Tag: Pondering our Worship

Envision now our Worship Central: The Lion! Worthy is the Name of the Lamb who was slain for us all. Revelation 5

Today followers of Jesus will gather to worship the Savior who was slain.

Some will gather in churches or cathedrals, ­others will meet in homes and huts, and still others will worship from prisons.

Some will ­worship traditionally, and others will do so with a more modern bent.

Many will meet publicly, and some will gather in secret.

But all will worship the Savior who laid down his life for them. 

At the center of Revelation 5 is a surprising, beautiful vision of Jesus.

On the one hand, Jesus is described as a lion.

He’s strong and is able to open the scroll that contains God’s redemptive plan.

He alone is able to carry it out.

On the other hand, he looks like a lamb that was slain.

Humble and gentle, he gave himself, utterly and completely, over to death.

How could Jesus be both a lion and a lamb?

The two images don’t seem to fit.

The answer is that he is the King because he was willing to die.

Jesus has received a crown because he carried the cross.

Only by having died for us is he now able to bring history to a victorious end for God and his people.

This devotional message is summed up in verse 9 -“Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation”

As we gather to worship today, wherever you are, why ever you are, whenever you are, glorify Jesus for the gift of salvation.

Join with fellow Christians and with the angels in heaven in shouting out,

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain!”

Revelation 5Amplified Bible

The Scroll with Seven Seals

5 I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, closed and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel announcing with a loud voice, “Who is worthy [having the authority and virtue] to open the scroll and to [a]break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] was able to open the scroll or look into it. 4 And I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look into it. 5 Then one of the [twenty-four] elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look closely, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome and conquered! He can open the scroll and [break] its seven seals.”

6 And there [b]between the throne (with the four living creatures) and among the elders I saw a Lamb (Christ) standing, [bearing scars and wounds] as though it had been slain, with seven horns (complete power) and with seven eyes (complete knowledge), which are [c]the seven Spirits of God who have been sent [on duty] into all the earth. 7 And He came and [d]took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Christ), each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of fragrant incense, which are the prayers of the saints (God’s people). 9 And they sang a new song [of glorious redemption], saying,

“Worthy and deserving are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 
“You have made them to be a kingdom [of royal subjects] and priests to our God; and they will reign on the earth.”

Angels Exalt the Lamb

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and [the voice] of the living creatures and the elders; and they numbered myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands (innumerable), 12 saying in a loud voice,

“Worthy and deserving is the Lamb that was sacrificed to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

13 And I heard every created thing that is in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] or on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying [together],

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Christ), be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped [Him who lives forever and ever].

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Holy! Holy! Holy!

Are You Lord God, Almighty!

Worthy Is The Lamb!

Worthy Is The Lamb!

You Are Holy!

Agnus Dei – The title Lamb of God (in Latin Agnus Dei) appears in the Gospel of John, with the exclamation of John the Baptist: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29-30)

In our selected text we find two references to Christ as a “Lamb that was slain”

Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Look with me to the text and let’s see a few reasons why the Lamb is worthy:

Revelation 5:1-5Amplified Bible

The Scroll with Seven Seals

5 I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, closed and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel announcing with a loud voice, “Who is worthy [having the authority and virtue] to open the scroll and to [a]break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] was able to open the scroll or look into it. 4 And I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look into it. 5 Then one of the [twenty-four] elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look closely, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome and conquered! He can open the scroll and [break] its seven seals.”

John saw a book

– Literally a scroll that was sealed with seven seals.

This scroll was in the right hand of God.

By this point John must have been overwhelmed at all that he has witnessed in Revelation Chapters 1-4.

But now he encounters a dilemma.

He said – “I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon”

Angels were not worthy!

Even the Archangels were unworthy!

All Heavenly powers stood silent!

The Prophet’s of old were not worthy!

The Lord’s Apostles were not worthy!

Among all of the Saint’s, no one worthy was found!

All of Heaven itself becomes silent and unable at the indescribable task of breaking each of the seven seals of this scroll.

As they searched through Heaven and Earth and found no one worthy, John’s heart began to break, and tears began to flow…

Then, one of the Elders said hang on John! There is ONE WHO IS WORTHY!

The Elder said look John…. “One has prevailed” “One has conquered”

– gained the victory.

Christ’s past victory over all the powers of darkness entitles Him the ability and the power to break the seals of the scroll!

Jesus describes supremacy is seen in: 

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

………Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

II. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Sinlessness verse 5

verse 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

As Jesus faced temptation in Matthew 4:1-11, Satan surely thought Jesus would fall, falling hard. He did not! He faced the temptation and remained sinless!

The elder tells John that “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David hath prevailed…not only did He prevail to open the book, He prevailed over sin!!

“Lion of the tribe of Judah”,

In Genesis 49, the Jews are promised that a great ruler will arise out of Judah. Like a lion, He will be powerful, strong, brave, and a mighty conqueror.

“The Root of David”. This title reflects both the humanity and the deity of the Messiah.

When Jesus arrived, He was not what the Jews had expected and as a result they rejected Him John 1:11 “He came unto His own & His own received Him not”

Instead of delivering the Jews and establishing His Kingdom on Earth, Christ came preaching and performing miracles.

Thus, they rejected Him as

“The Lion of The Tribe of Judah” and “The Root of David”

Though the Jews did not accept Christ as Messiah, He was that “Sinless” sacrifice sent by God to redeem mankind! – 

1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers: 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

If He had not been sinless, He would not have been the Messiah, If He had not been the Messiah, He would not be worthy to open any one of the seven seals.

PRAISE GOD HE IS SINLLESS! HE IS THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH! HE IS THE ROOT OF DAVID! HE IS THE MESSIAH AND HE IS WORTHY!!!!

III. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Submission verse 6a

Verse 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,

Here we see Christ pictured as a Lamb that had been slain.

This Holy Lamb of God was a willing sacrifice for our sins! – 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:

In most instances throughout the New Testament you will find the word “Amnos”,

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g286/kjv/tr/0-1/

but here in Revelation chapter 5 we find the word “Arnion”.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g721/kjv/tr/0-1/

I draw your attention to the distinction of these words to further paint the picture of what John saw…..

He did not just see an ‘amnos’ a lamb, he saw an ‘arnion’ … a “little pet lamb”

Consider this differentiation very carefully:

The Elder tells John to behold the “LION” of the tribe of Judah,

John was expecting a vigorously healthy, strong and mighty conquering lion and he turns and sees this little ‘arnion,’ this little pet lamb.

In Exodus 12, we see the people of Israel instructed to:

1) Select a perfect lamb, one without blemish and without spot.

2) Take that lamb into their home and nourish it and care for it for a number of days

3) During that time, that little lamb became like a pet lamb to that family.

After a certain period of time they were to:

a) Take that lamb and kill it

b) Apply its blood to the doorposts of their home

c) Roast the body and eat it.

If the people obeyed this command, they would be spared when the Lord came to judge the Egyptians.

This Passover lamb was a picture of how God would judge His only Son at Calvary.

This submissive lamb came into a world which would hate, reject and crucify Him. God placed His only Son on that cross in my place so that I could go free!

The Lamb of God was slain and died so that we might live!!

When it is all said and done,

When I ponder the depth of this imponderable statement,

I never could quite bring myself to understand ….

Why a king would leave His throne

For the sake of both his very best friends and his very worst enemies

To dawn the robe of an earthly man

And feel the pain of flesh and bone

Then to trod that lonely path

That lead to Calvary

But whether I am his very best friend or his very worst enemy,

This statement is inescapably and immutably true ….

But those blood red stains broke all my chains

So that I, being the best of friends or the worst of enemies, could still go free

This “little, pet Lamb” won the victory

and because of that, He is absolutely worthy to take the book.

A great illustration of Christ’s Submission is found in Matthew 26:38-42

IV. Christ Is Worthy Because Of His Sacrifice verses 6 and 9

v6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

v9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Jesus purchased the victory on the cross

– John 19:30 when Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “it is finished”: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.

This Lamb that was slain, was slain for us!

This was prophesied in Isaiah 53:4-5 

Surely, he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

This Lamb in verse 6 still bears the marks of having been slain – When we see Jesus in Heaven, we will yet still see the marks of His suffering in His body.

For all eternity, Jesus will bear the wounds of the cross as a constant reminder of what He did for us.

There will be no room for pride in Heaven!

No one will be able to brag about how he got there. When we see Him, we will see His love on permanent display.

And we will say WORTHY IS THE LAMB!!!

The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Sovereignty, Sinlessness, Submission, Sacrifice and FINALLY we see:

V. Christ Is Worthy Because Of His Success verses 9-10

v9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

This heavenly choir sang a “new” song! – Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation

What is the “success” of this lamb?

Take very careful and well considered notice that He is now “standing”

The Lamb is in Heaven not in a manger, not on a dusty road in Galilee, not on a ship in a storm.

He is not hanging in shame and agony on a cross.

He is not lying in a cold, sealed tomb.

He is where He deserves to be.

He is on the throne. He is glorified and exalted in Heaven!

When Jesus ascended, He “sat down” at the right hand of God, Hebrews 1:3.

He sat down because His work of redeeming sinners was complete. The Lamb is standing here because His work of delivering the earth is about to begin!

•Jesus brought Success Over Death Hell and The Grave

– Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Satan thought he had defeated Jesus when Jesus died on the cross.

Hell must have celebrated as the broken, bleeding, body of Jesus was removed from that cross and placed in that borrowed tomb.

For three days, the demons and devils of Hell must have dance in delight as they celebrated what they thought was Satan’s victory over the Lord Jesus Christ.

What Satan thought was his greatest victory was in fact his greatest defeat!

On that third day Christ rose from that Tomb to live forever more!!

Because of the Success of the Lamb, we have the Hope of Eternal Life!

i. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Sovereignty

ii. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Sinlessness

iii. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Submission

iv. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Sacrifice

v. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Success

Worthy!

Worthy!

Worthy! The Lamb That Was Slain!

Holy! Holy! Holy! Is He ….

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Heavenly Father, what a blessing to know that as a member of the Bride of Christ, I will be uniting my voice to sing this glorious new song with the 24 elders. Thank You that I have been redeemed by Your blood, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ my Savior. He alone is worthy of all my praise, honor, and glory, Holy! Holy! Holy! Is He ALONE! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! AMEN.

https://translate.google.com/

Our One Exclusive Focus: Our Worship of the Lamb who sits upon the Throne. Revelation 4:1-11, Revelation 5:13-14.

Revelation 4Amplified Bible

Scene in Heaven

4 After this I looked, and behold, [a]a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a [war] trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” 2 At once I was in [special communication with] the Spirit; and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne. 3 And He who sat there appeared like [the crystalline sparkle of] [b]a jasper stone and [the fiery redness of] a sardius stone, and encircling the throne there was a rainbow that looked like [the color of an] emerald. 4 Twenty-four [other] thrones surrounded the throne; and seated on these thrones were [c]twenty-four elders dressed in white clothing, with crowns of gold on their heads.

