Chapter four of Revelation gives us insight into the scene around God’s throne. John says, “immediately he was in the Ruach (Spirit)” and he began to see this eternal reality and scene of worship around God’s throne! Look at what John sees:
“The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes all around and within. They do not rest day or night, chanting,
‘Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh
Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot,
asher haya v’hoveh v’yavo!
Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God of Hosts,
who was and who is
and who is to come!’
And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the One seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. And they throw their crowns down before the throne, chanting,
‘Worthy are You, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
For You created all things,
and because of Your will
they existed and were created!’”
—Revelation 4:8-11 TLV
What an incredible reality and scene! John says the angels and elders around God’s throne never cease to say that He is Holy, the elders submit to His authority by casting their crowns, and then they proclaim His sovereign rule over all things. I think that we can find hope and ways to overcome difficulty in this life by following the above passage.
If you find yourself with anxiety, fear or uncertainty during these times then follow the example above! Let’s focus our minds on Him so that we can praise and proclaim His holiness even in trying times.
Now take some time to carefully reflect on the questions below and journal your answers.
For the past nine weeks, as the coronavirus upended the world with fear, stay-at-home mandates, financial loss and isolation, we’ve turned to Scripture for the hope we each need to endure rough times.
Ancient Israel had a hope: to return to the Land God had promised to give her. Yet, she had been in exile in Babylon for so long that I’m sure the hope of many began to wane, if not completely disappear.
Our God is the Master Composer. The intricacies He has purposefully arranged on His grand scale of time are often indistinguishable to the human ear, unless we strain to hear. As we journey through the story of Ezra-Nehemiah in the days ahead, listen in for a pattern, a 3-part harmony, as God composes another movement in His song through the mouths of His prophets. See if you can make out the sounds.
The words God gave to His prophets often told about events in the current time, near future and a time even further in the future. They are always pointing us forward, but what were they pointing us forward to?
