Revelation 5:9-10
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Now the song starts.
It is a new song because heaven is singing about a finished redemption. This is not creation’s song. This is not Israel standing on the edge of promise. This is not a cry for help still waiting on an answer. This is the song of people who know the price has been paid.
They sing, “Thou art worthy.”
Why is He worthy?
Because He was slain.
That is heaven’s explanation. Not merely that He is powerful. Not merely that He is eternal. Not merely that He is majestic. He is worthy because He gave Himself. The wounds of Christ are the eternal proof of His worthiness to take the scroll and open its seals.
Then the song becomes even more specific. “Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”
That matters.
Only one group can sing that exact lyric.
Angels cannot sing it, because angels were never redeemed by blood.
Israel as a nation cannot sing it in that exact way, because this song speaks of a people gathered out of every tribe, language, people, and nation.
This is the church.
This is the redeemed bride of Christ, gathered in heaven, singing before the seals are opened in chapter 6. That is one more reason I believe the church is already there before the Tribulation begins to unfold on the earth. The redeemed are in heaven singing about redemption before judgment starts breaking loose below.
That is not a small detail.
It means the church is not waiting to see whether Christ will finally make good on His promise. The church is already safely gathered around Him, already singing, already worshiping, already celebrating the blood that purchased her.
And what a blood bought people we are.
Every kindred.
Every tongue.
Every people.
Every nation.
That is the reach of redemption. The Gospel is not provincial. It is not tribal. It is not limited to one corner of the world. Jesus did not die for one narrow slice of humanity. His blood reaches across every border man has built. Heaven is going to be filled with redeemed people from everywhere, and every one of them will owe their place there to the same blood.
That levels us all.
No one will stand there because of pedigree.
No one will stand there because of education.
No one will stand there because of denomination, achievement, or morality.
We will all be there for one reason only.
The blood of Jesus Christ redeemed us to God.
Then the song says He has made us kings and priests unto our God.
That is remarkable. He did not merely rescue us from judgment. He raised us into dignity. He brought us near. Priests speak of access, worship, nearness to God. Kings speak of authority, inheritance, and reigning with Him. Redemption does not barely get us through the door of heaven. Redemption brings us into relationship, privilege, and future rule under Christ.
“And we shall reign on the earth.”
That tells us where the story is going. God is not finished with the earth. The One who redeemed us is also going to reign, and His redeemed people will reign with Him. The world that has been soaked with rebellion, bloodshed, confusion, and sorrow will not remain forever in the hands of darkness. Jesus is taking back what sin ruined, and His people will share in His kingdom.
That is why this song is new.
It is not the song of wishful thinking.
It is the song of certainty.
He was slain.
He has redeemed us.
He has made us kings and priests.
We shall reign.
Beloved, that means your future is not hanging by a thread. It is anchored in a Lamb who was slain and who now stands in the center of heaven’s throne. The church is not headed toward wrath, but toward worship. Not toward abandonment, but toward reigning with Christ. Not toward uncertainty, but toward a kingdom already secured by blood.
No wonder heaven sings.