The Throne and Worship of the Creator

5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and [rumbling] sounds and peals of thunder. Seven lamps of fire were burning in front of the throne, which are [d] the seven Spirits of God; 6 and in front of the throne there was something like a sea or large expanse of glass, like [the clearest] crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living [e]creatures who were full of eyes in front and behind [seeing everything and knowing everything that is around them]. 7 [f] The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf (ox), the third creature had the face of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying,

“Holy, holy, holy [is the] Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], who was and who is and who is to come [the unchanging, eternal God].”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.”

Revelation 5:13-14Amplified Bible

13 And I heard every created thing that is in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] or on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying [together],

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Christ), be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped [Him who lives forever and ever].

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

The very first time I went whitewater rafting was one early spring day with a friend of mine. It was early in the winter to spring runoffs and the river water promised to be fast and furious and according to the pamphlet – ‘serious fun.’

We arrived, made our introductions and divided into two rafts. We got our wet gear, we put on life jackets and helmets, and we got our oars, some instructions on the bank before setting out, had a lengthy discussion about safety equipment and procedures, and some rigorous practice in basic techniques along the shore.

I was made very clear of my role – and tried very hard to be very focused on exactly what I was supposed to do as the rafts new “Right-Front” paddler.

Our river guide explained that the way we kept ourselves in the boat (which is a bit of a priority, I’ll admit), was by wedging our feet into the bottom of the boat.

Unfortunately, I was more focused on my paddling responsibility than on keeping myself in the boat, and so the very first rapid we hit I went tumbling back into the middle of the boat, almost began whitewater rafting from there!

Quite simply, my focus was wrong, and I paid the consequence. Luckily, we had been instructed in what to do should we fall out of our positions on the raft, and so as soon as the guide took over the raft, we all took the time to focus on safety.

I adjusted my focus and did what I needed to do to remain safe and get placed back into my spot. And I can assure you that once back in my place, my focus was adjusted, I spent much more time concentrating on staying in my place.

The point is, I had to adjust my focus. Sometimes we need to adjust the focus of our lives as well. Often our tendency as human beings are to take our eyes off of our God and look only at the situation life finds us in, and we get overwhelmed.

My main point this morning is that our focus must be on God – we must always be focused on God.

We are going to again examine chapter 4 of the book of Revelation, and from this find three areas that need to be our constant focus, in the midst of difficult times and during those rare times when life is running along smoothly:

first, we need to Focus on God’s position;

second, we need to Focus on God’s power;

and third, we need to focus on God’s perfection.

I want you to again turn in your Bibles focusing upon Revelation chapter 4.

As you are finding it, let me give you just a bit of background on the book of Revelation before diving into this chapter, because I know that there is a great diversity in how people feel about this particular book of the Bible

– some people are really scared by it, some are intrigued and some curious, still others find great encouragement and discover comfort, while lots and lots of us people will just decide to ignore it because they can’t focus, figure any of it out!

The purpose of the book of Revelation is very clear – it was written to encourage Christians. It’s main, number one purpose, is encouragement.

Now, some of us who have read the book and remember quite visually all the plagues and death and war and strife and terrible pain, which is described, as God pours out His Judgement and wrath on the world; Like me at first, you may be wondering exactly how all this could possibly be a book of encouragement.

Well, the answer I believe is found in the broad perspective of the entire book.

I can try to over-simplify it by saying this:

There is a huge eternal struggle between God and Satan, between good and evil, and its heavenly panoramic view is ugly and painful and difficult, and God wins.

Satan is chained.

Satan is crushed.

Satan is defeated.

Romans 16:20Amplified Bible

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The [wonderful] grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

There is where the encouragement lies – God wins!

Satan can do his worst, can throw everything in his arsenal at us as God’s children, but it is never ever going to be enough to ever overcome God.

God will be victorious, and Satan will be crushed and rendered powerless for eternity.

The encouragement is found in the immovable, unshakeable security that we who have confessed Christ as Savior know the end of the story! We know who wins – who is more powerful – who is more worthy of our love and our service.

A short distance off the coast of present-day Turkey lies a tiny island called Patmos, where just over 1,900 years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to John the Beloved and instructed him to write down an account of the visions and the revelations he was about to be given (see Revelation 1:10–16, 19).

In Revelation 1–3, John introduced essential themes that run throughout the book. Revelation 1 describes a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, unveiling aspects of the Savior’s power and our Alpha and Omega’s eternal mission, including the reassuring truth that the Lord labors among and with His faithful servants.

In Revelation 2–3, John’s letters focus on seven branches of the Church, convey observations and messages of blessings, criticism, counsel and correction from the Lord to help His followers refocus and to receive the blessings of exaltation.

The messages in these chapters showed the Saints in John’s Day that Savior Jesus Christ will help His followers overcome even as He overcame, and these messages will teach the same thing to us today pulling our focus off the world.

The first three chapters of Revelation are a series of visions for very specific churches which existed at the time of the writing of this book, with specific, focused observations, criticisms, instructions for each one of them to focus on.

Revelation chapter 4 begins a new section, where John’s visions of the cosmic struggle between God and Satan, and the eventual outcome, begins.

It is fascinating and instructive that the entire revelation begins in the throne room of heaven, with the focus

(1) on God’s position – in the center, on the throne,

(2) a focus on God’s power and

(3) a focus on God’s perfection.

This chapter sets the tone for the focus rest of the book.

I. Focus on God’s Position – In the EXACT CENTER, on the throne

We need to constantly have our focus tweaked so that we are centered on God.

The very first thing I want us to focus in on from Revelation chapter 4 is the Focus on God’s position.

John, the recipient and recorder of these visions, is ushered into the very throne room of heaven (verses 1 and 2 describe his invitation and response).

