I've already written some words about the dissident nature of worship in the book of Revelation and how the nine worship songs that John weaves into the narrative of his vision work to raise their eyes above the empire of Rome and towards the throne of Jesus. We also looked at how it requires that the worshipper turn away from these things and lift up the Christ figure.
But I also believe that there is more to it. These songs are rooted in the heritage of the Jewish people, and John seems to be reframing them for the current generation of Christians living in persecution and oppression under the Roman Empire.
Let's start by finishing chapter 5. Then, I want to point something out that I feel is quite beautiful.
… The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
The New International Version (Re 5:8–14).
Refraiming the Trauma
Pastoring during the pandemic years of 2020 - 2022 wreaked havoc on my mental health, and it wasn’t until I suffered a panic attack that I started to reach out for help. One of the gifts that my therapist has given me is the skill of reframing my thoughts more healthily. She taught me how to think differently about my words, my thoughts, and the context in which I live and work to reflect my hopes and joys instead of my struggles and fears. To my surprise, it worked. My fears and negative thoughts became less fatalistic, and slowly I learned to retrain my brain to have fewer toxic thoughts and I slowly built a habit of loving people first instead of judging them. It all had to do with the mindset I cultivated before the thoughts arose within.
How might this connect with what John is doing?
These worship songs that John has interspersed throughout the narrative of Revelation are not original to John. Most seem to come from places like Daniel 7 (like the passage from Revelation 5 we just read), which has its own context completely separate from their own struggles. But also, they were likely songs that they regularly sang. These were likely familiar to them. Some scholars suspect that they are songs that were a part of the rotation of worship liturgy of the seven churches. It is the equivalent of writing a narrative theological story today and having the characters suddenly burst out with a rendition of Amazing Grace, or It Is Well, songs which have their own context but which also have deep meaning to us today.
John is giving them a gift by reframing their familiar old songs and giving them a new mindset in which to sing them.
Before and After
Imagine the week before they first received John’s letter. Perhaps they sang the songs of Revelation 5, proclaiming, "Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive honor and riches and wisdom and strength, glory and honor and blessing." They know the song's roots, but the context is so different that perhaps it lands flat.
After hearing John's vision of the throne room and feeling John’s sadness at the revelation that none are worthy but the slain Lamb, they suddenly hear their song. It is the same song, but now they hear it in a new light, sung by the elders and apostles, the winged creatures, and everyone in the throne room encircling the slain Lamb.
This song has taken on new meaning for them. The next time they see it, John’s Throneroom enters their mind. They might imagine the entire scene, and then as they sing, they remember John describing:
…the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders (v11)
The song is forever changed for them. John has made this song THEIRS. He has given it to them anew, and from this point forward, when they sing it, they picture themselves joining in with the choirs of heaven and all of creation.
In this way, John has given them a new meditation that engages their senses and places them in the story he has given to them. This allows them to lift their eyes and imaginations out of the state of affairs they have found themselves in.
The Work of Art in Worship
This is one of the gifts of art in Christian worship. It can help us gain a new vision, new images to focus on, and a new way of perceiving whose presence we are entering when we worship. It can remind us that we are not alone as we sing; all those who have gone before have sung these same songs, cried these same tears, and prayed the same prayers. John’s reframing of these songs bridges generations while giving them a fresh meditation while they sing. He reminds them that they never worship alone; they are a link in the chain of generations that come and pass away while proclaiming, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty. Who was, and is, and is to come!” (Rev 4:8) in some of the darkest times in human history.
John's inclusion of the worship songs is a therapeutic gift to the seven churches. We could take notes on how to inspire Christians to worship. Instead of lights and fog, we may benefit from new, creative stories that reframe them and icons to contemplate as we sing.
Sorry that you suffered, Tommy. This is such an important message for anyone struggling with mental health. I too fell victim to negative thinking and anxiety during the pandemic. I find that worshipping is wildly therapeutic and it does lift me up. Thanks be to John and to God.