Honor, glory, might, dominion
To the Father and the Son
With the ever-living Spirit
While eternal ages run!
(LSB 345:5)
“And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.’”
(Revelation 7:11, 12)
St. John’s vision of the Lamb seated on the throne is a victory celebration—the grand finale. Like the end of an epic movie, the hero is surrounded by all the major (and minor) characters, shouting for joy! The enemy has been defeated! A multitude from every tribe and nation surrounds the throne in white robes (Rev. 7:9). The 24 elders and the four living creatures are also there (Rev. 4:4, 6). Now the angels join in, declaring the victory of the great hero. By His work, God has shown glory and wisdom and might.
Yet the hero is not a tall, rugged king or a young boy with unusual power. The throne isn’t even filled by a man. In John’s vision, victory belongs to the Lamb. All the celebration, all the joy isn’t for a hero who has slain the enemy but for the hero who has been slain. Jesus is the Lamb sacrificed for us. He has clothed us in white robes through His blood upon the cross. True glory, wisdom, and might is the ability to die for another. The Lamb has won!
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, You have set the Lamb slain for the world upon the throne. Wash our robes in His blood, that we may declare His victory with the great multitude of heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Written by Keith Kettner, Sem IV)