December 23, 2014
Revelation 4-6
Three critical things happen as we peer into the “throne room of heaven:’ 1) No one is found worthy to break the seals of the scroll of God’s immutable word, until 2) the Lamb is found worthy, and 3) opens the first seals of God’s judgments.
That’s what happens, strictly speaking, but what grabs my heart is the swell of praise and worship. When John is first escorted up to heaven, the four living creatures (like the Seraphim in Isaiah 6?) cry, “Holy, holy, holy!” This prompts the 24 elders (12 Hebrews tribes plus 12 disciples!) to sing God’s praise. After the Lamb that was slain steps forward to break the seals of the scroll, the four creatures and 24 elders sing a new song of praise to Lamb. Their song is echoed by the entire host of heaven, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain...!” And, finally, every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth joins in praise of God and the Lamb, who reign forever. Can you hear the swell of praise? Four creatures → 24 elders → the four creatures and the 24 elders → all the hosts of heaven → every creature in the universe!
When the seals are opened in Revelation 6, the distress and tribulation they represent might make us forget the worship of Revelation 4 and 5, but it shouldn’t. Imagine that you are among the martyrs under the altar of God (Revelation 6:9-11), who have been waiting for God to show up and for justice to be done. For them, even chapter 6 is music to their hearts.
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
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