Worthy the Lamb!

My family bought me the latest CD by the Gaither Vocal Band, "Reunited", for Christmas.  I absolutely LOVE all the songs on it!  Today I was listening to my iPod as I was outside cutting wood (something that makes it somewhat bearable in 0 degree weather). :)  It played the song "Worthy the Lamb" from the new album, and that got me thinking.  The song describes the hopelessness of Satan's captives, kept in chains that have no key.  And the question is asked, "Is there no one worthy to set us free?"  Then the song describes the glorious scene presented in Revelation chapter 5.  Jesus Christ is found worthy, and so the anthem swells "Worthy, worthy, worthy the Lamb that was slain!"  Then the scene switches to that glorious day at the end of time, when the angels and the saints, holding their crowns in their hands, swell the glorious anthem again.

Can you imagine that scene?  Standing in the Holy City before the throne of God Himself!  Around us stand an innumerable company, the redeemed of all ages, our friends and loved ones from earth; and beyond them, the angels, cheribum and seraphim, greater in number than the sand of the sea and the stars of the universe put together.  Trillions upon trillions of them.  And beyond them, the surpassing glories of the New Jerusalem.  Gold and silver in abundance, reflecting the dazzling glory of God.  Then suddenly, we hear music.  The great angelic orchestra playing music sweeter than we have ever heard.  Then the voices of that inumerable throng join together singing "Worthy the Lamb that was slain!"  The music swells as the voices and instruments reach the climax.  "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!"  And then the refrain, "Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain!"  Oh what tongue or pen can tell of the glories that we shall experience!  As the last echoes of the beautiful music fade, the entire company casts their crowns at His feet and bow in worship.  As they try to recall the troubles and heartaches of earth, they seem so small and insignificant in comparisan to the eternal weight of glory all around them, that they shout "Allelujah, heaven is cheap enough!"

Very soon now, Jesus will be coming to take us home.  How often we get discouraged by the things of this life, but rest assured, heaven will be cheap enough!  If we would ever keep in mind the sufferings of our Saviour and the glories of the home above, we would never fall to temptation!  We must look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, "Who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."  He is there now.  He is preparing a place for us!  Won't you join me in a commitment to keep our eyes on Jesus, count the things of this world as rubbish, and press toward the mark of our high calling?  If so, I'm looking forward to joining you in that chorus, "Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain!"