A Victory Song

Revelation 15:1-4

(Song of Moses and the Lamb)

Then I saw in heaven another significant event, and it was great and marvelous. Seven angels were holding the seven last plagues, which would bring God’s wrath to completion. 2I saw before me what seemed to be a crystal sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them. 3And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are your actions,

Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are your ways,

O King of the nations.

4Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come and worship before you,

for your righteous deeds have been revealed.”

Psalm Link

Psalm 98:2-3

2The LORD has announced his victory

and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!

3He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.

The whole earth has seen the salvation of our God.

In North Africa in the dawn of the third century, some Christian women were put on trial for their faith. The officials tried to convince them to offer a sacrifice to the emperor and save their lives, but the women refused. After they were martyred, a contemporary wrote of the women: “The day of their victory dawned, and they walked from prison to the amphitheater as if they were walking to heaven, happy and serene in countenance.”

People like that are singing in heaven, according to Revelation 15. They have won a victory over the enemies of Christ. How? By staying true to him despite enormous pressures. They are singing “the song of Moses . . . and of the Lamb,” made up almost entirely of verses from the Psalms. The first song of Moses was composed when the Israelites emerged victorious from certain death in the Red Sea. And the Lamb of God, slain for us, arose victorious from death. So this song in Revelation 15 is the martyrs’ victory song.

There are Christians in the world today who risk death to worship Christ, while many of us enjoy religious freedom. Have you been afraid this past year to let your allegiance to Christ be known? Are you swayed by the other gods of our age? Are you trying to practice dual citizenship, in this world and God’s Kingdom?

The Lamb promises you ultimate victory if you take a stand for him. In the long run, you have nothing to lose.

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng;

Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song;

Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King;

This through countless ages, men and angels sing.

SABINE BARING-GOULD

Bible Networking

Notice all the similarities to the Psalms in this short song. See Psalms 92:5; 145:17; 86:9; 111:9; and 98:2.