Chapter four gives us a glorious picture of heavenly worship.
“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this’” (Revelation 4:1).
Revelation 4-22 is a description of things that take place next.
“Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald” (Revelation 4:2-3).
This is a description of God the Father on his throne in heaven.
“Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God” (Revelation 4:4-5).
Twenty-four elders are sitting around the throne. These are twenty-four king/priests who are ruling with God.
“Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!’” (Revelation 4:6-8).
These four living creatures with six wings are the seraphim that guard the throne of God. The description of heavenly worship parallels Isaiah 6.
“Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: ‘You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created’” (Revelation 4:9-11).
The twenty-four elders cast their crowns before the Father; this matches the twenty-four actions by angels in the book of Revelation.
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Heavenly Worship? What does it mean for us in the here and now? How many of us have ever had a special, truly anointed worship experience? How many times have we actually felt the presence of our Living God? How many times have we been empowered from on High to step beyond our abilities, to be moved by His Spirit, accomplishing deeds way beyond our natural abilities? These types of heavenly anointings must never be taken for granted. Seize them, remember them, tell of them and think on these things! It can happen at any time and any place. But for me, on every mission trip, this has occurred, sometimes multiple experiences. What a rich and rewarding blessing, the peace that indeed does, pass all human understanding! So when the Lord allows this to occur, give Praise to His Holy Name, for we get just a tiny glimpse into our future of eternal Heavenly Worship.
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