Reveling in the Revelation Revelation 4/ Worship in the Throne Room
What does worship mean to you? Last week, we saw some remarkable examples of worship from a worldly perspective. The week started with the inauguration of a new president who is hated by many and worshipped by many others. It ended with two NFL playoff games leading to the Super Bowl. Each team was cheered on by adoring crowds, rooting for their teams with raucous celebrations, including a singing star worshipped by millions of fans.
In Revelation Chapter 4, we glimpse what worship is like in Heaven. The writer, John the Apostle, is suddenly spiritually transported into God's throne room. There, he sees and hears an incredible worship service. Before God’s throne, Johnsees two groups of worshippers. One group consists of four angels with different faces, and the other is composed of twenty-four elders in white robes and gold crowns. The angels continuously praise God, saying Holy, Holy, Holy. Theelders fall down at each praise and cast their crowns at God’s feet.
The worship scene in Revelation 4 is the first of several heavenly worship moments throughout Revelation. What can we learn about worship from this incredible scene that could help us draw nearer to God and further from the world?
Worthiness – In the throne room, the angels and the elders worship God for who He is – the creator and ruler of the universe. The English translation of worship originally meant “worth-ship.” Worship is ascribing worth to someone or something. We attribute value, honor, and devotion to the object of our worship. Idolatry happens when we begin to replace our focus on a worthy God with a focus on spiritually worthless things.
Presence—Worship in the throne room focuses on God's presence. For centuries, the Jews encountered and worshipped God in the temple. When Jesus arrived on Earth, he spoke of himself as the temple. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus became the dwelling place where God and His people can now meet spiritually. Even though we physically meet in churches, true worship first occurs in our hearts.
Reality – In Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster proclaims, "To worship is to experience reality, to touch life.” As followers of Jesus, we often live suspended between two worlds - a physical, broken world and a spiritual Kingdom of God that exists both in heaven and in our hearts. Which one is our reality? The One Who is on the throne and guaranteedto last forever, or those things that come and go with the whims of the crowds and the outcomes of games or politics?
Our Act of Worship - The Bible describes worship as both specific activities and a way of life. Publicly and privately praising, adoring, and expressing reverence for God through prayer and praise are specific acts of worship. But, in a broader sense, worship also refers to an overall lifestyle of glorifying and reflecting God’s glory to others. Both types of worship are essential as our responses to God’s sovereignty and mercy.
In Romans 12:1, the Apostle Paul encourages us to make worship an all-encompassing way of life, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your true and proper worship.”
We can help make worship a central part of each day by asking three questions:
1. What is valuable enough to be worthy of my attention today?
2. How can I allow God to become a living presence today?
3. Will my reality today be my focus on problems and distractions or on the One who has overcome these things?
Maranatha,
Andy
