Thursday, July 20, 2006

Revelation - Worship Him

Around the throne

Rev 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Around the throne of God, John saw twenty-four seats or thrones. Twenty-four elders, believed to be twelve for the patriarchs of the old testament and twelve for the apostles.

Elders represented the people of God, especially in the Old Testament. The 24 courses of the priesthood represented all the priests (1 Chronicles 24), and the 12 tribes and the 12 apostles represent all the faithful. (Guzik)

Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

In Rev 5:8-10, the elders fell down before the Lamb, and worshipped him with harps and song, having with them the prayers of the saints. They were made kings and priests to rule in the Millennium. They represented the glorified, redeemed saints of God who worship continuously before the throne.

They were clothed in white, washed clean by the blood of Jesus and in his righteousness. They were given crowns. They reigned with Christ.

2 Tim 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Lightnings, thundering and voices represent the awesome presence of God. As when Moses met God on Mt. Sinai.

Exo 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

Seven lamps representing the seven spirits of God. Seven being the fulness of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has been described as a dove, gentle spirit, and as cloven flames of fire in Acts 2.

Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Isa 11:2 And 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;

The Holy Spirit is with the redeemed of God, He also surrounds the throne of God. He brings us the wisdom, presence, power and counsel of God.

Rev 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Before the throne, a sea, representing water, of glass in appearance. A crystal clear sea. Perhaps this represents the washing of the word of God. No sin or filth may enter His presence.

John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

In the midst of the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Spiritual creatures, angels with four eyes in front and four behind. These are the cherubim, the angels that surround the throne of God. (Ezekial 1:4-14)

Worship Him

Rev 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

The four creatures, were angels or cherubs. The faces may represent the best of God's creations. The lion is king of the beasts, and also could represent Jesus in the gospel of Matthew; The lion of Judah. The calf, may refer to a strong servant animal or Jesus as the servant as in Mark's gospel. A man is God's highest creation on earth and Jesus was called the son of man in Luke's gospel. The eagle is the greatest of birds and represents the heavenlies, Jesus the Son of God from heaven, as in the gospel of John. The angels gave God glory for all he is and has done.

Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Each creature has many eyes, being able to see the glory of God and to speak of Him in all His glory. They each had six wings, to fly with. Apparently they fly around the throne day and night giving God glory, saying holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Perhaps they mention something different of His glory each time, for His glory has no end. They are the most excellent of the angels. Satan was a glorious angel, until he decided he wanted glory, this caused his fall, taking what belonged only to God. Worship is to God and the Son. The angels give God glory, so shall we.

Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev 4:11 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.

They twenty-four elders representing the redeemed of the creation, who cast their crowns before the king and worship him as well. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for you have created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Jesus shares in this glory.

Rev 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

We shall be like Jesus, as spiritual creations, but never shall we receive worship. We shall worship God and the Son, along with Gods angels. We are heirs with Christ yet we shall be like the angels yet as children of God we are one with Christ.

Mat 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Heb 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

We are redeemed children of God to bring glory, honor and praise to the Father.

Revelation 1 Table of Contents

No comments: