Are You Ready to Worship?

As in all of Scripture, the best way to understand a passage is to look, first, at the immediate context—the verses before and after the passage. Next, we look at the passage in view of its surrounding context—the chapters all around it, plus the book within which the passage is found. Then, we look at the biblical context—how does the entire Bible help in the understanding of this passage.

I need to also give a disclaimer in that there is so much in this chapter, that I could take 2-3 Sundays to try and deal with every area. However, I’ve chosen to keep it focused on worship, with a bit of extra explanations.

Keeping that in mind, let’s look at where chapter four fits, in the unfolding of the book of Revelation. Towards the very beginning of this series, I shared how Revelation 1.19 actually serves as a rough outline of the entire book.

The first part describes what was. Write, therefore, what you have seen. This is chapter 1 of Revelation.

The next section is found in chapters 2-3, which we’ve just finished. . . . the things which are . . . This is dealing with what is, specifically in John’s time.

The last section covers chapters 4 through 22. This is referring to the future, what is to come . . . the things which will take place after these things. That is where we’ll be looking at today and for several weeks.

Something else which we would do well to notice is that John did not use the word church after chapter 3, until we arrive at chapter 22.16. In chapters 20 and 21, there is allusion to the church as the bride and those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Why is this important? Based on other places in the Bible and its teachings, we can assume that Christ will have raptured the church somewhere between chapters three and four. In other words, the church is not involved in the tribulation. There are other reasons which we can glean from other Scriptures.

For one thing, it is important to understand that Christ took the judgment for our sin at the cross. There is no need for further punishment for our sins. If, in fact, there would be a need for further punishment, then Christ’s death is not sufficient; it is not enough. If that would be the case, then the very Bible, the Word of God, is completely suspect and not to be trusted.

You will see that Christ uses the tribulation period for punishment upon unbelievers, both Gentile and Jew. It is not for the followers of Jesus Christ. I understand that the church will go through persecution, which is a form of tribulation. After all, Jesus warned His followers of this. Nevertheless, Christians should not mistake persecution as being the great tribulation period spoken of in Revelation or other portions of Scripture.

There is a familiar Mother Goose rhyme which goes like this:

Pussy cat, Pussy cat, Where have you been?

I’ve been to London to visit the queen.

Pussy cat, Pussy cat, what did you there?

I frightened a little mouse under the chair.

Some of us find ourselves amused that this cat must have had ADHD, missing out on engaging the queen and doing something important. Yet, like that cat, Christians can sometimes focus on minute, unimportant details—chasing mice, if you will. Meantime, we ought to take advantage of the opportunity to spend time with true royalty, the King of Kings.

We cannot just remain content with the spiritual minimum daily requirements. We need to deepen our relationship with God and grow into maturity, so that we can truly have an impact on the unsaved, who are all around us.

I believe chapter four helps us to see what is truly important.

As Christians, we must deepen our relationship with Christ, so we are better able to worship Him.

Worship Requires We See Christ’s Glory.

Revelation 4:1–3 (NASB95)

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.

John had just finished seven letters to seven churches. In this chapter, in finds himself brought into an incredibly holy place. Even in the last part of verse 1, we see that this is in the future, as John is told, I will show you what must take place after these things.

John finds himself supernaturally transported in a vision to a place where there was a throne. The only other individual who had been blessed to see the third heaven, was Paul, as he described his experience. By the use of the word behold, we see that John was pretty amazed. John explains his amazement by telling about what he saw; the individual on the throne, as he searched for adequate words to describe this individual. Jesus is sitting, not because redemption’s work has been completed; He is sitting as a ruler who is about to enact judgment.

John talks of precious stones to describe the person and surroundings. The jasper stone was clear like a diamond. More than likely, this represented holiness and purity. The carnelian or sardius was a ruby-red stone. This may have been linked to the sacrificial death. But there is also the fact that the jasper and sardius were the first and last stones on the high priest’s breastplate.

Then John describes a rainbow which surrounded the throne, as a truly complete rainbow. We go back in our minds to the introduction of the rainbow with Noah, as it was a reminder of God’s faithfulness, grace, and mercy. We also see that green seemed to be the dominant coloring.

Church, we need to see Christ in His glory. We need to recognize that He is altogether pure and holy. We need to also remember that even in His purity and holiness, He became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God, as the Bible tells us. Then we pause and reflect on the fact that in spite of our failures, He is always faithful. Even as we are not always faithful to Him, He is always faithful for us.

Worship Requires We See Christ’s Grace.

Revelation 4:4–6 (NASB95)

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.

We understand clearly now that this person is Christ. We also see that He is not alone, as there are 24 other thrones surrounding Him, with 24 elders. Who, exactly, are these 24 elders? I’m going to tell you that I don’t believe we can truly know specifically. They are not angels, as some have suggested, for angels are never pictured sitting on thrones, nor do we read about them ruling. Plus, the term elders is never used in the Bible to refer to angels. We do see that every time we see them, they are with the four living creatures. Plus, we find them always involved in worship.

Verse 4 states they were clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. In other words, they were clothed in the righteousness of Christ, not some ordinary clothes, much less not in filthy rags. These crowns were victors’ crowns. They would be the same kind of crown given to the saints for their acts of service. Crowns were never promised to angels.

Many theologians believe these 24 elders represent the church which has been raptured. Later, they’ll be singing a song of redemption in chapter 5.

