by Aidan Lytle
Eschatology is hotly debated in many Christian groups. For generations, scholars have presented various interpretations of the book of Revelation and other books of the Bible related to the subject. Unfortunately, preachers and teachers sometimes get tangled in the passionate weeds of the debate surrounding premillennialism verses postmillennialism versus amillennialism and do not give the same emphasis to the deep hope that eschatology can bring the believer. Of course, the debate about the millennium is important; however, an overemphasis of the debate’s significance has led other people to disregard the heart of eschatology: the confident, beautiful hope that Jesus will return.
Contemporary Christian music is another realm that has largely failed to provide an appropriate response to the events that unfold in Revelation. In the confusion of millennial arguments, artists have resolved to avoid discussing the topic altogether. They often write with broad blanket statements that shallowly discuss topics like heaven or Jesus’ return, and rarely do these artists succeed at interacting with eschatology in a manner of genuine depth.
Andrew Peterson shatters the stereotypes surrounding Christian music and Christian preaching. Throughout his discography, Peterson has stayed faithful to the Scriptures and interacted with them meaningfully. He writes music in a way that speaks to the souls of those who listen, all while maintaining a deep reverence for the material of the Scriptures. “Is He Worthy?” is a perfect example of this engagement with the Word.
Adapted from the words of John in Revelation 5, the song confidently engages eschatological matters. This essay will explore the lyrics of Andrew Peterson’s “Is He Worthy?” It will then provide an exegetical examination of Revelation 5. Finally, it will argue that “Is He Worthy?” is a good example of engagement with eschatology that is faithful and meaningful within the context of worship.
The Lyrics of “Is He Worthy?”
Peterson has been a gifted song writer throughout his career. A large portion of his songs are direct passages of Scripture set to music, and “Is He Worthy?” is no exception. The chorus is directly inspired by the book of Revelation, while the verses are Peterson’s addition.
Accompanied by a quiet piano, he opens the song calling out, “Do you feel the world is broken?” and receives a quiet sorrowful response from the choir, “We do.” He continues with examples such as, “Do you feel the shadows deepen?” and “Is all Creation groaning?” In every instance, the choir answers Peterson’s questions with the same mournful refrain.[1] These questions are deeply dark, beautifully written, and solemnly sung.
The questions do not end in despair, though. Peterson gently leads listeners to the truth that John scribed in Revelation 5. The culmination of the questions Peterson asks are resolved in his hope-filled chorus:
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave,
He is David’s Root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave.
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is![2]
The listener is immediately filled with deep hope. The longing within the soul of every believer will one day be filled, all because Christ is worthy.
This future that Peterson sings about is not in question. It does not ride the uneasy waters of one’s view of the millennium. Premillennialists, amillennialists, and postmillennialists alike can take heart in these words: Christ is worthy!
N. T. Wright echoes this more holistic definition of eschatology when he writes, “So when I and many others use the word eschatology, we don’t simply mean the second coming. . . . [W]e mean, rather, the entire sense of God’s future for the world and the belief that that future has already begun to come forward to meet us in the present.”[3] Peterson’s heart of worship is evident in this understanding of eschatology.
“Is He Worthy” in Context of Revelation 5
The chorus to “Is He Worthy?” is taken from Revelation 5 with only slight changes to serve the rhyme scheme and song mechanics. Revelation 5 describes John’s vision of a scroll that is kept shut by seven seals. Angels surround the scene questioning who is worthy to open this scroll and reveal its contents. John then sees the perfect Lamb, Who approaches the throne and opens the scroll. After the Lamb opens the scroll, the angels sing a new song, declaring the worthiness of the Lamb.
Gwyn Pughprovides helpful analysis of this scene from Revelation. Discussing the scroll, he writes, “It is beyond the ability of anyone or anything to take the book from Him, reveal its contents, execute its contents, or thwart the fulfillment of God’s design for future history. As the seals are broken, God will reveal His plan for the future.”[4] Commenting on the rest of the passage, Pugh continues, “The challenge of the search is to find someone worthy to open the scroll: to loose or break its seven seals.”[5] The deep desire and longing to be reunited with God for eternity is written on the hearts of all humanity. Though this passage has images and events that seem confusing at first glance, a deeper study shows the eternal importance the passage conveys: no human is worthy.
