The Song of the Lamb

Right before the seven last bowl plagues are poured out on the wicked, the people of God are singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb (Revelation 15:1,3,6). The image of a lamb may not seem like it matches the scene of impending doom coming in the form of the seven last plagues. Who’s going to be afraid of an innocent lamb? 

Turns out a lot of people.

15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? 

Revelation 6:15-17

Unlike the song of Moses, the Bible does not give us one specific song of the Lamb, except for the short verses in Revelation 15:3-4. Yet, much is said about the Lamb in the book of Revelation. The most common name used for Jesus in the book of Revelation is ‘the Lamb’. It is used 27 times. 

Here are some of the phrases sung or said to praise the Lamb in Revelation.

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing”. -Revelation 5:12

“Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” – Revelation 5:13

The great multitude from every people group says, “Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” – Revelation 7:10

And then we come to the group of the saved people of God singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb. It’s kind of like the final verse of all these praises to the lamb up until that point. 

3 “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty!

    Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!

4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy.

   For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.”  

Revelation 15:3-4

Why are they singing?

This beautiful song is an acknowledgment that God is fair and his ways are the best. Even in the tragedy of the seven last plagues, God’s righteousness and justice are displayed. The wicked have been warned and have refused the opportunity to repent. They have not chosen the way of life freely offered to them, and now they will reap the consequences of their choices – destruction and death. The quiet lamb, roars like a lion and brings justice for all the harm that has been done to His people. The Lamb, the Lord God Almighty, is worthy of honor and praise and worship. 

This song gives a glimpse into the future when all nations will come and worship before the Lamb that was slain for us, so we might have life. Now that is something worth singing about! Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! 

Either we will be singing praises to the Lamb, even as we witness destruction all around us, or we will be experiencing the horrible, terrible wrath of the Lamb – the separation from God’s love and protection realized by the pouring out of the seven last plagues. I pray that I will be singing. How about you?