The Theology of Worship Music – Revelation Song by Jennie Lee Riddle

The Theology of Worship Music – Revelation Song

by Jennie Lee Riddle

Revelation Song is one of the first songs I recall singing that had a pure focus on Jesus Christ. Even though the song is not directed to Him until verse three, it contains such Word-filled praise that it leads the spirit of the worshipper to deeper places in God.

The imagery mentioned in the first verse comes from a book in the Bible called The Revelation of Jesus Christ. The book declares that even those who read the words contained in the book would be blessed. I believe that is one reason this song carries such a strong anointing.

Revelation 5:9-12 (ESV) And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

The chorus follows with some very familiar song lyrics. I grew up in the Baptist church. In the Baptist Hymnal, hymn #1 is “Holy, Holy, Holy.” What a great way to start a series of songs about, and to, God.

Revelation 4:8 (ESV) And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Verse two continues with more imagery of Jesus revealed in The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 10:1 (ESV) Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire.

Revelation 4:5 (ESV) From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,

The final verse of this great hymn reminds me of another verse that contains the familiar words of the chorus, “Holy, holy, holy.” Consider this verse from Isaiah.

Isaiah 6:3-4 (ESV) And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

When you read this verse is so easy to just keep going without allowing the awesome event that just occurred to sink in. As the angels sang “to one another”, the foundations of Heaven were shaken. Heaven was shaken! The Hebrew literally says, “heaven suffered structural damage.” While worshipping face to face there is something that happens between us that is a dynamic powerful enough to shake Heaven. The presence of God does “fill us with wonder.”

The mention of the name of Jesus changes us. It changes the atmosphere. It changes everything. Let’s recapture the awe of God. He is worthy of praise.