“We are the champions!” Music often accompanies great victories in sports. Dan Fogelberg’s song, “Run for the Roses,” serenades the winner of the Kentucky Derby. The NCAA men’s basketball tournament has its own theme song, called “One Shining Moment,” for the victors. I stood with one of my sons in Indianapolis, Indiana a few years ago as confetti fell from the ceiling. Our players had won the national championship in Basketball. We savored the song and the moment.
They sing victory songs in heaven, too. How do we know? Revelation is filled with songs sung by God’s people (4:8, 11; 5:9-10, 12-13). In this song, the victors who have overcome the beast play on their harps and sing not about their own achievements but about the greatness of God. Music should do more than evoke our feelings. Great songs teach us something. As we sing the words, we learn about God. Our Lord, God Almighty does great and marvelous deeds. His ways are just and true. He is the King of the nations evoking fear and glory. God alone is holy.
What songs will we sing in heaven? Don Piper, who had a “heavenly vision,” after a car accident says they sing the old hymns in heaven. But how will this work for people of every tribe, tongue, and nation? Perhaps we will possess full understanding of all languages so we will comprehend each other completely.
The saints song here gives us a glimpse of heavenly worship because it focuses squarely on God. Our best worship here and in eternity will be theocentric, not anthropocentric. In heaven, we will know for certain that life is not about us but about God. We win in the end because of him. We should sing! He is the champion!
