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3 They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth.
They sing a new song
The Lamb's tactical maneuvers alone will prove effective in the war to overcome all the powers of darkness, evil, violence and deception. The reason this song is new is not because it has been unknown previously or didn't exist, but rather because from our perspective, and even in the eyes of the watching universe up until the death of the Lamb, this approach seemed unfeasible at best. Yet this merely exposes the intensity of the deceptions of the enemy and proves how subtle the great deceiver has effectively distorted the reasoning of even unfallen beings, causing us to imagine that at some point God will be compelled to resort to the use of force or He will never be able to overcome the diabolical machinations of the enemy and the intimidating power of raw evil. Yet this very reasoning exposes how much we project our infected perceptions onto what we believe God must do to overcome evil, when in truth we need to embrace the Lamb's methods and motives for overcoming evil and darkness with only light.
God could have destroyed Satan and his sympathizers as easily as one can cast a pebble to the earth; but He did not do this. Rebellion was not to be overcome by force. Compelling power is found only under Satan's government. The Lord's principles are not of this order. His authority rests upon goodness, mercy, and love; and the presentation of these principles is the means to be used. God's government is moral, and truth and love are to be the prevailing power.
It was God's purpose to place things on an eternal basis of security, and in the councils of heaven it was decided that time must be given for Satan to develop the principles which were the foundation of his system of government. He had claimed that these were superior to God's principles. Time was given for the working of Satan's principles, that they might be seen by the heavenly universe. {DA 759}
(For anyone interested, I have compilations of quotations that flush these principles out more clearly.)
Coming to understand, appreciate and embrace the New Song is the most important choice we can ever make if we want to get serious about participating with heaven in this war against evil. In addition, this New Song is key to unlocking this entire prophetic revelation of Jesus Christ. Without a deeper appreciation and appropriation of this New Song in our own lives, it will be impossible to be among the overcomers who inherit the promises for them listed clearly in chapters 2 and 3. This is why it is so important for us to spend time soaking in the real meaning of what this New Song is all about, even though we introduced it in chapter 5. The truth is this – the essence of this New Song is the primary ingredient of the ammunition vitally essential for winning this war, not only by God but particularly on the part of all who are serious about following the Lamb wherever He goes.
Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on earth."
I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!"
I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!" The four living creatures said, "Amen!" The elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:8-14)
Note the strategic timing of when this New Song first appears in the flow of events. It is immediately after the Lamb takes the sealed book to begin cracking open its system of lies that blocked access to the real truth that could vindicate the Father's reputation. The onlooking universe had long puzzled over some of the very same issues we struggle to make sense of ourselves, and it was only when God announced His strategy to go to the very heart of the enemy's stronghold in order to neutralize his power and break his spell, did it begin to dawn on unfallen beings that God's radical love and willingness to humble Himself to any level to win back alienated hearts was the way to win the war.
Before Christ's first advent, the sin of refusing to conform to God's law had become widespread. Apparently Satan's power was growing; his warfare against heaven was becoming more and more determined. A crisis had been reached. With an intense interest God's movements were watched by the heavenly angels. Would He come forth from His place to punish the inhabitants of the world for their iniquity? Would He send fire or flood to destroy them? All heaven waited the bidding of their Commander to pour out the vials of wrath upon a rebellious world. One word from Him, one sign, and the world would have been destroyed. The worlds unfallen would have said, "Amen. Thou art righteous, O God, because Thou hast exterminated rebellion."
But "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God might have sent His Son to condemn, but He sent Him to save. Christ came as a Redeemer. No words can describe the effect of this movement on the heavenly angels. With wonder and admiration they could only exclaim, "Herein is love!" {RC 58}
The effect of God's strategy in sending His personal representative to save instead of condemn as the angels expected Him to do, constitutes the essence of why this Song is called New. It was startlingly different from what the watching universe expected, and that in itself is indicative of the insidious infection of Satan's logic that has permeated thinking everywhere. This is primarily about God's salvation, the salvaging of God's reputation from the damage brought to it through Satan's assertions.
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. They cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 7:9-12)
I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty! Righteous and true are your ways, you King of the nations. Who wouldn't fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed." (Revelation 15:2-4)
[Old Song] After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory belong to our God: for true and righteous are his judgments. For he has judged the great prostitute, who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality, and he has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand." A second said, "Hallelujah! Her smoke goes up forever and ever." The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, "Amen! Hallelujah!"
[Invitation to recalibrate] A voice came forth from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, the small and the great!"
[New Song] I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns! Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready." (Revelation 19:1-7)
Rejoice in Yahweh, you righteous! Praise is fitting for the upright. Give thanks to Yahweh with the lyre. Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings. Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy! For the word of Yahweh is right. All his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh. (Psalms 33:1-5)
I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand. He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh. (Psalms 40:1-3)
It is new because it is opposite of fear, despair and self-focus. It is all about elevating God's reputation.