He writes (vs. 2-3)

“At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian (these were precious stones, jasper likely a clear stone, and carnelian a Firey red stone). A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. ”

So, we see, from this vision of the throne room of heaven, God is in the exact center of it all.

Everything else – the emerald rainbow, the thrones of the 24 elders, even the 4 living creatures mentioned a little later on, are described as around the throne of God – focused exclusively on God’s position in the exact center of heaven.

John sees God on His throne in the exact center of everything else.

God exalted above everything else.

God in absolute control of everything – period.

This is the first Focus – on God’s position.

I want to pause here to ask you this question:

when you look at the central focus of your life, is God at the exact center?

Have you granted him exclusive permission to come in and take exclusive control your life – only focus of your soul, occupy the throne in your heart?

What position does He hold in your life – supreme ruler, or is He more like an advisor that you, as supreme ruler, which we occasionally focus upon, turn to for “advice” when the “wisdom of our own wisdom” runs out of “clever?”

I know it is probably taboo to say this, but I so plead with you to take an honest look at your heart – your motivations and your actions – demand from yourself whether or not God is at the center of your life, or you are. Where is your focus?

It’s an important question to answer, because the rest of the book of Revelation details what happens to those who do not acknowledge Christ as their king –

those who do not focus on God and make Him the center of their lives – and it’s not a pretty sight! On the other hand, for those that do acknowledge Jesus as Lord and King the rewards are great and guaranteed – eternity in paradise!

If you’ve never made Jesus the center of your life – asked Him to be your king – then listen carefully, because your eternity is in jeopardy.

2000 years ago, Jesus left the scene we’ve just read in Revelation 4 to come to earth and live among us.

He lived among us and taught us many things about God’s character and His love for mankind.

And then He was crucified – hung on a cross like the worst kind of criminal.

But here is the important part: He rose from the dead. Jesus defeated the power of death! Death was not strong enough to hold Him!

So, what does that have to do with you and the center of your life?

This.

When you make Jesus your king, death’s hold over you are broken as well.

When you make Jesus your king, death’s hold over you are broken as well.

The Bible says this: (Romans6:5) “If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.”

Today, will you choose to make Jesus the exact, exacting center of your life?

Maybe you have asked Jesus to be the exact center of your life in the past but have since taken back control.

When I asked you to take an honest look at yourself,

if we had to answer that we were back on the throne instead of God, or that we have again and again placed something else at the exact center of our life (like money, old rusty destinies, success or pride), then we have some work to do.

You and I definitely need to refocus on what matters the most to us, repent of that sin and strive to again accept God’s promise of forgiveness and restoration.

I’ve tried to state these things very strongly this morning on purpose.

The length and breadth and height and depths of the Bible takes the issue of “who is the center (or Lord, if you prefer) of your life very (eternally) seriously.

My purpose is not to discourage or frighten you, but rather to communicate the truth that God must be at the very center of our lives – we must make Him our Lord, and give all of our allegiance to Him, and focus on Him and on Him alone.

Now, how does a Focus on God’s position help you and I as we go about our daily lives?

Well, when we are focused on God’s position – at the center of our universe and at the center of our lives, our foundation will be secure.

The fundamental ideas of who we are and how we fit into our universe will be answered in a convincing and powerful way.

When Jesus is truly our Lord, we know for certain who we serve – we know that we are servants of the one and only God – and we know that He has accepted us and welcomed us into His very own family.

That perspective will give us strength to face whatever challenges we face in this world.

We know who we are and who we serve.

Focusing on God’s position allows us to retain a “big picture” perspective which will definitely, and directly, and decisively, help keep each and every single one of us becoming overwhelmed by the diversity of situations we find ourselves in.

II. Focus on God’s Power

The second Focus I find in Revelation 4 is a focus on the power of God.

There are at least two images of the power of God demonstrated in this chapter, and the first is the one we have just finished discussion – God on the throne.

The throne is the seat of power and authority, and the place from which God exercises His power and dominion.

Look at verse 5 – here we get the second image of the power of God.

“From the throne came flashes of lightening, rumblings, and peals of thunder”.

These flashes of lightening, and rumblings, and peals of thunder are pictures of God’s awesome power – they are images designed to focus, to communicate to the reader something of the maximum scope, magnitude, of the power of God.

We often hear reports on the news of the power of the forces of nature – whether it is from flooding or hurricanes, or tsunamis or earthquakes.

Those pictures always vividly remind me how frail all of our civilization is in comparison to the power of God.

We have wonderful technologies and highly trained and rehearsed response teams to deploy into emergency situations – but ultimately, there is really very little they can do when the very ground begins to shake, and roads and airport runways fold up like paper, when whole houses collapse from rushing water!

May God bless and watch over, vigilantly protect our Armies of First Responders!!!

This verse in Revelation 4 provides us with a wonderful image that reminds us of the power of God.

I found it a wonderful encouragement as I studied this passage that God is still on the throne of the universe, ruling it in power.

He has not left us alone down here to fumble around by ourselves in the dark.

He has not abandoned us nor forsaken us to suffer alone through this life without any offer of unfailing guidance or thoroughly accurate directions.

He has not planned for us to have a miserable existence in this life.

No, He is very active, and the power is still flowing from His throne, just like the picture in Revelation 4 shows us.

And the power is flowing for the benefit and assistance of those who call Jesus their Lord and king. He is still in 100% control; He is still working powerfully in our world. Please Remember that. Focus on that. And be encouraged by that.

It is important to note as we focus on God’s power that we control how much it flows in our lives.

God’s power to work in and through us is dependent upon our cooperation.

It works a lot like a tap.

By turning the tap on just a small bit, you get just a few drops of water.

By opening it up more, you allow more water to flow.

It is possible for us to limit the ability of God to work in our lives.

