“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” These words in Revelation 7 restate a recurring theme in the Bible. The theme goes back to Abraham. God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his only son on an altar. When God saw that Abraham was willing, he told him to stop. Suddenly a ram appeared in the thicket as a substitute. But this willingness became a picture of faith and of God’s ultimate plan to offer His only Son as a sacrifice on the cross.
Later Moses, told the people to take the blood of a lamb and put it on the doorposts of their homes to avert the death angel, who would pass- over when he saw that they were covered by the blood of a lamb. Ultimately, Jesus became the Lamb of sacrifice.
So these images in the Old Testament prepared the people of God for the arrival of their Lamb, Jesus. However, they did not recognize him and turned against him. All this was part of God’s plan to save not only the Jews, but the world.
Ultimately, our friend Paul Wilbur wrote these three images into a song called “Salvation Belongs to Our God”, based on Revelation 7, but covering the whole story of redemption. The blood of Jesus saves us from our sin, and also from the decaying world around us. Today, we see every standard of good, and every law being challenged by lawless, rebellious people. Their rebellion will not lead them anywhere but to destruction. But we Christ followers can be saved from the world system around us. We can shine as lights in the darkness because of the light of Christ within us. May we celebrate this great salvation that takes us on to eternal life. We will also be saved from God’s judgment that is coming on a sinful world. For these things we praise him. Here are the lyrics to a great song:
Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne forever and ever
And to the Lamb that was slain, be glory and power, forever and ever amen!
Isaac and Abraham, an altar without a lamb
A covenant made, a hand raised in faith, that God himself would provide
Slaves in a foreign land, a shepherd, a staff in hand
Freedom from chains, a lamb’s blood, a stain that God himself would provide.
Chorus
A hill in Jerusalem, thieves and the Son of Man
A debt to be paid, Yeshua, the way, that God himself would provide.
Redeemed from every nation come
Lift a banner of praise to the returning One!
Lamb of God victorious King, every tribe, every tongue together sing!
Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne forever and ever
And to the Lamb that was slain, be glory and power, forever and ever amen!
-Paul Wilbur, Steve Merkel, Lee Black
Lord, thank you for our great salvation. We see how it was prefigured by Abraham and Isaac, by Moses and the Passover Lamb. Thank you for fulfilling your plan of salvation through Christ. Thank you that we can now be free from our sins through his cleansing blood. Thank you that you are also saving us from a lost generation. Help us to be different by shining our light in the darkness.
People are trying to create hate around us. Deliver us from that temptation and help us to love and have grace for lost people. Help us to point them to Jesus, for God so loved that you sent your Only Son!
Thank you that Jesus is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Yet He has risen and ascended to your right hand. We look forward to someday being before your throne and praising you forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.