Sing to Yahweh a new song! Sing to Yahweh, all the earth. Sing to Yahweh! Bless his name! Proclaim his salvation from day to day! Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised! He is to be feared above all gods. (Psalms 96:1-4)
What is becoming clear from all these references is that the New Song, the most potent ammunition in this war over God's reputation, is what must motivate all who choose to follow the Lamb wherever He leads them. When we come to appreciate the true nature of this Song, we begin to see it scattered all throughout Scripture and we can learn to add our own personalized experience to it just as so many have throughout history. The core message of the New Song is to focus on honoring God's reputation and withholding attention from all that is connected with the darkness. Giving glory to our God is how He is given authority by His children and accomplishes His salvation, meaning His reputation is fully salvaged.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried, and were saved; in you they trusted, and were not put to shame. (Psalms 22:1-5 NRSV)
Yahweh our God, other lords besides you have had dominion over us, but by you only will we make mention of your name. (Isaiah 26:13)
For though the fig tree doesn't flourish, nor fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food; the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in Yahweh. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Heal me, O Yahweh, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for you are my praise. (Jeremiah 17:14)
These last few references alert us to the need to practice the New Song even more when everything seems to be going wrong and our lives are falling apart all around us. This is actually when the New Song releases its power most effectively, for it is like the light of a single candle that becomes most obvious when found in the deepest darkness of night.
So the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord. The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich among the people entreat your favor. The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold. She shall be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you. With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led. They shall enter into the king's palace. (Psalms 45:11-15)
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)
See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don't quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-19)
Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name. (Hebrews 13:15)
The enormous power of this approach has seldom been seriously tapped throughout much of history. But that is going to change when the elite troops of the Lamb learn how to fight right like He does. Yet there are moments in history when we catch a glimpse of what could have been as well as what can still be if we would but learn to rely on praise to God in every situation instead of relying on our own perceptions and understanding. Here is one of the most vivid examples of the nature and power this New Song can release when people are willing to align with its purpose and spirit.
We pick up the story listening in on king Jehoshaphat appealing to God for deliverance from a coalition of forces bent on exterminating Judah and Jerusalem. Instead of casting about for allies or searching for clever resources to defend themselves, the people came together as one and focused all their attention on seeking God as their only option.
Now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them, and didn't destroy them; behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. Our God, will you not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are on you.
All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. Then on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of Yahweh in the midst of the assembly; and he said, Listen you, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you king Jehoshaphat: Thus says Yahweh to you, Don't be afraid you, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow go you down against them: behold, they come up by the ascent of Ziz; and you shall find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand you still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; don't be afraid, nor be dismayed: tomorrow go out against them: for Yahweh is with you.
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshipping Yahweh. The Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.
They rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: believe in Yahweh your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall you prosper. When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who should sing to Yahweh, and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army, and say, Give thanks to Yahweh; for his loving kindness endures forever.
When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set ambushers against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, utterly to kill and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, everyone helped to destroy another. When Judah came to the place overlooking the wilderness, they looked at the multitude; and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there were none who escaped. (2 Chronicles 20:10-24)
I am convinced that this story is God's message to the universe exposing how evil will be finally defeated in the end. It was not God who killed all those enemies, but rather they turned on each other in reaction to the power of praise for God's goodness and graciousness. Evil cannot stand to abide in the presence of God's graciousness. That was evident when demons possessing human beings were confronted with the loving presence of Jesus; they became extremely agitated and could not remain long, even accusing Him of coming to torment them. Torment is what naturally occurs whenever evil is exposed by the light of God's love. Jesus called this reaction judgment. This is how God wins and neutralizes the power of the enemy in the end. The light of His love and truth becomes so evident that in the end no one can hide from it and evil looses all its force against righteousness but turns its power inward on those who continue to cling to it, bringing confusion, terror and rage that is unleashed against anyone nearby. The method for winning this battle in Jehoshaphat's time parallels the method that will accomplish the same result both in our days as well as at the end of time after the millennium. And central to this victory is the power of the New Song unleashed by those choosing to trust God with all their heart and depend entirely on Him regardless of any amount of danger threatening them.
This New Song is called new partly because it is linked with a number of other new's throughout Scripture. Consider the importance of these other things identified as being new:
A new covenant (Jer. 31:31; Matt. 26:28; Mrk. 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25; 2 Cor. 3:6; Heb. 8:8,13; 9:15; 12:24)
A new commandment (John 13:34; 1 John 2:7-8; 2 Joh 1:5)
A new way (Heb. 10:20)
A new name (Rev. 2:17; 3:12; Isa. 62:2)
A new heart (Eze. 18:31; 36:26)
A new spirit (Eze. 11:19; 18:31; 36:26)
A new creation/creature/identity (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; Eph. 2:15; 4:24; Col. 3:10)
Jesus' version of new wine (Matt. 9:17; Mrk. 2:22; Luke 5:37-39)
New treasures (Matt. 13:52)
New teaching (Mrk. 1:27; Acts 17:19)
God's love is new every morning (Lam. 3:22-23)
New fruit from Tree of Life (Rev. 22:1-2; Eze. 47:12)
A new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:1; Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13)
All things made new (Rev. 21:5; Isa. 42:9; 43:19; 48:6; Jer. 31:22; 1 Cor. 5:7; 2 Cor. 5:17)
(For those who want more, I have compiled several documents related to this New Song in my pursuit to not only understand the nature of it, but how I may personally experience its inherent power.)
