Revelation 5:8-14 / Reframing Worship

There are nine worship songs that John has interspersed throughout the narrative of Revelation. They are not original to John, most seem to come from places like Daniel 7, which has its own context completely separate from their own struggles. But also, they were likely songs that they regularly sang. These were likely familiar to them. Some scholars suspect that they are songs that were a part of the rotation of worship liturgy of the seven churches. It is the equivalent of writing a narrative theological story today and having the characters suddenly burst out with a rendition of Amazing Grace or It Is Well; songs which have their own context, but which also have deep meaning to us today.

John is giving them a gift by reframing their familiar old songs and giving them a new mindset in which to sing them.

Before and After

Imagine the week before they first received John’s letter. Perhaps they sang the songs of Revelation 5, proclaiming, "Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive honor and riches and wisdom and strength, glory and honor and blessing." They know the song's roots, but the context is so different that perhaps it lands flat.

After hearing John's vision of the throne room and feeling John’s sadness at the revelation that none are worthy but the slain Lamb, they suddenly hear their song. It is the same song, but now they hear it in a new light, sung by the elders and apostles, the winged creatures, and everyone in the throne room encircling the slain Lamb.

This song has taken on new meaning for them. The next time they see it, John Throneroom enters into their mind. They might imagine the entire scene, and then as they sing they remember John describing:

…the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders (v11)

The song is forever changed for them. John has made this song theirs. He has given it to them anew, and from this point forward, when they sing it, they picture themselves joining in with the choirs of heaven and all of creation.

In this way, John has given them a new meditation that engages their senses and places them in the story he has given to them. This allows them to lift their eyes and imaginations out of the state of affairs in which they have found themselves.

Discussion Questions

1) What goes through your mind when you participate in corporate worship?

2) If you developed a contemplative mindset to help you be spiritually grounded or formed during worship?

3) What other acts of worship do you participate in throughout the week?

4) Are there certain types of melodies or lyrical content that you connect with more than others?

5) How can the modern church do the pastoral work of framing worship for the current generation?

6) Are there any forms of worship that we have neglected or thrown out that should be given a second look? If so, what are they?