ACC ~ Revelation 5 v9 - 10

THE CHRISTIAN CONFESSION OF FAITH. VICTORINUS OF PETOVIUM: “The twenty-four elders and the four animals had harps and bowls and were singing a new song.” The preaching of the Old Testament joined with the New reveals the Christian people singing a new song, that is, the proclaiming of their public confession. It is new that the Son of God became man; it is new that he was given over into death by men; it is new that he rose again on the third day; it is new that he ascended in the body into heaven; it is new that he gives the forgiveness of sins to men; it is new that men are sealed with the Holy Spirit; it is new that they receive the priestly service of supplication and await a kingdom of such immense promises. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5.3.

CHRIST HAS GIVEN TO THE CHURCH THE NEW SONG. PRIMASIUS: Christ wrote a new song by the harmonious truth of both Testaments. This he did when he, remaining the Word which was in the beginning, was born by a new sort of birth through the Virgin. This he did when he as God put on man in a new manner. This he did when he gave himself over to his killers by his own power. This he did when he was wondrously made alive from the dead and when at a time of his own choosing was ascended beyond the heavens. And this new song he bestowed upon all those who belong to the church which he acquired, that it might be sung continually, and that in this [the church] might rest secure as it awaits in hope the coming judge, that “we might walk in the newness of life.” As he said, “If any one wishes to be my disciple, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5.9.

WE HAVE BEEN MADE KINGS AND PRIESTS. OECUMENIUS: “And they sang a new song.” It was new because it was sung to that God who had become flesh, for this song had formerly never been offered, until the incarnation. And what was the song? “You are worthy,” it says, you who were slain for us and who by your blood did acquire an inheritance from the many nations under heaven, to grant this salvation to humanity. And with very good reason he said “from tribe and tongue and people and nation.” For while he did not gain all nations—for many have died in unbelief—yet he acquired from every nation those worthy of salvation. And the prophet said something similar: “Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you will inherit [some] from among all the nations,” not to be sure, “all the nations.” And he made “them kings and priests for our God, and they will reign upon earth.” In addition to the faithful servants of Christ who are kings and leaders of the churches, perhaps you will also be able to understand the “kings” in this passage as those who have ruled their passions and have not been ruled by them, and the “priests” as those who have offered their own bodies as “living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God,” as the Scripture says. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:8-12.

WE SING THROUGH THE SPIRIT. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: Through this passage it is revealed that the elders, both those in the Old Testament and those in the New Testament, were well-pleasing to God, and that on behalf of the whole world they bring forth a [hymn of] thanksgiving to the Lamb of God who was slain and redeemed us. It is a “new song,” which we have been taught to sing, who from every tribe and tongue have been freed from the antiquity of the letter and through the Spirit have received light. He says that these will rule the new earth, which the Lord promised to the humble. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5.9-10.

Rev