You Are Worthy, O Lord Our God To Receive Glory, Honor, And Power. For You Created All Things & They Exist Because You Created What You Pleased
He Is Worthy Of It All
“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.” 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. 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. 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!” 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 4:1-11 NKJV
Revelation 4 describes a vision of heaven, specifically focusing on God's throne and the worship surrounding it.
A door opens in heaven, and John is invited to "come up here" to see what is to happen in the coming future.
He then sees a throne with someone sitting on it, appearing like jasper and carnelian, with an emerald rainbow encircling it.
It is written that twenty four elders sit on thrones around the main throne, clothed in white and wearing golden crowns. Flashes of lightning, rumblings, and thunder come from the throne, and seven lamps (representing the seven spirits of God) burn before it.
There is also a sea of glass like crystal in front of the throne, and four living creatures full of eyes surround the throne, praising God.
The chapter begins with a vision of a door standing open in heaven.
This door symbolizes access to the heavenly realm and the divine mysteries it holds.
This door is access to 3rd heaven, a realm of heaven that the devil cannot enter. A place where the devil cannot touch God’s people.
Paul was also taken up to 3rd heaven; He said, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
II Corinthians 12:2-4 NKJV
Like John, he didn’t go up of his own accord, but was invited and taken up.
To accend by one’s own will is a New Age concept that takes them into deep troubles.
To get to third heaven, they must pass through second heaven where the enemy awaits. Even Gods angels are attacked in second heaven (DANIEL 10:13), so to try to accend into third heaven by our own abilities, strength, power, and authority, is in the least foolish.
Furthermore, Paul said, he saw things that it was not lawful to utter.
Very clearly their are things of heaven that at this time, most of man kind is not privileged to see or hear.
But that doesn’t mean we cannot ask to be taken up as was Jesus (LUKE 24:50-53; ACT 12:1-9).
After all, Jesus said, ““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
John 14:12 NKJV
But what is very clear is that this privilege is for a very elect group of believers.
Both Paul and John were taken up into the third heaven by God’s plan and for His purposes, not mans.
In Johns situation, he was taken right up to the throne of God, and it was to see things of the future which was to come.
It was for the purposes of prophecy to the nations, to tell the people of the world what was to come.
Furthermore, he saw the throne and the One seated in heaven.
The description is purposeful and necessary to teach truth of the One seated on the throne and is symbolic, using images of jasper and carnelian to convey God's glory and majesty. The emerald rainbow symbolizes God's covenant and faithfulness.
The twenty four elders are seated on thrones around the central throne, represent a group of authority, possibly a representation of the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. Their white robes and golden crowns signify their status as redeemed believers and their authority as co-rulers with Christ.
From the throne, there are flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, signifying God's power and authority. The seven lamps of fire represent the Holy Spirit-the seven Spirits of God.
The Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of council, the Spirit of knowledge, the Spirit of might, the Spirit of understanding, and the Spirit of the fear of the Lord (ISAIAH 11:2; REVELATION 3:1; 4:5; 5:6).
He saw a sea of glass, clear as crystal, before the throne, possibly symbolizing purity and the separation between God's holiness and humanity's sinfulness.
He saw four living creatures, full of eyes and with unique appearances, the lion, calf, human, and eagle that surround the throne. These creatures symbolize the totality of creation and its worship of God. They are constantly praising God, proclaiming His holiness and sovereignty.
Shouldn’t we believers do the same with reverence and honour?
Do we really take our worship seriously? Do we really place God in the position of honour that He deserves?
The elders respond to the creatures' showing incredible reverence and worship by casting their crowns before the throne and praising God for His creation and worthiness.
The description set out in revelation four, gives us a unique climps of the beauty of the Lord, His power, and sovereignty, and calls us to a place of reverence, praise, honour to the One seated on the throne.
Our God is King of kings and Lord of lords (1 TIMOTHY 6:15; REVELATION 17:14 & 19:16), His name is above every other name and He shall reign forever.
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV
Jesus said, ““And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.””
Revelation 22:12-13 NKJV
My beloved, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and the victory is to all who believe on Him.
Surely He is worthy of it all, every praise, and all honour, and glory, for He alone deserves the glory.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen
