Revelation 5:6-14
6 And I looked, and behold,[a] in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “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, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth. 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing! 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever! 14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
啟5:6-14
6 我又看見寶座與四活物並長老之中、有羔羊站立、像是被殺過的、有七角七眼、就是 神的七靈、奉差遣往普天下去的。7這羔羊前來、從坐寶座的右手裏拿了書卷。8他既拿了書卷、四活物和二十四位長老、就俯伏在羔羊面前、各拿著琴、和盛滿了香的金爐.這香就是眾聖徒的祈禱。9他們唱新歌、說、你配拿書卷、配揭開七印.因為你曾被殺、用自己的血從各族各方、各民各國中買了人來、叫他們歸於 神、10又叫他們成為國民、作祭司、歸於 神.在地上執掌王權。11我又看見、且聽見、寶座與活物並長老的周圍、有許多天使的聲音.他們的數目有千千萬萬.12大聲說、曾被殺的羔羊、是配得權柄、豐富、智慧、能力、尊貴、榮耀、頌讚的。13我又聽見、在天上、地上、地底下、滄海裏、和天地間一切所有被造之物、都說、但願頌讚、尊貴、榮耀、權勢、都歸給坐寶座的和羔羊、直到永永遠遠。14四活物就說、阿們。眾長老也俯伏敬拜。
Today's passage revealed to us a wonderful scene in heaven. It is as if there is a stage before the eternal throne of God. The spotlight shines not on the twenty-four elders, though they do receive crowns of honor, neither on the angels, however beautiful or majestic they are, but the whole focal point is on the Lamb who was slain. As a son of man Jesus lived an all-victorious life and with that spotless life He was able to redeem us all to God. He and He alone is worthy! No wonder all creation bow and give glory to Him. Oh do we not look forward to that glorious day we can all join this throng, worshipping and praising Him for ever and ever!
ReplyDeleteThe last stanza of a hymn described this beautifully:
To Thee be endless praise,
For Thou for us hast died;
Be Thou, O Lord, through endless days
Adored and magnified.
- CL