As we focus on the power of God, and open ourselves to Him, we allow God to work on us – molding us deeper into His image – and through us – to spread His desperately needed message of maximum hope and salvation to all mankind.

Once again, how does this focus help you and I in our daily lives?

Well, when we are focused on God’s power (by which He created everything out of nothing and through which he continues to uphold and sustain the laws of nature and by which He manages to meet all of our concerns and needs)

– when we are focused on God’s power, flowing from His throne, what problem that we face is going to seem overwhelming?

What situation would leave us feeling hopeless?

What mountain will seem insurmountable?

When we are focused on the power of God that flows from His throne, we can face every situation in our lives with boldness, courage, and confidence in how God will work things together for His glory.

What a living hope – what a secure anchor – what an undeniably worthy focus.

III. Focus on God’s perfection

The third and final focus that I find in Revelation chapter 4 is a focus on God’s perfection.

He is a Holy God, perfect in every way, completely and totally morally pure.

Verse 6: “Before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal”.

Although some scholars disagree on the symbolism here, the most likely and convincing interpretation is of this is an image of God’s holiness – his purity.

We find the same emphasis in the worship offered by the four living creatures, halfway through verse 8: “Day and night they never stop saying: ’Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’”

The focus in the worship of those creatures surrounding the throne is on the holiness of God’s character.

So how does focusing on God’s perfection help us?

As I thought about the three focuses, I’ve talked about today,

focus on God’s position, focus on God’s power, and focus on God’s perfection,

and as I considered how these help us in our daily lives, I came to the conclusion that this one helps the most.

Let me try to explain my two reasons why:

First, as we focus on the holiness of God, we are immediately confronted with our own sin in comparison.

When Isaiah was ushered into this same throne room, he fell to the ground and his heart, and his soul and his voice immediately cried out:

“Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and (now) my eyes have seen the king, the Lord Almighty.” (Is. 6:5).

Focusing on God’s holiness makes us realize our sinfulness.

How does that help?

Often, not always, our problems are partially of our own making.

Isn’t that, right?

Do not we often get ourselves into a problem as a result of an act of sin.

That’s our human nature!

Focusing on God’s holiness reveals our sinfulness, which we can then identify as contributing to the problem in the first place.

And that hopefully, faithfully, lovingly, prayerfully changes our whole attitude regarding how we approach the sinful situation – we are willing to accept our responsibility, and we can then work to correct the wrong we did.

Most of the time, gracefully, the other people involved will respond positively in that kind of environment and admit their part, and resolution can be found.

The second reason why this focus is the most helpful is that our focus on the holiness of God keeps us from sinning in the midst of the problem.

If our own sin is often part of the cause of the problem, our sinful actions are often what make the problem larger.

This is a great help to us!

Focusing on the holiness of God in the midst of a difficult situation in our lives will greatly decrease our propensity to sin in the midst of the problem.

Instead of our completely having a fit and storming into the boss’s office to yell and scream (and maybe cuss a time or two or three?) demanding an apology for the mistreatment we have suffered (which is more likely to make the problem bigger), a focus on the complete holiness of God gives an opportunity to pause and then to consider our actions and the morality of what we would like to do.

We can then moderate our actions and maintain our integrity while working hard towards a resolution of the problem.

We were made to praise God. As the Reformed tradition confesses, our chief purpose is “to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever” (Westminster Shorter Catechism). To glorify God means to enter into the joy of our salvation. It means that all that God has done for us in Christ directs our living and thanksgiving.

The verses from Revelation 5 shows that the grace poured out on us by the Lamb, who was slain, is at the exact center of our praise.

An old favorite hymn says it well:

“Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.”

Just as an instrument needs to be rightly tuned, so do our hearts.

It’s so tempting to want praise directed at our own accomplishments.

But the Bible is clear that we are unworthy of the blessings we receive.

We are all called to declare the praise of the God who spoke us into being and rescued us from the power of sin and death by the self-sacrifice of the worthy Lamb, Jesus Christ, who had no sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

All else that we do well in life—all we accomplish and all we contribute to God’s kingdom of peace—flows from God’s saving grace.

Revelation chapter 4 is a beautiful picture of our God.

We need to take from this chapter the overall importance of focusing on God –

Focus on God’s position – acknowledge God at the center of the universe and make Him the center of your life.

Second, Focus on God’s Power – what problem in our lives will seem insurmountable when our focus is on the power of God!?!

Finally, Focus on God’s perfection – on His holiness – and allow that focus to first purge us of sinful actions and attitudes and second, prayerfully, keep us from falling back into sinful ways.

Let’s take this focus into the future. Let’s agree together that we are going to focus exclusively on God and live in obedience to His every command.

Can we imagine where God is going to take us as a body with this kind of focus?

What an undeniably exciting prospect!

What an indescribable and inspired message of encouragement!

And what an insurmountable strength of joy and Shalom we will find together as we seek first and foremost, His kingdom alone and His righteousness first.

So, in our maximum expression of “full throated” gratitude we raise high our hands, our thanks to the Lamb on the throne.

His grace covers all our sins and shame, and his grace will lead us home.

Is your heart centralized and maximally focused, tuned for gratitude today?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Living and faithful Spirit, the pre-existent, ever-living God in whom we live and move and have our being, the God who is made known in Christ Jesus,

bless us one and all as we wait on you this day. Please remove from our minds and hearts whatever impediments which hinder worship or dampen our joy. Increase within us that holy longing for closeness which can open our lives to fuller delight and to a deeper, “full throated” commitment.

May our hymns and prayers, our searching thoughts, and our hearing of the Scriptures, be an exercise in maximum accountability, maximum obedience.

