Rev.14:3 – They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.

There is an interesting phrase in this passage that recently grabbed my attention. John said that only the redeemed could “learn” this new song, I had never noticed that John had said we were to “learn” this new song. As I pondered John’s words I wondered how could we learn this song and who would teach this song? That’s when I stumbled upon this quote from Jonathan Edwards in his Thanksgiving sermon in 1740. He said that only Jesus Himself could teach us this song. He went on to say that the subject of the song was redemption and the melody of the song was the harmony and unity of the Holy Spirit. Here is a quote from his sermon on learning this new song.

“In order to learn the new song, you must hear the melody of the voice of Christ in the gospel. You have heard that the glorious gospel is that out of which this song is to be learned, and that ’tis Christ that must teach it. And this is the way that he teaches it: by causing the soul to hear the melody of his own voice in the gospel.

’Tis Christ that speaks to us in the gospel. Many hear his words, but they perceive no sweetness in them. They perceive no pleasantness in his voice, in the doctrines and invitations and promises of the gospel. ’Tis all an insipid thing and dead letter to them. But to the godly, Christ’s mouth is found to be most sweet. You must perceive the sweetness of the voice. You must see the glory of those doctrines, and the sweetness of those invitations, and the exceeding preciousness of those promises.

This must teach you those things that must be the subject of your song. And this must draw your heart, and put it into tune, and fill it with love and joy, which is the excellent harmony and heavenly melody of the soul.”

This passage is quite devastating (in a good way) if you pay close attention. He said it starts with hearing the melody of the voice of Christ. The melody carries the rhythm and harmony of the kingdom of God. Along with the melody are the precious words of the Lord, the gospel that changes our world. In His words are the words of eternal life. The lost cannot hear the sweet voice of the Savior. Their ears are closed and their hearts are hard. It’s the hearing of His voice that causes this song of the redeemed to enter our souls. Listen carefully for His voice, He may be calling you in to His new song.