There was a multitude of people on the side of the Red Sea, happy, smiling, and rejoicing. A little earlier they had been in cruel bondage, hated and exploited. The Egyptian army had been coming closer to them. But now they were free, safe, and happy, and singing a song—a new song—a song that was of their experience and of great victory, and salvation. The Egyptian army had been destroyed to the last man. God had helped them mightily.
This song is similar to our new song that we will be singing—the song of our experience and our victory, with God’s help.
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.” Revelation 14:1–3
“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over his number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.” Revelation 15:2–3
We must learn this song here on earth; there are many verses to this song. If there is one verse that we do not learn, we can never go to heaven to sing this new song.
How many verses have you already learned? Every day we are learning more verses. We learn the first verse when we leave the world and sin behind. The world will not give us up easily, so we need mighty help from God as did Ancient Israel.
When all seems hopeless and lost, a way of escape will open, and we can sing with David: “Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:6–8
It was the mighty power of God that broke the snare, and we stand on the shore. We are free, and singing the song of victory.
Another verse in our song that we learn is to walk the second mile. The first mile fulfills the law, the second mile is from love. Jesus walked the second mile. The law does not say that the innocent must die for the guilty. No, it was the love of Jesus toward guilty sinners that made Him decide to give up His life for us.
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” Matthew 5:38–41
Jesus also said: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44
Have you learned this verse? You may know the words, but do you know the melody? Can you sing it? Can you love the worst, most sinful person in the world so much that you would give your life for him? Jesus did it. Without this verse your song is not complete.
Another verse that is difficult for many to learn is: “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24
This is a verse of self-denial. To deny ourselves something that we love very much, that we want to enjoy, is the hardest battle that we are asked to fight. To deny ourselves food and drinks that we are craving is not easy, but we must say a firm “no” to the temptation. Adam and Eve lost this battle at the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil.
Paul writes, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14
Besides this we must carry our cross, which is not easy. Our choir leader, Jesus, is teaching us the verses of this new song. By His own life He gave us an example, which we must learn.
The melody of our new song has also notes in the minor key. There are times when we pass through utter soul anguish, sorrow, heartache, and disappointments, when we see only darkness around us. Then our faith is tested to the utmost, and we may almost burn, but this all has a purpose.
Put a grain of sand inside an oyster shell; it irritates and rubs against the sensitive skin of the oyster, but the result is a beautiful pearl. Put a thorn in the flesh of Paul, and a faithful Apostle is created. There may be something painful in your life that creates a beautiful character fit for heaven.
Jesus, “Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered.” Hebrews 5:8. Isaiah writes of Him, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:3. Does this verse in our new song appeal to you? Do you see beauty in it? Are you willing to learn this verse of our song?
Another verse in our song we find in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” I must become smaller, I must be more unnoticed, I must be put aside. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3
Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” Matthew 11:2. “But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6. Meekness and humility are one of the most beautiful verses in our song.
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:3–4.
Many educated and talented persons have difficulty learning this verse, because they are too proud of themselves.
Another beautiful verse in our song we find in Luke 23:34, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:12, 14–15
If someone has offended and hurt us, to forgive him means to love him, and to forget all what he has done. What would our world look like if this attribute would be practiced? It is the spirit of revenge that creates misery and unhappiness. A spirit of forgiveness creates a happy fellowship in our church. Our families also can be as heaven on earth.
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1. When all our sins are forgiven, then only can we be truly happy, and enjoy our Christian walk. It is then that we have learned a new verse in our song.
In our new song there are verses of unselfish love, that no worldly love song can equal. There are verses of patience, when there seems to be no end to our trials and sorrows. There are verses of praise and adoration to the Lamb of God, our Lord, Jesus Christ. This is the main theme of our song, that through Christ we overcame, by His might and power we gained the victory. But, there is not even one verse of defeat or failure, not one line expresses turning back.
The 144,000 who sing this new song have had similar experiences in life, similar trials and sorrows; therefore, they all together can sing this new song, in a mighty chorus. We will be invited over and over to sing this song again and again. May the Lord help all of us to daily learn the verses of this song.
Timo Martin