By you, with you and for you, may our lives focus upon, publish your praise.

In the name of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus Christ. Alleluia! Amen!

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Now, is exactly the right time! Come, Let Us Finally get excited about our Worship of our God. Revelation 4:1-11

Revelation 4 Amplified Bible

Scene in Heaven

4 After this I looked, and behold, [a]a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a [war] trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” 2 At once I was in [special communication with] the Spirit; and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne. 3 And He who sat there appeared like [the crystalline sparkle of] [b]a jasper stone and [the fiery redness of] a sardius stone, and encircling the throne there was a rainbow that looked like [the color of an] emerald. 4 Twenty-four [other] thrones surrounded the throne; and seated on these thrones were [c]twenty-four elders dressed in white clothing, with crowns of gold on their heads.

The Throne and Worship of the Creator

5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and [rumbling] sounds and peals of thunder. Seven lamps of fire were burning in front of the throne, which are [d] the seven Spirits of God; 6 and in front of the throne there was something like a sea or large expanse of glass, like [the clearest] crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living [e]creatures who were full of eyes in front and behind [seeing everything and knowing everything that is around them]. 7 [f] The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf (ox), the third creature had the face of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying,

“Holy, holy, holy [is the] Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], who was and who is and who is to come [the unchanging, eternal God].”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.”

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Heaven’s throne room is filled with indescribable sounds of praise and worship.

The four living creatures give round-the-clock adoration to the One on the throne. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,” they proclaim.

This is a picture of all creation exalting, glorifying, honoring, magnifying, God as the Creator and Lord over all things—the only ONE worthy of all our praise.

Creation’s song of praise—led by the four living creatures— serves as a call to worship for the twenty-four elders.

God’s people cannot help themselves, responding in everlasting worship when surrounded by the authentic, enthusiastic praises of all the rest of creation.

All God’s people in his worldwide church—young and elder­ly, seekers and established followers—help each other cele­brate and confess with praise.

Together, today, every single moment of every single day, we join with the rest of creation, saying,

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they . . . have their being.”

This picture reminds us that just as all of creation constantly proclaims the glory of God (Psalm 19), so too can all God’s people—in our work and play each day as well as when we gather for a worship service. All things give glory to God for bringing them into being, and he keeps all creation in his constant care.

Our creating, life-sustaining God is worthy to receive our praise always.

But now let us ask the question I am sure everyone has their own answer for:

What is worship? 

Okay, I know that is a ridiculously obvious question!

Every adult and most children reading this morning know what worship is!”

Since in these 2022 technological times and that is such a ridiculously obvious question and the answer is obviously such common knowledge to the vast majority of those in this assembly, quietly answer that question to yourself.

If you were standing on the exact place of your own Judgement, and God asked you to put your head up, shoulders back and your smart phone down, and then look and answer the question, “What is worship?” what would your answer be?

The New Testament does very little to either define or describe worship.

In fact, the Old Testament does more to define and describe worship than does the New Testament.

Jesus talked very little about worship.

The book of Acts describes the beginning of Christianity but does not describe Christian worship in detail.

The epistles do not contain major sections on worship.

The New Testament book that says more about worship than any other New Testament writing is the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

It in symbolic terms makes several statements about worship in heaven.

I. I ask you to do two things.

A. The first thing I ask you to do is to call to mind your definition of worship.

1. I am quite serious.

2. Think about your definition of worship.

3. I want you to consciously hold on to that definition.

B. The second thing I want you to do is this:

1. While you keep your definition of worship firmly in your awareness,

2. I want you to read with me several worship scenes from the book of Revelation.

3. So I want you to do two things at one time:

stay constantly aware of your personal definition of worship

and listen to what Revelation says about worship.

C. Read with me.

Revelation 4:8Amplified Bible

8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying,

“Holy, holy, holy [is the] Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], who was and who is and who is to come [the unchanging, eternal God].”

Take great care to note the stress upon God’s holiness.

Revelation 4:9-11 Amplified Bible

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.”

Again, take great care to note the stress upon God’s holiness.

Revelation 5:8-10Amplified Bible

8 And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Christ), each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of fragrant incense, which are the prayers of the saints (God’s people). 9 And they sang a new song [of glorious redemption], saying,

“Worthy and deserving are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 
“You have made them to be a kingdom [of royal subjects] and priests to our God; and they will reign on the earth.”

Note the first two passages involved the worship of God, Who is the central figure in heaven.

Note the shift in this passage: the worship of the resurrected Jesus, God’s sacrificial Lamb.

Note the emphasis is on the worthiness of Jesus because he accomplished God’s basic objective.

Revelation 5:11-12Amplified Bible

Angels Exalt the Lamb

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and [the voice] of the living creatures and the elders; and they numbered myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands (innumerable), 12 saying in a loud voice,

“Worthy and deserving is the Lamb that was sacrificed to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

The Lamb is still the focus of worship here.

Take great care to note again the stress is still on worthiness.

Revelation 5:13-14 Amplified Bible

13 And I heard every created thing that is in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] or on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying [together],

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Christ), be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped [Him who lives forever and ever].

Now the focus is both on God and the Lamb.

The stress is on their praise worthiness.

Revelation 7:11-12 Amplified Bible

11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the [twenty-four] elders and the four living creatures; and they fell to their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and majesty and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

The focus of worship is now back on God.

Again, take great care to note God is praised for His worthiness.

Revelation 11:16-18 Amplified Bible

16 And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell face downward and worshiped God, 17 saying,

“To You we give thanks, O Lord God Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], Who are and Who were, because You have taken Your great power and the sovereignty [which is rightly Yours] and have [now] begun to reign. 18 And the nations (Gentiles) became enraged, and Your wrath and indignation came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and [the time came] to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints (God’s people) and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and [the time came] to destroy the destroyers of the earth.”

