"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"
(Revelation 5:9)
Throughout the Old Testament, a new song is sung as an expression of praise to God for granting His people victory over their enemies. Given the worthiness of the Lamb who was slain, the new song commemorates Christ’s victory over sin and death and the inauguration of the new creation. The words of the hymn clearly express this. Jesus has died for His chosen ones and in doing so purchased a people from every tribe, language, people and nation. The King is vested with an everlasting Kingdom which extends to the ends of the earth and encompasses His elect from every nation. Because Jesus has conquered death and the grave, all of His people participate in His Kingdom rule by virtue of the new creation, specifically the new birth in Christ, which John will later call “the first resurrection.” All those who are Christ’s are said to reign with Him because death has no hold upon them. The Beast may kill them, but they will reign with Christ nevertheless. And then when Christ comes back at the end of the age, God’s people will rule indeed with Him upon the renewed heaven and earth in the age to come.
(Dr. Kim Riddlebarger)
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