – the angels join in: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (5:12).

Soon there are 144,000 representing the tribes of Israel (7:1-8). There are those who might tell you that that’s the sum total of the redeemed, but that assumption is mistaken. A number that represents 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes symbolically represents that “all of Israel” is being redeemed, rather than giving a specific census. Moreover, the very next verse shows us all the nations adding their voices as well: “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (7:9). There’s a lot of singing going on in heaven: singing of the redemption that Jesus has established for all us lost souls. And the song is not about a small, limited redemption – it’s not about a mere 144,000 – it’s about the death of Jesus rescuing the lost from every tribe and language and people and nation. Jesus came to save the world, they sing, and that’s what he has done.

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Help us lift up our hearts and voices to join that chorus, O Lord: for you are worthy of all our praise, and all our devotion. We were so lost: and you laid down your life to redeem us. We will live our lives in thanksgiving before you, now and forever!