Previously: The slaughtered Lamb (Rev. 5:6)

The scripture

Rev. 5:8 – When He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed [people] for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. ¹⁰You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth (HCSB).

Once Jesus steps forward to take the scroll from the right hand of the Father, the four living creatures and the 24 elders respond immediately. As they had previously fallen down before God’s throne, they now prostrate themselves before the Lamb in worship, a clear acknowledgement of His deity. For the first time in Revelation, they are seen with harps and incense-filled golden bowls, which are the prayers of the saints. And, for the first time, they join voices in song – not just a familiar hymn, but a “new song” declaring the worthiness of the slaughtered Lamb who has redeemed people around the globe and made them kings and priests.

Let’s look more closely at the harps, the gold bowls and the song.

Next: Each one had a harp and gold bowls (Rev. 5:8)