Verse 10: “And You have made them kings and priests to our God, and they shall reign over the earth.” 

In Exodus 19v6, God’s plan was to take the 12 tribes of Israel and make them into a kingdom of priests. [Their calling was to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12v3) and a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49v6 and Acts 13v47)] They were not ready for what God wanted to do and, at Mt Sinai when God started to approach them in order to bring about a transition in their lives, they rebelled. They chose to listen to a man (Moses) over God. God’s plan never changed. His desire is still for a kingdom of kings and priests to rule and reign with Him. 

True believers in Messiah have been equipped, as a new creation, with this potential to rule and reign in this world. [Sadly, we so often quench the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4v30 and 1 Thessalonians 5v19) and don’t reach the full potential of God, in our lives, in this age.] 

Verse 11: “And I saw and heard the voices of many angels round about the throne, and about the creatures and the elders. Their number was exceedingly great – tens of thousands and thousands of thousands.” 

Verse 12: “And they called in a great voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and splendor and glory and blessing.” 

This verse alludes to Daniel 7v13-14 and Philippians 2v6-11 Messiah emptied and humbled Himself, even to the point of death on a cross. Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place. These angels are saying that He is worthy of it all. 

Verse 13: “And all of the creatures, which are in heaven and in the earth and under the earth and which are upon the sea and all which is in the sea, all of them I heard them speak saying: ‘To the One who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb, blessing and honour and glory and power forever and ever!’” 

The position of the Lamb changes throughout this book. From being near the throne, to being on the right hand of the throne, and more and more He is likened to the One who sits upon the throne. We are given a glimpse into this transition that is happening. The time is coming when the Father gives all aspects of judgement to the Son, who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 

Verse 14: “And the four creatures said ‘Amen’. And the twenty-four elders fell upon their faces and worshiped the One who lives forever and ever.” 

Amen means “that is true”. It is also a word that demands a response, that of submission. Messiah is worthy of, and has earned, our obedience. He didn’t need to do a single thing, to be worthy of our worship or obedience, but nevertheless he emptied Himself to death, for us, so that we could experience redemption. So that we could be transformed by the Holy Spirit. So that we could have the privilege of serving Him and demonstrating His power in our lives. 

Whenever we see Messiah Yeshua’ s true identity revealed, when He is proclaimed or when He takes His rightful place, the elders fall down and worship. The more aware we are about what Messiah is doing in our lives, the more we will worship Him. 

‘Fell upon their faces’ is a total act of surrender. They are in submission and humble before God. 

Humility positions us to worship God