In addition, there is quite an audio-visual display taking place. There is the reminder of the seven lamps, showing the Holy Spirit in God’s presence. In addition, we see before the throne that there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. Since there is no actual sea in heaven, this could very easily have been a vast pavement type area that shone like crystal.

We might wonder about the significance of these descriptions. Remember earlier when we talked of Christ’s absolute holiness and purity? Well, consider what our destiny would be if our eternal inheritance was based upon what we did. All of the good we could or would do would have absolutely no value. Our clothes would be filthy rags. All of the deeds we might do would be done for religious purposes only.

Yet, because of Christ’s grace, He clothes us in pure white clothes of righteousness. The deeds we do are in worship and praise and love for Christ. And that will merit for us the same crowns. And we remember that the One Who enables us to live for Christ is the Holy Spirit.

The title of the message comes out again—are you ready for worship? If your relationship with Jesus Christ is genuine and real, you ought to be. However, a shallow, take for granted relationship will not bring any of us closer to worship. As we recognize the incredible mercy and grace provided us, we find ourselves humbled and in awe. We want to worship our dear Savior.

We are then introduced to the four living creatures. This should more accurately be translated four living ones.

Worship Requires We See Christ Glorified.

Revelation 4:7–11 (NASB95)

The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

Going back, next to the throne, surrounding it was four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.

The first was like a lion . . ., showing the attributes of a king.

The second creature like a calf . . ., showing the attribute of a servant. Several translations use the word ox instead of calf.

The third creature had a face like that of a man . . ., showing humanity.

The fourth creature was like a flying eagle, showing that He was the Son of God.

But wait; there’s more. If you recall from an overview of the New Testament, the gospels in particular, there’s a further parallel. The gospels present a history of the life of Jesus while on this earth as Immanuel, God with us. Matthew presents Christ as the Messiah, the King of the Jews. This is seen in the first creature.

Mark presents Jesus as the suffering servant. This is seen with the second creature.

Luke focuses on the theme that Jesus was fully man, presenting Christ’s humanity. This is seen with the third creature.

John takes great care to prove that Jesus Christ is the Son of God in his gospel. This is seen in the fourth creature.

I don’t think it is necessary to fixate on this, but I took time to point this out because this provides even more evidence of the unity of the Bible.

What did these four creatures specifically do? Verse 8 tells us that they continually, day and night, worshipped and praised God. They spend eternity adoring Jesus Christ. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, Who was and Who is and Who is to come. To the reader at that time, and in Hebrew writings, when a word is stated twice, that gives emphasis to the word. But, when a word is stated three time, the word actually becomes superlative. In other words, we might think of it as holy, holier, holiest. There is an immeasurable, infinite holiness found in Christ. I believe this is important for us to keep in mind as we prepare to look at some horrible judgments and punishment in the future. For sin has no place in the absolute holy presence of God. It is also helpful, even now, to consider this truth in the time in which we are living. When others might want us to doubt God as they look around and point out the horrific things which happen, sometimes seemingly unfair, other times extremely harsh; we must remember that God is holy, holier, holiest.

What happens when those four creatures do this day and night? Verse 9 points out that they give glory and honor and thanks to Him Who sits on the throne, to Him Who lives forever and ever. Verse 10 shows that the 24 elders are prompted to do the same. Yet, they don’t stop at this, but they physically show their worship and adoration. They fall down before Him Who sits on the throne. Wait. It continues. What they received as rewards for serving Jesus, they recognize that their works were enabled by His power. So, they will cast their crowns before the throne. They recognize that Christ alone is worthy of worship. He is the creator and sustainer. He is all in all for all the world. This is seen in verse 11.

As you read this, you get the idea that their worship is not quiet and reflective. There seems to be some intensity in their worship as they fall down and give marvelous praise to Christ.

Conclusion

How are we doing in our worship, whether it’s as a body of believers, or just an individual follower of Jesus Christ?

Do we approach God with an arrogant attitude? Do we approach Him in awe?

Is our time we spend with Jesus one more appointment we need to keep? Or are we willing to take whatever time needed to get to know Him fully?

Worship must be biblical and orderly, according to the Scriptures. Yet, are we able to allow each other to worship Christ in the way that is most personal to each one? For example, can someone heartily sing the hymn, Holy, holy, holy; Lord God Almighty? Can they do it without being looked down on by others?

Would we also be able to allow someone else to sing, Holy, holy. Holy, holy. Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. As we lift our hearts before you as a token of our love. Holy, holy. Holy holy.? Is worship more or less meaningful to the Lord, just because someone else might do it differently?

What about time? The nerd in me came out as I was thinking about worshipping all day and night. Without considering the fact that there will be no time in eternity, let’s consider the following from our earthbound perspective. There are 168 hours in a week. Some only spend one hour per week in worship in the body of believers. That is less than 3/4 of one percent of time spent in worship. However, we want to believe that we are intentionally involved in worship individually throughout the week. There have been some studies that have found that the average Christian spends about 10 minutes per day in worship which is intentional. Wow! That just pushed the amount of time intentionally worshipping the Lord to 1% or better.

You might be wondering as to why I’m spending time focusing on this little time aspect of worship and praise to God. Well, if this is any indication of what you and I, who claim Christ as our Lord and Savior, are going to spend eternity doing, shouldn’t we be getting more practice time here on this earth?

I believe we can be quite intentional in our worship while we are doing anything, whether it be our job, our home activities, our recreation. We can make certain that we are giving God glory and praise in the midst of anything and everything that we are doing.

As Christians, we must deepen our relationship with Christ, so we are better able to worship Him.

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