The focus is still on God.

Note the stress is on thanksgiving.

There was an outpouring of gratitude because God has used His power to rescue them from all that tried to destroy them.

Revelation 14:6-7Amplified Bible

The Angel with the Gospel

6 Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an [a]eternal gospel to preach to the inhabitants of the earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people; 7 and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God [with awe and reverence], and give Him glory [and honor and praise in worship], because the hour of His judgment has come; [with all your heart] worship Him who created the heaven and the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

The focus is still on God.

The stress is on reverencing (fear) God by giving Him glory as the source of judgment and creation.

Revelation 15:2-4Amplified Bible

2 Then I saw something like a sea or large expanse of glass mixed with fire, and those who were victorious over the beast and over his image and over the number corresponding to his name were standing on the sea or large expanse of glass, holding harps of God [worshiping Him]. 3 And they [a]sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and wonderful and awe-inspiring are Your works [in judgment],

O Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all];
Righteous and true are Your ways,
O King of the [b]nations!
4 
“Who will not fear [reverently] and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]?
For You alone are holy;
For all the nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your righteous acts [Your just decrees and judgments] have been revealed and displayed.”

The focus in still on God.

They sang.

God’s greatness and holiness is honored.

Revelation 19:1-6Amplified Bible

The Fourfold Hallelujah

19 After these [a]things I heard something like the great and mighty shout of a vast multitude in heaven, [b]exclaiming,

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory (splendor, majesty) and power (dominion, might) belong to our God; 2 because His judgments are true and righteous. He has judged [convicted and pronounced sentence on] the great prostitute (idolatress) who was corrupting and ruining and poisoning the earth with her adultery (idolatry), and He has imposed the penalty for the blood of His bond-servants [c]on her.” 3 And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! Her smoke shall ascend forever and ever.” 4 Then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures also fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah (praise the Lord)!” 5 Then from the throne there came a voice, saying,

“Praise our God, all you bond-servants of His, you who fear Him, the small (common) and the great (distinguished).”

Marriage of the Lamb

6 Then I heard something like the shout of a vast multitude, and like the boom of many pounding waves, and like the roar of mighty peals of thunder, saying,

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all] reigns.

The focus is still on God.

It is a scene of praise.

Four times God’s throne rings with the sound of creatures declaring, “Hallelujah!” [Literally, “Praise the Lord,” a joyful expression of thanksgiving.]

God won!

He did what He intended to do!

He defeated even the strongest centers of wickedness and evil, and He rescued all who would turn to Him!

The result was an incredible, indescribable, outpouring of gratitude to Him.

Now is the time (sorry, I have to) to return you to the year of our Savior 2022.

D. Do a little comparing.

0. Do you still have your definition of worship clearly in your mind?

1. How does your definition of worship compare to what happened in heaven in worship of God and of the Lamb (Jesus Christ)?

2. Where in your definition of worship do these things fit in?

a. The holiness of God.

b. The worthiness of God.

c. The praise worthiness of God and the Lamb.

d. Reverencing God for His holiness.

e. Glorifying God.

f. Saying, “Amen,” and declaring, “Hallelujah” with joy.

II. Let me make some personal observations–you do not have to agree with me, but I surely hope and fervently pray that God has challenged you to think.

A. My first observation is that there is not a whole lot that occurs in our worship assemblies that prepares us for heavenly worship.

0. There are not many “Amens.”

1. Too rarely is there this powerful sense of gratitude because our God of power has forgiven us and rescued us.

2. Too rarely is there this powerful sense of joy that flows from the gratitude of what God has done.

3. There are almost no hallelujahs, or obvious expressions and declarations of praise because of God’s great worthiness and holiness.

4. There is little evidence that we who believe and preach and confess and testify to belonging to God feel genuinely compelled to fall before our God.

B. My second observation is that we have through the centuries changed worship.

0. It has become a “take out’” type of worship, not much better than the take-out meals we have become accustom too.

1. No preparation. No real purification, No real cost, No real thought, and no real effort and no real inspiration or encouragement towards active participation.

C. We have made worship assemblies primarily about education instead of primarily about praising God.

a. We are so busy there is no time for spiritual education.

b. There is not convenient time to study–individually or with a group.

c. I wonder if for some of you the only time you seriously think about the Bible is when you read a daily devotional or go to “church” on any Sunday morning.

1. The core of our worship focuses on the sermon, a human accomplishment, rather than the Lord’s Supper, a divine accomplishment.

a. If you are typical, you are more likely to react to your opinion of the sermon than your opinion of what God did in Jesus Christ.

b. Your faith is more likely to be affected by what is said or what is not said, but should have been said, in a sermon than what God did in the death of Jesus.

D. My third observation: (and this one might prayerfully stun a few people) one of the key reasons [not all the reasons, but one of the significant reasons] that we are losing so many people is this: we have made too much effort to convert people to the church denomination, too little effort to convert people to Christ.

0. We are the church–the church is not some institution that exists apart from us.

1. If a man or a woman is in Christ, he or she by an act of God is part of God and Christ’s church.

2. The power of God and the glory of God will be seen in the church when the power of God and the glory of God is seen in our lives.

III. The basic objective of worship is simple.

A. First, worship should call all who are in Christ closer to God.

B. Second, worship should fill those who belong to God through Christ with a sense of joy and gratitude.

C. Third, worship should make every single Christian feel closer to every other Christian because the one thing we all have in common, the unifying element, is that we are in our Lord and Savior and King, Christ Jesus.

Question: how often to you leave a worship assembly without worshipping?

