Seek First: The Color of the Kingdom (Rev 5:8-10)
Verse 9 Why is this a new song?
• Because Jesus taking the scroll to open it represents a new era in God’s redemptive history.
• What’s new about this era?
• The Lamb’s death on the cross has never happened before, nor will it happen again.
• But the imagery behind ransomed or purchased is that of slaves being freed.
o Jesus paid the price to set all slaves free once and for all.
• But what is equally important to see here is that it is all mankind that is set free.
o In the past only the Jewish nation Israel was included in God’s redemptive work.
• But now with Jesus, His redemptive work applies to all people.
• First it says every tribe: This would have been reminiscent of the 12 tribes of Israel.
o But now includes people of every tribe throughout the world.
• Then it says language: There approximately 6909 living languages in the world.
o And all of them will be in heaven.
• Then it says people: The word people has already been used by implication in the text.
• Then it ends with nation: This world could also mean race or people
• The redundancies in the song are really driving home this point.
Verse 10 All of those people just mentioned are to be a kingdom.
• And, that kingdom is the church on earth, now!!
• Because it says that they will be priests. We won’t need persist in heaven!!
o Priests are to minister before the Lord now, while we are on earth.
o And those priests will be from every tribe, tongue, people and nation.
• Then to drive home the point about this being for now the song says they will reign on earth.
The beginning: Acts 2:5
• God arranged to have every nation under heaven in Jerusalem the day the Holy Spirit was sent.
The End: Rev 7:9-10 Now this is a worship scene from heaven.
• Where every nation, tribe, people, and language are worshiping the Lord in one mass gathering.
• If this is what Heaven is like, then shouldn’t we make every effort to get the church to look like that now?
Takeaways:
• 1. We must evangelize every people group.
• 2. We must learn and appreciate worshiping together.
• 3. We must learn to appreciate the richness diversity brings to the church.
• 4. We must fight for it.
o Because diversity and unity represent the fullness of the Kingdom, the devil fights against it.
Seek First: The Color of the Kingdom
