2. “ Worthy is the Lamb . . . to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, blessing” --5:12. The number of these attributes is seven. It represents the complete essence of divinity. The seven attributes are distinct, no overlapping, no synonymous repetition, every word a definition of its own, a jewel in his crown of divine splendor. Power: It is that attribute of supreme and absolute and underived authority (Romans 1:20; 1 Timothy 6:16 --the inherent right to do what is his will, and to hinder what is not his will. (Matthew 6:13) It is all power (Matthew 28:18); in earth over men (John 17:2; Psalms 110:1-7); over the devil (Hebrews 2:14); in heaven over angels (Colossians 1:16; 1 Peter 3:22); to him, the head of all principalities and power, the angelic chorus ascribed all praise. Riches: The abounding unlimited sources to bestow and endow all things pecuniary and spiritual. (Psalms 24:1; Romans 12:33) Wisdom: The attribute and the title of him from whom it emanates (Proverbs 3:19; Proverbs 8:22-23). Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God personified from everlasting before all worlds, to be the Word through whom the Father resolved all of his purposes, to create, to govern, to uphold, to judge, to save-all wisdom is ascribed to him (Colossians 2:3)--"Where shall wisdom be found"?--Job exclaimed: Referring to the sublime and eminent wisdom, existing only in the counsels of God far beyond man’ s reach. The excellence of knowledge and prudence are combined and centered in him who is from everlasting the wisdom of God. The eighth chapter of Proverbs is a large and profound’ discourse on the divine wisdom personified in Him. Strength: The strength of anything is its substance, and in beings it is their character. The strength here mentioned is an integral attribute belonging to God, an essential divine emanation; the prerogative to rule over all things; and is joined to omnipotence and majesty. (Psalms 93:1) The Lamb of the apocalypse was worthy to receive all the adoration in these attributes. Honour: The word is not employed here in the sense of outward respect or deference, but denotes the integrity of a Being who deserves adoration, a divine Being, clothed with honor as a part of his Being; it is an attribute, not a term of praise. In its original sense honor is derived from honesty; it denotes what is a superlative moral attribute. Glory: In this word is the effulgence or brightness of God, called in Hebrews 1:3, the brightness of his glory. It is absolute perfection in holiness, in contrast with men who come short of it (Romans 3:23). God is the King of Glory (Psalms 24:80, and Christ is the “ express image of his person,” “ being the brightness of his glory” --the divine effulgence. As God is called “ King of glory” (Psalms 24:80), Christ is called “ Lord of glory” (James 2:1) , and the “ hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Moses pleaded to see the glory of God (Exodus 33:8) in manifestation; the heavens declare it (Psalms 19:1); Christ is His glory (Hebrews 1:3); and has the glory of God (John 17:5); and glory is ascribed to him in all the benedictions in the apostolic epistles (Romans 16:27; 1 Timothy 1:17; Philippians 4:20); and in the climax of them all the angelic anthem in chorus and song ascribe to Him all honour and glory. Blessing: This is a word of frequent occurrence, the meaning of which must be determined by the connection. Men bless God in ascribing praise; God blesses men in temporal and spiritual mercies bestowed. The evident meaning here in the doxology of the angels, is praise, adoration, thanksgiving, blessing, that he alone, the Lamb in the midst of the throne, was able to open the book, and reveal its seals. In this sense Israel blessed God (Joshua 22:23); so did Nehemiah, Ezra and Job (Nehemiah 8:6; Job 1:21); in the same circumstances Daniel blessed the God of heaven (Daniel 2:19); and Simeon blessed God for Jesus (Luke 2:28); and Paul proclaimed the Creator blessed forever (Romans 1:25) and the Christ is God blessed forever (Romans 9:5)--“ Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, who only hath immortality, dwelling in light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” All of this was the mingled praise of “ the voice of many angels.”