Worshipping God Alone
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Key Verse: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Selected Scripture: |
WHEN WE CONSIDER THE majesty of our Heavenly Father, perhaps we remember the words from Psalm 8, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” Do we marvel at the wonders of his creation, and of the greatness of his plans and purposes? Our Lord is a faithful father, “even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” (Ps. 90:2) With the eye of faith we know that he is working out his plan with great deliberation, and that he is unchangeable, the same yesterday, today, and forever.—Heb. 13:8
In the Book of Revelation, John personally symbolizes the beloved disciples—the faithful in the church, the “little flock” (Luke 12:32)—who have the spirit of Christ, and can see the Truth. They also possess the ear of faith as a special favor from God to those who are of a meek and honest heart, desiring Truth and righteousness. “Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” (Matt. 13:16) It is certainly a great privilege to ‘hear’ and to ‘see,’ and to know the will of the Father. God’s work in the present time is not the conversion of the world, but the taking out of the world a people for his name, to bear the name of Christ as his bride. A blessing in life, that is now available to his faithful ones, comes to them in the form of peace and joy which they never knew before, and which the world cannot give nor take away.—John 14:27; 16:33
John’s vision then, as described in our text, shows events as seen by those who have the Holy Spirit of understanding. He looks and sees that “a door was opened in heaven,” and “a throne was set in heaven.” (Rev. 4:1,2) This “throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev. 22:1), is not a material one, but refers to his supreme authority and rulership. The throne was established first, and would become the centerpiece around which the church will gather, until all the faithful ones are made jewels for his kingdom. We also read, “He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone.” (Rev. 4:3) This is supposed to mean a diamond, which is described as the most precious and “clear as crystal.” (Rev. 21:11) Since this is the most brilliant of all gems it fittingly symbolizes the glory of God. The ‘sardine stone,’ which is a red colored stone, represents God’s love, an important part of God’s character. (I John 4:7,16) John also hears “four beasts” (Rev. 4:6)—Cherubim, or living ones (Gen. 3:24)—“give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne.” (vs. 9) These would personify the attributes of God—his power, wisdom, justice, and love.
When we can hear the power, wisdom, justice, and love of God proclaiming in perfect harmony the glory and honor of our Father, then his praises will ring out as never before. This will result in the restitution of all things, as promised in the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 15:18), and under the dominion of him who “shall be a priest upon his throne.” (Zech. 6:13) The whole creation will join in thanksgiving and praise to the Father. “Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”—Rev. 5:13