In reading Revelation 5:11-14, we find all of creation focusing on being thankful for the worthiness and existence of the One who is able to open the scroll. The Lamb that was slaughtered, Jesus Christ.
Looking at verses 11 and 12, we find a description of those who are gathered. “..many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.” That’s a lot of voices.
And yet, in both verses 11 AND 12, the word for voices is not used. In situations where crowds are gathered, we generally see the word “phonai” or “phonais”, referring to the many voices. Even in Luke 23:23, where the crowds are gathered and there were “shouts that he be crucified”. They were all shouting with the similar intent, but there were still many voices.
Yet in these verses of Revelation, we find the words “phonen” and “phone” (phone-ay). One voice. Millions upon millions of angels all singing in ONE voice. And the word used to describe that voice? “MEGALE”
This word, which comes from “mega”, is used all throughout the New Testament. But the book of the Bible it’s found in the most? Revelation. It’s used 75 times, in fact. The closest runner up? Acts (possibly Matthew) with 29 times each. This vision that John describes is so mind-blowingly grand, excellent, large, and full of majesty.
And yet, millions upon millions of angels sing their praises in ONE GREAT VOICE. Not simply shouting similar things. Not just singing “together”, or “at the same time”. May we live the song of our life in similar fashion…
May we join that voice and sing,
“May we live the song of our life in a similar fashion…” ~ I like that.
Things are so exciting when I let myself recognize that I am a part of something incredibly larger than myself. One voice. Geesh, cool thought this morning Pastor Wick.