JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE THRONE ROOM
Revelation 4:8-11 NKJV
The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
“Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
“You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.”
Okay, the title of this devotional was definitely tongue-in-cheek. This experience had to be mind-boggling for John. Seeing the four creatures with appearances as a lion, calf, man, and eagle. Our God is amazingly creative. He set a plan in place for billions of people to be born, and no two are exactly alike. Looking at the animal and plant kingdoms with the color and variety. Who but an amazing God could come up with this? And some people think it was all a cosmic accident. Nope, it was the God who created all things, and by His will, they exist.
So, we see amazing creativity around the throne. We also see a great amount of praise and worship. The four creatures are constantly glorifying God for His holiness, power, and eternal nature. They are giving glory and honor and thanks to God. And then the 24 elders jump in. I do not know who these guys are, but they are on 24 thrones, they are wearing white robes, and they have gold crowns on their heads. Shoot me an email if you think you know who the elders are. I can think of the 12 apostles of the Lamb, but who are the other guys? Spoiler alert: I am a self-professed non-expert on the book of Revelation. But these elders also worship God and throw their crowns before the throne. No one holds onto their crown. The crowns came from God and He is worthy to receive the best that we have. The elders are praising and worshipping God, acknowledging that He is worthy to receive glory, honor, and power because He created all things.
APPLICATION
The big takeaway for me reading this passage is the honor and reverence that exists in the throne room of God. I sense it’s much different from an old man in a white robe. This is a place of awe and wonder. There are thunders, lightnings, voices, and a rainbow above the throne. And a sea of glass, like crystal. This place is colorful and jaw-dropping. Not a place for anything subpar or casual. This will be above what we can imagine, but we can learn. We can learn that God is far bigger and greater than anyone or anything here on earth. We can learn that He deserves our praise and honor before we get to the throne room. He is worthy, and holy, and mighty and deserves all our obedience and respect.
What I take away from this chapter is how awesome God is, and yet He loves us and calls us His children. And we can come before His presence as people who belong. But come with reverence, for He alone is worthy.
PRAYER
Dear Father, forgive me if I have treated You too casually. You are the God who created all things, including me, and You are worthy of my praise and honor and obedience. Thank You for being as big and awesome as You are, yet still caring for me.