Revelation 5:14 - The Lamb Exalted

Audio Bible

Context

The Lamb Exalted
…13And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in 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 forever and ever!” 14And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Cross References

Philippians 2:10-11
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Daniel 7:10
A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.Isaiah 6:3
And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”Psalm 103:20-21
Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength who carry out His word, who hearken to the voice of His command. / Bless the LORD, all His hosts, you servants who do His will.Hebrews 1:6
And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”Ezekiel 1:28
The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.Psalm 148:2
Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts.1 Chronicles 29:20
Then David said to the whole assembly, “Bless the LORD your God.” So the whole assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers. They bowed down and paid homage to the LORD and to the king.Romans 14:11
It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.”Isaiah 45:23
By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.Psalm 72:19
And blessed be His glorious name forever; may all the earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen.Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Hallelujah!Luke 2:13-14
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: / “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”1 Timothy 1:17
Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 19:4
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

And the four and.

Revelation 4:9-11
And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, …

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Revelation 5

And the four living creatures said, “Amen,”
The four living creatures are symbolic beings that represent all of creation, often understood as cherubim or seraphim, reflecting the fullness of God's creation. Their declaration of "Amen" signifies agreement and affirmation of the worthiness of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, to open the scroll. This echoes the use of "Amen" throughout Scripture as a term of affirmation and truth, seen in passages like Isaiah 65:16 and 2 Corinthians 1:20. The creatures' role in heavenly worship highlights the universal acknowledgment of Christ's authority and divinity.

and the elders fell down and worshiped.
The elders, often interpreted as representing the redeemed people of God, possibly the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles, demonstrate submission and reverence by falling down in worship. This act of worship is a common biblical expression of humility and adoration, seen in other instances such as Matthew 2:11 and Philippians 2:10. Their worship underscores the central theme of Revelation: the sovereignty and majesty of God and the Lamb. This scene connects to the broader biblical narrative of worship, where God's people respond to His revelation with awe and reverence, as seen in Exodus 34:8 and Psalm 95:6.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Four Living Creatures
These are symbolic beings that represent all of creation, often understood as cherubim or seraphim, who are constantly in the presence of God, worshiping Him and declaring His holiness.

2. Elders
The twenty-four elders are often interpreted as representing the redeemed people of God, possibly symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles, thus encompassing the Old and New Testament believers.

3. Worship
This event is a scene of heavenly worship, where all of creation acknowledges the sovereignty and worthiness of God and the Lamb.

Teaching Points

The Universality of Worship
Worship is not limited to a specific group but is a universal response to God's majesty and authority. All of creation is called to worship.

The Role of 'Amen'
The word "Amen" signifies agreement and truth. It is a powerful affirmation of God's sovereignty and the truth of His word.

Humility in Worship
The elders falling down signifies humility and reverence. True worship involves a posture of submission and acknowledgment of God's greatness.

The Continuity of Worship
Worship is an eternal activity, not confined to time or space. It is a continuous response to God's eternal nature.

The Centrality of Christ in Worship
The focus of worship in heaven is on the Lamb, Jesus Christ, highlighting His central role in redemption and His worthiness to receive honor and glory.

(14) And the four beasts . . .--Better, And the four living beings said, Amen (or, the Amen). And the elders (omit "four and twenty") fell down and worshipped. The remaining words of this verse are wanting in some of the best MSS., and they spoil thegraphic force of the description. The "Amen" rises from universal nature; the Church of Christ falls down in silent adoration. Thought and feeling assert themselves above all language. There are times when silence is the most eloquent applause; there are times when it is also the most real worship. "Let thy prayers be without words, rather than thy words, without prayer" was a wise precept of an old divine. An English and an Italian poet have given expression to the same feeling of the weakness of words. "O speech !" sang Dante, when telling his final vision--

"How feeble and how faint art thou to give

Conception birth."

--Parad. xxxiii.

Thomson takes refuge in silence from the overwhelming thoughts of the divine glory:--

"I lose

Myself in Him, in light ineffable.

Come, then, expressive silence, muse His praise."

Here the inspired seer describes the chorus of praise as dying into a silence born of awe and gratefulness and love.

Verse 14. - And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth forever and ever. (On the signification of the four beasts as representative of creation, and the four-and-twenty elders as typical of the Church, see on Revelation 4:4 and 6.) Three stages are marked in the hymn of adoration before this concluding verse:

(1) the four living beings and the four and twenty elders worship the Lamb, and commemorate their redemption by him; they are able to sing "a new song" - the song of the redeemed;

(2) the angels join in the worship of the Lamb, ascribing to him the consummation of all perfection;

(3) then all created things praise God and the Lamb. In conclusion, the representatives of redeemed creation once more join in the eucharistic hymn, and prostrate themselves in worship before the Triune God. This forms the end of one act of the heavenly drama. The opening of the seals now follows, and a description of the attendant circumstances is given. . . . Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

four
τέσσαρα (tessara)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5064: Four. Or neuter tessara a plural number; four.

living creatures
ζῷα (zōa)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2226: An animal, living creature. Neuter of a derivative of zao; a live thing, i.e. An animal.

said,
ἔλεγον (elegon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Amen,”
Ἀμήν (Amēn)
Hebrew Word
Strong's 281: Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

elders
πρεσβύτεροι (presbyteroi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4245: Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian 'presbyter'.

fell down
ἔπεσαν (epesan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4098: A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

worshiped.
προσεκύνησαν (prosekynēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4352: From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.

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Revelation 5:14 Catholic BibleNT Prophecy: Revelation 5:14 The four living creatures said Amen! (Rev. Re Apocalypse)