AUDIO
TRANSCRIPT
I don’t know about you, but many times during worship, I try to imagine the throne room of God. When I do this, I imagine great lights encircling the throne room. But one of the amazing things about studying the Book of Revelation is that we get a glimpse into what the throne room of Heaven actually looks like.
In Revelation 4, the Holy Spirit shows John a vision of what the throne room looks like and how the Lord is being glorified at all times by the heavenly hosts. The one sitting on the throne, Jesus, looked like jasper or ruby. Verse 3 says there is a “rainbow that shone like an emerald” encircling the throne. I love this picture of what the throne looks like. I can only imagine how breathtaking it is.
Not only do we get to imagine what the physical throne room looks like, but we also get a picture of who is around the throne. There are 24 elders surrounding the throne. Now, scholars believe that these 24 elders represent the 12 tribes of Israel in the Old Testament and the 12 apostles in the New Testament. This is symbolic for all the believers who have worshiped the Lord from the beginning of time until now. There were also 4 living creatures who many believe represent the attributes of God. How incredible of a visual is that? All believers from the beginning until now, encircle a throne and God that shines like diamonds. It’s so beautiful!
Revelation 4:8-10 says, “Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “ ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Day and night, they physically worship God in two ways. They fall down before Jesus and lay down their crowns before Him. As they do this, they declare His holiness. If these magnificent, heavenly creatures are laying down their crowns daily, how much more should we? It is not like it is a one-time thing they’re doing when they have an intense emotional experience with Him (although I’m sure they do have those moments). No, it is both day and night that they never stop saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” They’re not living for their own glory. They cannot because they’re so focused on Him.
What if your life was like that? What if, throughout your day, you were glorifying God by laying down your crowns? Maybe that’s pride or being focused on building your kingdom of one. Lay those things down before Him as soon as they arise. What if you were thinking thoughts that lift Him up all throughout the day? Your life would be totally different. You might actually have the peace that makes no sense.
Practically, I know this can be rough. We all have jobs, parenting, schooling, relationships, sports, dance, and the list could go on and on. I think we have to start where we’re at. I’m trying to think thoughts that honor Him when there’s a lull in my routine. It might be during my lunch break or if I’m waiting in line for something. Driving can be such a great time to worship Him. Sometimes, if I’m having a rough moment at work or a transition, I worship Him. At times, it’s literally for 5 seconds. But it still lifts Him up and gives Him the glory our Creator deserves. He created it all and it’s all for Him!
In verse 11, it says they are telling God He is “worthy to receive glory and honor and power.” It does not say these creatures gave Him glory because, how could a created thing give the creator these things? But, what can we give Him? Our worship. Our adoration is that He is worthy to receive all honor and exaltation.
As His creation, we can lay down our crowns and magnify the creator and sustainer of all things. We should give Him the highest praise at every moment we can. And, as we do this, we join believers who worshiped Him from the beginning of time until now! It’s SO much bigger than us, and it’s essentially not about us. It’s about lifting up the name that is above all names. So, as you go throughout your day today, take as many little moments as you can to magnify our great and mighty God!