Vision of Worship

Revelation 4 (TNIV)

1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 45 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits  of God. 6 Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.

    In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

       " 'Holy, holy, holy

       is the Lord God Almighty,'

       who was, and is, and is to come."

    9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

    11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God,

       to receive glory and honor and power,

       for you created all things,

       and by your will they were created

       and have their being."

Central Theme in John's Worship Vision

It's all about God and what Has done  (not us and what we have or have not done)

The might act of God that was central to Old Testament believers was the exodus, for the Christian, it is the cross.  This is what we celebrate, and this is what shapes our lives - all aspects of them - all the time.

Other texts that give us insight into worship (and which form the roots out of which John's vision takes root):  If you would like to reflect further, this is a good place to start.

• Psalm 78:9-15

• 2 Chronicles 20:1-22

What is the picture that comes to your mind when you think of Worship?  Several of these were explored through short drama sketches, highlighting the variety of textures and perceptions that often shape our mental images, before Jon Paulien invited us to explore the picture that is painted for us in the Book of Revelation - the picture of worship entrusted to John.Over the course of the past 2,000 years, the Book of Revelation has conjured up all kinds of images and feelings among its readers, but perhaps the most central theme is the one that is too often overlooked.  It is truly "the revelation of Jesus Christ," and it is Jesus that is the focus of the book - and the focus of our worship.  Nowhere is this any more powerfully portrayed than in the book of Revelation.  You can glimpse this in the awesome imagery of Revelation 4 - the worship scene around the throne - the text to the right.  We hope you will take some unhurried time to simply enter into that scene and be caught up in what constantly engages the rest of the universe - and which, perhaps, should engage us much more fully as well.

Worship.  It this something that we just do in our spare time when we take a break from the realities of life - or in a devotional moment?  Or is it what is actually at the heart of everything we do, and the ways that we are called to respond to everything - both the good stuff for which we return thanks, and even in the midst of things when things seem to be coming unraveled all around us?  Can worship really be a way of life - and that is still the appropriate response in either case?  Is it possible that even in the face of horrible evil seemingly set loose in the world, the appropriate response is still worship?  In a post 9/11 world, do God's people still have the courage to make worship central, or have we turned to other things?  Could the remnant be those who do not forget worship in the midst of all else that happens in the midst of the book?  (i.e. Revelation 4 & 5 worship, not Revelation 13 worship)?    Something to think about. 

If you would like to listen once again to what Dr. Paulien had to share (or perhaps listen to it for the first time) you can click here to access our sermon library.