"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory and blessing" Revelation 5v12.
They said it "with a loud voice", it was emphatic, it was a sevenfold declaration of what God had given to the Lamb, and which they, in all their countless numbers, now acknowledged. Worthy is the Lamb to receive:
- Power - the grammatical construction of this noun demands the interpretation the very power, the power to carry the programme through. The word for power is dunamis, from which we get "dynamic." There are four words for power in the Greek, and this one means miraculous power, that which is supernatural, power to command men and angels and demons and animals and inanimate things for whatever purpose, and whenever that purpose demands. It can refer to miraculous or moral power and can be described by the reference in Philippians 3v21 "According to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself." He alone can use this power wisely, and with perfect justice and equity.
- Riches - this refers to the vast resources under His control. Back in Genesis chapter 25 a preview of this is given "and Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac." The New Testament takes up the theme and in Matthew chapter 11 Jesus said "all things are delivered unto Me by my Father." Over in John 3v35 John the Baptist reveals the following "the Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into His hand." Colossians chapter 1 reveals in verse 15 "all things were created by Him and for Him." Hebrews 1v2 says "His Son whom He hath appointed heir of all things." All His by creation, now all His by redemption and the task ahead of Him, reclamation. He has the vast riches of heaven at His disposal for the task.
- Wisdom - the word is sophia from which we derive words such as philosophy, sophistry, and the like. Wisdom is said in scripture to be the most precious commodity in existence; "Her price is far above rubies." When king Solomon was asked by God to name anything that he wanted, above everything else, he asked for wisdom. Wisdom is the ability is to put knowledge into practice. In the case of the Lamb He has perfect knowledge at all times, and He has perfect wisdom of how to use it. It is said by Paul in Colossians 2v3 that "in Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." In Proverbs 8 (written by Solomon) we find that wisdom is personified in the person of the Messiah. "I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth do I hate,,,,, by Me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By Me princes rule and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me. Riches and honour are with Me..." The Lamb is the treasury of all wisdom; "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom".
- Strength - the word is ischus and it means inward power, inherent power, a force to overcome immediate obstacles. It refers to that ability to overpower every situation. He has the power, He will use it as and when He needs to do so. Other words for power are kratos which means the extent of power and energia which means power in motion. (The effect of power in action).
- Honour - the word is time and refers to esteem or status; that which brings public distinction and value like the wearing of medals or some such distinguishing feature. The Lamb has received public acclaim in heaven and He will yet receive it on the earth and there is a day coming when it is recorded "and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother saying "know the Lord:" for they shall all know Me from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord." Jeremiah 31v34
- Glory - the word is doxa which means dignity and splendor. the best illustration of it is the opening of a flower in the rays of the sun. It is inward excellence being demonstrated outwardly. The glory of the Lamb was seen in His life here on earth, and His exalted glory and eternal glory have yet to be seen. The root meaning of the word is weight like someone who carries weight with people; weight always speaks of value which is why we have weighing scales. It means unsurpassed splendor, intrinsic worth, value beyond calculation. It is something that belongs only to Deity and the glory of God is given to the Lamb.
- Blessing - the word is eulogia it is the same as in Ephesians 1v3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." It means to speaks well of; we get the word eulogy from this. It means high praise or commendation. Once He was the song of the drunkard, of no reputation, but in the language of the prophet "He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high." There will be no lips silent in His praise. All will speak well of Him, will you do so today?
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