Describing the quality of worthiness, Pugh says, “The text separates its own prerequisites of worthiness into two parts: moral worthiness, without which no one could even approach God, and ability to open or look on the seals—and thus to execute or put them into motion. . . . [T]he suggestion is that infinite power is necessary.”[6] Several requirements of the theme of worthiness echo throughout Revelation: approaching the right hand of God, which requires absolute holiness, and fulfilling the Messianic prophesies from both the Old and New Testaments.[7] Indeed, Christ is the perfect Lamb of God who fulfills these requirements. He is the one worthy to open the scroll.
An astonishing aspect of this passage, an aspect that Peterson’s song captures, is that Christ is the central theme. The questions asked by the angels beautifully illustrate Christ’s uniqueness in fulfilling this role. What many discussions about eschatology seem to miss is that Christ is at the center. Whether He will reign for a literal thousand years or is reigning for a figurative thousand years, the central point is that He is the only one worthy of opening the scroll and unfolding the events of God’s future plans.
Eschatology as the Hopeful Heart of Worship
One of the most important aspects in the study of eschatology is the application of these teachings. The Christian understanding of hope is one that deeply influences worship. Christian hope is not merely wishful thinking; rather, it is a profound peace in the understanding that Jesus’ promises are true and will come to pass. When the Christian sings of Christ’s coming reign, he does not sing with wavering confidence. He sings with hopeful anticipation.
Robert E. Picirilli, in his book Mere Eschatology, consistently stresses the theme of assurance in Christ’s return. He says, “Jesus is coming back to earth to reign. Whether we think of this reign as being on earth—for a thousand years?—or as more cosmic and eternal than that, one thing seems sure. The Scriptures teach that He is destined to rule and they associate His return with that destiny.”[8] This statement from Picirilli further demonstrates one of the primary themes of this article: when studying eschatology, Christians should avoid spending the majority of their time debating lower tier doctrinal topics, and they should find hope in the fact that Christ is worthy; that hope must necessarily affect worship.
These events found in Revelation 5 are “an act of real worship.”[9]Anytime the Scriptures provide a clear example of worship, it is in the best interest of Christians to follow that example. When Revelation 5 says, “I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain’” (Revelation 5:11–12a, NASB). The Christian ought to long for that future when he will one day rejoice with the angels. Christ’s triumph is one shared with all believers, and it is one that will be echoed through all eternity.
“Is He Worthy?” excellently exemplifies great form and great content. The lyrics, rooted directly in Scripture, are filled with themes of rejoicing in Christ. The form is an invitation. In the verses, Peterson asks questions to the listener, and in the chorus, he answers them. For all these reasons, “Is He Worthy?” is perhaps the greatest example of a modern Christian worship song that confronts eschatological themes.
About the Author: Aidan Lytle works at D6 Family Ministry in Nashville, Tennessee. He has a BA in English from Welch College and is a regular contributor for Rambling Ever On. He lives in Hermitage, Tennessee with his wife, Sarah. Aidan attends Sylvan Park Free Will Baptist Church in Nashville, where he teaches a children’s class on Wednesday nights. He enjoys oil painting, watching movies, and being outdoors.
[1] Andrew Peterson, “Is He Worthy?” Resurrection Letters Vol 1 (Nashville, TN: Centricity Music, 2018).
[2] Peterson, “Is He Worthy?”
[3] N. T. Wright, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church (New York: HarperOne, 2018), 122.
[4] Thomas Marberry, Gwyn Pugh, and Craig Shaw, 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation, Randall House Bible Commentary (Nashville: Randall House, 2010), 215.
[5] Marberry, Pugh, and Craig, 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation, 217.
[6] Marberry, Pugh, and Craig, 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation, 217.
[7] Marberry, Pugh, and Craig, 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation, 218.
[8] Robert E. Picirilli, Mere Eschatology (Nashville: D6 Family Ministry, 2024), 59.
[9] Justin Smith, An American Commentary on the New Testament: Epistles of John to Revelation, ed. Alvah Hovey (American Baptist Publication Society, 1888), 88.
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