Question: how often do you leave a worship assembly feeling joy and gratitude because you feel much closer to God?

Question: Will you feel, have you felt, joy and gratitude toward God this week?

Question: How did you express it?

Question: How did you experience it?

Question: How will you live it out?

Question: How do you live into it?

Question: How do you live outward from it?

Question: How will you maximize ‘Love God, your neighbor, yourself’ from it?

Question: How have you been minimizing ‘Love God, neighbor, self’ from it?

Question: Does your neighbor know anything about your maximum, minimum?

What other questions do you have on your heart, soul, which require an answer?

What about your “eternal perspective” of worship requires a “re-adjustment?”

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Prayer of Affirmation

This world would deny you, Lord,
and rely overmuch on human wisdom
in their alleged “search” for answers
to questions they have yet to ask,
but we will yet raise to praise you,
and exalt and magnify your name,
for we know that you are Alpha,
the beginning of all things,
and Omega,
the end,
and all that is between.
We have known your healing.
We have known your provision,
We have known your victory.
Our sorrow has turned into dancing
and our tears to songs of joy.
We shall praise you ever more. Amen

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A Fresh and Sure Sighting of the Occupied Throne of Heaven. The Worship of Heaven. Revelation 4

Revelation 4:1-4Amplified Bible

Scene in Heaven

4 After this I looked, and behold, [a]a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a [war] trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” 2 At once I was in [special communication with] the Spirit; and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne. 3 And He who sat there appeared like [the crystalline sparkle of] [b]a jasper stone and [the fiery redness of] a sardius stone, and encircling the throne there was a rainbow that looked like [the color of an] emerald. 4 Twenty-four [other] thrones surrounded the throne; and seated on these thrones were [c]twenty-four elders dressed in white clothing, with crowns of gold on their heads.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

This morning I find myself meditating upon the Book of Revelation and its stark description of worship in heaven and the songs of praise sung to God.

Meditating about worshiping in God’s presence has set my heart on eternity, the greatness of God, the grandeur of the throne room of God, the angels are singing loud and the wonderful things He has done for us and will do for us.

I got to pondering about how exactly how thrilling will it be to be in the very Presence of the Lord with saints from every tribe, tongue, nation, and period throughout all of history doing nothing but lifting high the name of Jesus!

Below is a list of verses from Revelation describing worship in heaven.

As you read them, I encourage you to use the words for your own praise and worship to our Maker and Savior, as well as dwell on the following themes:

  • The holiness and greatness of God
  • The content of the praises, specifically the gospel, in which Christ redeems people from every nation through His blood
  • The benefits believers have in Christ
  • The diversity of worshippers in heaven
  • The justice of God

Worship in Heaven According to Revelation

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” 

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:8-11)

And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders 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, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.   (Revelation 5:9-14)

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:9-10)

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:9-12)

And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. (Revelation 11:17-19)

And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:3-4)

And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!” And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!” (Revelation 16:5-6)

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.” Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:1-9)

So, as you have meditated and pondered these verses over the past few minutes,

Will you now tell God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit exactly how do you feel?

You are standing in the doorway to heaven.

Before you, taking central stage, is God sitting on his great throne.

You cannot make him out clearly because of the dazzling splendor.

You see something like bright, beautiful jewels.

An emerald rainbow surrounds the throne, and from the throne shoots forth flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne stand burning seven torches of fire.

Can you tell God that you feel the unquestioned, undeniable majesty of God?

Or is the fullness of your heart and soul and mind just far too deep in minutiae?

A few concluding observations:

  • We often love to praise God for loving us, but how often do we praise Him for His judgment? How often do we even speak of His judgment? Not speaking of God as a god of judgment can reflect a one-dimensional view of God who is love, but also a God of holiness and justice that hates sin enough to send people to hell for all of eternity. This should cause us a holy fear of God and magnify in our hearts His awesome justice and mercy shown to us in Christ on the cross.
  • The mighty works of God throughout history have not come to an end. A reason why a “new” song is sung is because God will do amazing works at the end of history that He hasn’t received praise for yet. When God does something great in your life–praise Him for His marvelous works! (To go deeper, see Psalm 107.)
  • We are only able to clothe ourselves in bright and pure fine linen and worship our true God through the blood of the lamb spilt for us. Praise be to God for His unlimited authority, undeniable, immeasurable grace shown us in the gospel!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Heavenly Father, on a regular basis, life reminds us how little control we have over anything—over the quality of the weather, or the quantity, measure, of our disappointments; over unexpected windfalls, and days that take the wind out of us; and over circumstances we don’t like, and people we do love; over local and national and international news, or our limited views, our children’s views.

Yet, Father, through the riches of your grace, we are actually becoming more comfortable with acknowledging you are God, and we are not. Just keep giving us an unobstructed, undiminished, 20/20 sighting of you sitting upon your throne, totally engaged and joyfully and absolutely sovereign over everything.

We don’t really need a timeline of when everything’s going to be okay. All we need to know, in our heart of hearts, is that you are at work for your pleasure and your purpose alone in our lives, and that your plans for us are good—even in the moments (seasons) when it might seem, overwhelmingly so, otherwise.

Since you’ve given Jesus for our perfect and full salvation, we can be certain that you’ll never withhold anything central to your purpose for our lives, or for the entire cosmos. You quite literally DO have the whole world in your hands.

You promise sufficient grace, not the satisfaction of our agenda. You promise to make us like Jesus every day; not to place us in a hammock under a cool breeze. You promise full redemption, not immediate relief. Thank you. Father, we want to want what you want, more fully, gladly, and quickly. So very Amen we pray, in our Lord and Savior Jesus’ kind and always to be exalted and glorious name.

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