Revelation 4 : Who is Worthy of Worship?
Revelation 4 <Who is Worthy of Worship?>
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."
◇ John witnessed the heavenly throne through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He vividly describes the throne room of heaven that he beheld.
The One seated on the throne is beautiful as precious stones and radiates majesty. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders seated on their own thrones, clothed in white and wearing golden crowns. Before the throne, seven lamps are burning. There is also a sea of glass before the throne, and four living creatures (like a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle) covered with eyes front and back. Each of the four living creatures has six wings, and their wings are full of eyes all around and within.
From verse 8b, John describes the twenty-four elders and four living creatures worshiping God. The four living creatures bow before the One seated on the throne, declaring His holiness. The twenty-four elders remove their golden crowns and lay them before the throne, falling down in worship as they praise God's glory, His creation, and His sovereignty over the world.
Though John describes many mysterious scenes, the most crucial question is this: Who is the One that all these beings worship and praise?
At that time, Emperor Domitian declared himself a god and commanded all peoples of the empire to worship and praise him. John was exiled to the island of Patmos for refusing to comply with this command. Many Christians were tortured, imprisoned, and killed. John seeks to reveal to these Christians who truly deserves worship and praise, and to reassure them that they are doing what is right.
What thoughts might cross your mind if you were suffering for refusing to bow before the emperor and worshiping God alone, while others lived peacefully by bowing to the emperor, worshiping their various gods, or even attending church to worship God without facing persecution? Might you wonder, "Am I doing something wrong? Are those who bow to the emperor the ones who are right?"
John is revealing the answers to these questions: Who is the Creator? Who is the eternal Being? Who is the One who offers ultimate hope? Who is worthy of worship?
♧ God, You who are worthy of all worship, help me to offer You praise and worship always and everywhere, in every circumstance. Holy Spirit, make me strong and bold. Amen.