The New Song
(Rev 5:8-14)
The first level of gratitude is giving thanks for prosperity and the second level is giving thanks that we dont share others misfortune. The third is giving thanks regardless of our fortune or misfortune, which is true gratitude. Robert Amons said true gratitude is recognizing that we receive grace we dont deserve. The more mature we grow, the more we give thanks and vice versa. The new song is sung by those who give the third level of gratitude, which leads other people to sing along also. How then can we sing the new song?
1. We need to build the altar of our prayer. The theme of Revelation is the judgment and salvation through the Lamb. Through our new song offered with prayer, judgment will be changed into salvation. Every single syllable of our prayer offered to God in golden bowls will be piled up in the heavenly kingdom. The incense in Exodus 30:37~38 refers to the prayer offered in Gods way, not in our own way. This prayer focused on Gods will is holy prayer, a new song. Holy prayer is the one that we pray in the midst of trial. The desperate prayer of the Israelites under the persecution of Rome was offered in golden bowls. They escaped Egypt, but they changed Rome by living there. Thats why we shouldnt be depressed no matter how tough our life might be, but looking only to the eternal glory to come. God gave us the instruction of the prayer. We cant long for the heavenly kingdom just the way we are. We can be truly Gods people only when we live as foreigners and slaves on earth for 400 years. Yet, we want be a master, not a servant. The best helper for our traveller mindset is our family. When our family upsets us, we whisper, 'Look only to God! Everything on earth is empty.' Thus our problem family members are the best contributor to our heavenly citizenship. May all of us and our family be saved through our prayer from the judgment of Gods wrath!
2. We need to sing the song of salvation. The song of salvation is praising Jesus, the Lamb. Praising Jesus, the Lamb as the only one, worthy of our praise and glory is the sign of our salvation. Having something other than Jesus Christ is the sign of judgment to come. The theme of this new song is that only Jesus is the reason of our life and the foundation of our salvation. Notice the Lamb was crucified without using his almighty power while many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, praised him. Thus salvation comes when we dont use our power. Just as countless angels stand around Jesus and us, who are saved by him, we also need to stand among them for those who will be saved. God gave us the great commission to go for others salvation as he commanded the Israelites to proceed to Rome. Rome must have noticed the Israelites singing their new song of sacrifice. We are selfish by nature. Thats why God lets us be persecuted. Heman, the musician in 1 Chronicles went through lots of trials from childhood. However, he called his 14 sons by the names that imply praise. Thus Hemans experience of trials from childhood made him sing a new song. Likewise, Im also singing a new song to my congregation even though I majored in piano. When we sing the song of new values, people around us will join us singing the new song of salvation.
3. God will give us proper leadership. As in todays passage, the Lamb is worthy to open the seals of the scroll and worthy of our praise because he was crucified. Thus God considers us worthy of leadership when we decide to sacrifice ourselves like Jesus as a kernel of wheat. Leadership is serving. Genesis 4:19~22 shows us the song of the sword, the counterpart of a new song. It was sung by Lamech in commemoration of his cruel murder, showing off his power and wealth. Jesus changed the world not as a snarling Lion, but as a slain Lamb. We also need to show the Lambs power, not ours, which will bring us true leadership. Those who are ready to serve are to take the leadership. When we show this leadership through our new song wherever we are, we can bring the gospel and salvation to others. Self-sufficiency brings us the leadership. After staying in my own position as a student, a wife, and a mother, I was led to my current position of a pastor. We do not fail to enjoy self-sufficiency because of our poor school work or trivial position in our workplace or even our unfortunate marriage. Its because we dont recognize the ministry of the Lamb. Thats why we cant find anything meaningful in our life.
Heres the confession of a pastors wife. 'I used to give thanks to God every day for his grace of saving our family from being broken. As time went by, the overwhelming joy began to fade away in the river of peace and prosperity. Addicted to exercise, I spent my time and energy in that. Prayer and meditation were just a daily routine. But I thought I was in the right track as a pastors wife. With special affection and pity on me, God awakened me with my husbands affair as he promised that he would punish sinners. When I was pining away with resentment, God led me to Wooridle Church where I learned how to sing a new song. The song was my confession that I was a sinner. My crooked heart distorted with bitterness was turned into a repenting heart while I was listening to the sermon. I realized that I was a fastidious wife, bristling with a right and wrong attitude and that I was a sheer egoist despite my proclamation of love for God.'
Our Christians mission is to sing a new song of salvation even in the midst of our toughest situation. By taking the road of patience, we will witness our Rome surrender and save many souls under its reign. After revealing the heavenly throne and giving us his instruction of our duty, God tells to save others through our new song. May God bless us all to carry out this mission with our new song!
And they sang a new song: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.' (Rev 5:9)
