Chapters 4 and 5 in the Book of Revelation contain insights into the kind of worship that is due to God. I am devoting two days of blog articles to encourage readers to try to imitate the worship that takes place in heaven.
Yesterday’s article describes the worship that is due to the Lamb of God. The focus of today’s blog highlights what God has done for us and why he is worthy of praise, worship, and gratitude.
Privilege and Responsibility
It is an awesome privilege to be chosen by God to be a member of his kingdom. It is also a serious responsibility, as the Hebrew nation learned.
“Now, therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine,
“But you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation” (Exodus 19.5-6).
As we engage in the worship of heaven, we are reminded that like the Hebrews we, too, are part of God’s priestly kingdom.
“You have made them a kingdom and priests serving our God,
and they will reign on earth.” (Revelation 5.10)
We are part of a kingdom that is not of this world. We represent the King of all kings as his priests.
Our expression of worship includes gratitude for God’s grace. It also involves our willingness to serve other people as God’s representatives.
Praise to the Lamb
The heavenly host erupted in a seven-fold ascription of praise to the Lamb.
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5.11-12)
If we meditate on each of the declarations of praise, it will enhance our experience of heavenly worship.
Not only does heaven offer praise and worship to our Lord and Savior, but all the earth will also sing his praise.
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them, singing,
“To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might
forever and ever!”
And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped (Revelation 5.13-14).
The best way to appreciate this great passage of Scripture is to imitate it in our private times of worship. Try following the lead of the heavenly host and see what God does with you.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It can be found on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 