Summary
Not just the angels, but all of God’s creatures unite in praise of God and the Lamb.
Analysis
Revelation is a book full of singing and snippets of song and Revelation 5 presents such a scene. Reminiscent of Isaiah’s vision of the seraphs praising the Lord, John sees all of creationCreation, in biblical terms, is the universe as we know or perceive it. Genesis says that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. In the book of Revelation (which speaks of end times) the author declares that God created all things and... join together in praise of God (IsaiahIsaiah, son of Amoz, who prophesied in Jerusalem, is included among the prophets of the eighth century BCE (along with Amos, Hosea, and Micah)--preachers who boldly proclaimed God's word of judgment against the economic, social, and religious disorders of their time. 6:1-3). Like Isaiah, John begins his description with the angels and the heavenly beings, including the four living creatures (5:11). In an unexpected twist, the heavenly host directs their first song to the Lamb, highlighting that despite it being slaughtered, it is “worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, "The fear of the... and might and honor and glory and blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God's favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God.” (5:12). John then expands on Isaiah’s vision, naming all of creation. Not just the creatures in heaven, but also those on earth, under the earth and in the sea, sing together. The combined song of all creation praises the one seated on the throne and the Lamb together, offering them “blessing and honor and glory and might” (5:13). John concludes this singing with the “Amen” of the four living creatures and then the eldersElders are leaders who exercise wisdom or leadership by virtue of their age and experience. In the New Testament elders, along with the chief priests and scribes, constituted the primary opposition to Jesus when he taught in Jerusalem. in heaven fallThe Fall refers specifically to the disobedience of Adam and Eve when they listened to Satan rather than adhering to God's command not to eat the fruit from the tree. When people act contrary to God's will, they are said to fall from from grace... down and worship both God and the Lamb (5:14). This episode of praise and worship is part of a pattern of christological claims in Revelation, in which John describes God and JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. Christ on equal terms and receiving equal worship. These can also be seen in the description of both of them as Alpha and Omega (1:8, 22:13).
