We continue with the series of gains of our redemption, having looked at the inward blessing. We moved further today to examine redemption package Christ obtained for us to live a fulfilled life.
“WHY THE LOUD VOICE?
Saying with a loud voice…. Rev.5:12a
- Rev. 5:10- numerous angels were involved in the shouts- (Daniel 7:10). So, the whole of heaven could hear their voices
- It signifies their zeal, fervour, and affection for Christ, and
- it is to make a free, open, and public acknowledgment of Jesus, the lamb (our redeemer)
- so that everyone and all nations might hear of his worthiness, and of the praise and glory that were due unto him:
A. WORTHINESS OF THE LAMB
worthy is the Lamb that was slain…..;
- 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– Rev.5:9
- they address him as the Lamb, and not as the Lord of lords, and their Lord; and speak of him as having been slain and celebrate the virtue and efficacy of his sufferings and death, and ascribe his worthiness to receive glory and honour thereunto.
- The first mention of the Lamb in the Scriptures is in Genesis 22nd, when Isaac asked the question “Where is the lamb?”; and the last time is in the closing chapter of the Bible, in the Book of Revelation.
- In the first the altar is in view of the sacrifice, but in the last the Lamb is upon the throne. The first has in view the offering up of Christ, but in the last we find the throne of God has become the throne of God and of the Lamb.
- Recall the Passover lamb (Exodus 12) vs the lamb of God- John 1:29; 34-35; 1 Pet 1:19. We are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb, not only “without blemish” inwardly, but also “without spot” outwardly.
- Not only redeemed from the hand of the physical enemy like the Israel was from the power of Pharaoh in Egypt… but thank God (1 Cor.15:57), we are “redeemed to God,”
B. THE SEVEN-FOLDS GAINS CHRIST WON FOR THE REDEEMED
Everyone who come will receive what He has- John 1:16- “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in a place of grace already given.” In other words, grace upon grace. This passage tells us that Jesus’ fullness is the never-ending source of grace
to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing
- When he is said to be worthy to receive these, it is not to be understood of his receiving the things themselves, but of the praise of them.
- Our redeemer is all sufficient God; our all-in-all, who is not in need of anything but received for all that is needed for life ( Psalm 50:12; 2 Pet.1:3)
i. Power belongs to him and so He has given all the redeemed…..as he is the mighty God; and as the Saviour and Redeemer of his people; and as risen from the dead, and as exalted at God’s right hand, and made or declared Lord and Christ; having all power in heaven and in earth:- Matt.28:18.
Therefore, he gave us power for accomplishment in life- (Phil.4:13) and perfection (2 Cor.12:9), both in our inner man (Eph.3:16) and outward sustainability (Col.1:11)
ii. “Riches belong to Him and freely He has given us……” Riches is well be ascribed to our redeemer, who has all the perfections of deity in him; whose are the heavens and the earth, and the fulness thereof; and who, as Mediator, is heir of all things (Heb.1:2), and has both the riches of grace and glory in his hands ( Eph.1:7, 18; Col.2:3)
He has therefore made us rich and prosperous (2 Corinthians 8:9; Job 36:11) and meet all our need (Phil.4:19; Psalm 23:1) and to abound in every good work (2 Cor.9:8)
iii. “Wisdom” also is His and ours…….; he is wisdom itself, he is the only wise God; and he is the author of all wisdom, natural and spiritual; and, as Mediator, he has the spirit of wisdom and knowledge resting on him, and the treasures of both hid in him: (1 Cor.1:24; Col.2:3).
The wisdom of God has been transferred to us at redemption, therefore we are wise (Prov. 3:13-16; 1 Cor.1:24, 30; Col.2:3) for He has lavished on us (James 1:5; 17;). Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all Wisdom and Prudence- Eph.1:8
iv. “Strength is also ascribed to Him so we are strengthened through Him…strength is well attributed to Christ our redeemer, which he has shown in making and supporting all things; in saving and redeeming his people with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; and in subduing and vanquishing all his and our enemies.
At redemption, He then gave strength to all the redeemed to discharge their duties, resist temptations, oppose corruptions, and do their generation work: (Phil.2:13; 1 Tim.1:12; 2 Tim.4:17; 1 Cor.10:13; Gal.5:16-17). “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4.
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay
v. “Honour” is due to him, and He has given us honour…… as the Son of God, he being to be honoured equally as the Father; and who, as man and Mediator, is crowned with glory and honour: Glory and honour are also part of the attributes of Jesus Christ, as He and the Father are one (John 10:30; 17:11,22).
The honour God gave man began from creation- “For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:5), this honour was restored at redemption-( Heb.2:8-10)- Verses 9-10 say, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings”.
vi. “Glory is also unto Him….” is what ought to be ascribed unto him, even the glory of true and proper deity, and also the glory of salvation; and who, as Mediator, had a glory promised him, and which was due unto him upon having finished his work, and which he now enjoys on God’s right hand:
Redemption afford us glory in Christ and take us to realm we wouldn’t have being
vii. “Blessing” is to be given to him who has blessed us with all manners of blessing- Ephesians 1;3; 2 Pet.1:3-4…., Blessed is our redeemer, who is God over all, blessed for evermore, in himself and the perfections of his nature; in whom all spiritual blessings are, and in whom all the nations of the earth are blessed; (Rev. 5:10-11).