(11) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; (12) Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (13) And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. (14) And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth forever and ever.
Here we have another goodly company, but different from the former, ascribing a seven-fold praise to the Lamb. These are described as angels round the throne; yea, John saith, every creature that was in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, all joining together in ascribing glory and praise to the Lamb. In order for the right apprehension of this hymn of adoration, let it be considered, that the elect angels, who, though not redeemed by Christ, and have no union with Christ, yet, being created by Christ, and kept and confirmed in their state of holiness by Christ, worship, and adore, and obey Him. Their multitude it here described, to intimate what a glorious body they are And all the creatures of God are said to praise Christ, yea, the very enemies of Christ shall bow their knee before Him, and be made to acknowledge his greatness and his glory. The Oath of the Lord hath said it, yea, the Lord hath sworn it. I have sworn by myself, (the Lord saith), the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear, Isaiah 45:23. These things explain to us the nature of this last hymn, so differently worded from the former. I do not think it necessary to swell these pages, by enlarging on the several particulars here expressed. The harps, and golden vials, are perhaps an Allusion to the Temple service, under the old Jewish dispensation. But the musical instruments of the New Testament Church on earth, and of the New Jerusalem Church in heaven, can mean nothing more than the new-strung chords of the renewed spirit in Christ Jesus. To these, the whole Church of God, both in heaven and earth, will give their hearty Amen. Yea, as one of the sweet names of Christ, and as an ordinance in holy worship, all, And every regenerated child of God will bless himself in Christ, the Amen, see Isa 65:23; 1 Corinthians 14:16
OH! thou glorious Lord of the tribe of Judah, precious Jesus, thou art He whom thy brethren shalt praise, for thou wert alone worthy to take the book, and to loose the seals thereof. Truly, Almighty Lord, but for thy undertaking the Church must have wept forever! But, praised be God our Father, thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood. And praised be God the Spirit for giving thy Church this precious record, and handing it down to us with such gracious explainings. All heaven was filled with odours to our Jesus's praise. And all earth shall offer their praises to the Lamb! Lord, amidst the ten thousand times ten thousands, and thousands of thousands, let not my poor soul be silent, who oweth all its mercies to God and the Lamb! Feeble, and poor, and unworthy as it is, still, Lord, hear me when I say, Thou art worthy to receive all praise, for thou vast slain, and hast redeemed me to God by thy blood.