Revelation 5 : Taking Up Your Own Cross

**Revelation 5 <Taking Up Your Own Cross>**

**8. When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10. and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."**

Following chapter 4, John continues to show us heavenly worship. Chapter 4 depicts worship of the One seated on the throne, while chapter 5 portrays worship of the slain Lamb. The text boldly uses the very words employed to praise the Roman emperor to exalt the slain, seemingly powerless Lamb: "Worthy is the Lamb... to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"

The four living creatures, twenty-four elders, and countless angels praise the Lamb. They worship the Lamb because He ransomed people from every nation with His blood and offered them to God. God saved them, making them a kingdom and priests, and gave them authority to reign.

He saved those condemned to death because of sin. He elevated those oppressed, exploited, and humiliated by worldly powers, making them holy priests and raising them to reign as kings. All this was accomplished through the atoning blood of the Lamb who died in apparent weakness. This is why they praise the Lamb.

We praise and exalt the Lamb's cross. We think we've done our part and feel satisfied with this. But Jesus tells His disciples: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34). We must go beyond praising the cross to taking up our own cross and following Him.

I'm reminded of the words of Teacher Ham Seok-heon: "Rather than the cross I look up to in admiration, I choose to stand with the cross I myself must bear" (Evening's True Person, p.244).

**♧ Good and righteous God, we praise Jesus who died as atonement for all peoples. Thank You. Help us to take up our own cross and follow as we gaze upon His cross. Holy Spirit, make us strong and bold. Amen.**