Continuous worship surrounds the throne room of God, Book of Revelation

Bible End Times Prophecy – Week 36

Continuous worship surrounds the throne room of God

Revelation, Chapter 4

The seven-fold Spirit of God illustration.

We ended the previous chapter of Revelation with the letters from Jesus to the seven churches. Now, we begin to see some really intriguing and spectacular events in Chapter 4:1-11:

1 “Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.”

 ² And instantly I was in the Spirit, [1] and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. ³ The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.

 ⁴ Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. ⁵ From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames.

This is the seven-fold Spirit of God. [2] ⁶ In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.

In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. ⁷ The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.

⁸ Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
    the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

⁹ Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever),

¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,

¹¹ “You are worthy, O Lord our God,
    to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
    and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Commentary

It is clear from the scene that John was allowed to witness that worship is an integral part of heaven. For that reason alone, we ought to learn to incorporate worship and praise in our devotional time with the Lord and take a more active part in our church worship services.

We should also learn not to skip the worship phase of the service.

When I was a younger Christian, I thought that the meat or important part of a church service was the sermon, the pastor’s message. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Like one of my pastors once said, worship and praise are not filler material. 

Some people have experienced miracles during anointed praise and worship music. I was healed once – without seeking it – during the praise and worship part of a service at a church. The choir under its choir director had a special unction (anointing), or so it seemed. I’ve told others about this. Before that, I experienced a healing after listening to songs from a gospel music album.

On a different occasion, many years ago, I walked over to a chapel on a military post at night – mainly to get away from the barracks for a while- and ran into two of my Christian brothers from the post fellowship group.

The chapel was empty, and we were seated inside near the entrance. The front doors remained wide open. Then, spontaneously, we started worshiping and praising the Lord. We had no music, but we were on our knees praising Him. We are not asking Him for anything.

Then, all of a sudden, the three of us felt something similar to a light electric current which flowed from the top of our heads to the soles of our feet. We were filled to the brim with the joy of the Lord, and this only prompted us to praise and worship Him even more. I will never forget that night I shared with my two brothers in the Lord. 

Psalm 100:4 (NKJV) tells us that we approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving:

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” 

Note, “thanksgiving” takes us to the gates, and “praise” takes us even closer, to the inner court.

I’ve watched people at church services that tend to close up or freeze during the praise and worship part of the service. Some of them worship quietly within themselves, that’s what they say …. We better get used to worship and praise because this goes on in heaven 24/7. When I see the Lord, I promise you that I will probably fall on my face and worship Him. Then, I will join the rush of people that will run to see Him and to get as close to Him as possible. He is too holy and glorious to behold; yet, you and I will be there! 

Psalm 134:1-2 alludes to those who “stand by night” in the house of the Lord.” 

1 Come bless the Lord,
all you servants of the Lord
who stand by night in the house of the Lord

² Lift up your hands in the holy place
and bless the Lord!

You know what? King David assigned choirs and musicians to praise and worship in the Tabernacle of the Lord around the clock. Hence, the reference in the psalm to the "night shift" of worship and praise! While this was done – for 40 years – after David’s war years were over – Jerusalem experienced the Lord’s shalom (peace). See the connection?

[We should "seek after" experiences. The enemy of our souls can use such a mindset to mislead and deceive us. I merely described what happened unexpectedly.]

Follow the links to recommended music and Bible translations:

“The Revelation Song” interpreted beautifully by Charlotte Ritchie. The lyrics were inspired by Chapter 4 of the Book of Revelation. The Revelation Song

Song inspired by Psalm Psalm 134 song

Look up Bible books and verses in Bible translations online

Notes

[1] The apostle John had to be transformed temporarily so he could see into the spiritual realm. Remember, he was still in his human body when he received the visions of Revelation.

[2] Isaiah 11:2-3 (NKJ) also refers to the “seven-fold Spirit of God,” also known as the seven-fold ministry of God:

“ 2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

³ His delight is in the fear of the Lord,
And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,
Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;

Pause and respond

If you know Jesus, then you too can lead a victorious life

John 15:4 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”

1 John 2:16 (NIV) – “For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world.

1 John 2:16 (NLT) – “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”

If you do not know Jesus Christ, the Savior, then you must be born again

The sinless Jesus Christ took on the sins of the world AND the punishment for those sins so that we could be saved. Today, if you do not know Jesus, receive His free offer of salvation and put all your trust in Him. He will fill you with His Spirit.

John 1:29 (NLT) – “The next day he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

2 Corinthians 6:2 – 

“ For God says,

“At just the right time, I heard you.
    On the day of salvation, I helped you.”

Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”

Acts 2:38 (NLT) – “Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Shalom

Faith Today Christian Ministries

Exalting the name of Jesus!