Holy, Holy, Holy

Revelation 4

“The more I study nature, the more I am amazed at the Creator.” Louis Pasteur

God will one day open the door, the trumpet will sound, and God’s people will be called to heaven.

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thess. 4:13–18
 
Meanwhile, we must take advantage of the open door of service that He gives us.
 
“I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Revelation 3:8
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“After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and there was a throne in heaven and someone was seated on it. 3 The one seated there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white clothes, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 Flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. 6 Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne.” Revelation 4:1-6

Revelation is not only a book of the door, but also the book of the throne. John saw God the Father on the throne and was so overwhelmed that he had to refer to precious stones to describe what he beheld. Satan may have his throne on earth, but God’s throne in heaven rules over all and will not be defeated.
 
Dr. Tony Evans shares that “Twenty-four has special significance in Scripture, pointing to people who stand out as spiritual leaders like the twenty-four priestly divisions among Aaron’s descendants. These elders are believers who have overcome during the church age and are ruling with Christ.”
 
Another image that resonates throughout scripture is the rainbow.  The rainbow is sometimes used for things other than the things of God, but here, like in the book of Genesis, the rainbow in all its beauty represents the presence of God and a covenant to never destroy the Earth by a flood again. 
 
 “I establish my covenant with you that never again will every creature be wiped out by floodwaters; there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all future generations: 13 I have placed my bow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the bow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all the living creatures: water will never again become a flood to destroy every creature. 16 The bow will be in the clouds, and I will look at it and remember the permanent covenant between God and all the living creatures on earth.” 17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and every creature on earth.” Genesis 9:11–17
 
Today, this emerald rainbow was around the throne, a complete circle and not just an arc. It pictures the grace of God.
 
On earth, we see the rainbow after the storm; but John saw it before the storm of judgment came. God gives followers of Jesus, His people, His gracious promise, and we need not fear the coming storm.
 
“and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” 1 Thessalonians 1:10;
 
“But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
 
“Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were around the throne on each side. 7 The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like an ox; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying,
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God, the Almighty,
who was, who is, and who is to come.
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne and say,
11 Our Lord and God,
you are worthy to receive
glory and honor and power,
because you have created all things,
and by your will
they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:6-11
 
The living creatures represent creation praising the Creator as a Choir. (Gen. 1:28–31), and the elders represent God’s people worshiping Him. Warren Wiersbe states in his With the Word Bible Commentary, “When you lose the wonder of the Creator, you cease to become a good steward of the creation.” All of creation praises the Lord while sinful man praises himself and ignores his Creator.
 
Dr. Tony Evans writes, “The appearances of the four living creatures may symbolize the portraits of Jesus in the four Gospels. In Matthew, Jesus is King of the Jews, represented by a regal lion. In Mark, he is a servant, represented by an ox—a beast of burden. In Luke, he is the Son of Man, represented by the face of a man. And in John, he is the Son of God who gives eternal life, represented by a majestic eagle... In Isaiah 6:2–3, each creature covered its face with two wings, its feet with two wings, and flew with two. They called to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies; his glory fills the whole earth.”

Who is it that you are praising? What are you giving attention to that seem greater than God? Does your calendar, schedule, and checkbook reveal you love and praise of Jesus or self?  Do you worship the creation more than the Creator? Are you encouraged by His return? 
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Today, join me in singing “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come.”
 
“Thus does the world forget You, its Creator, and falls in love with what You have created instead of with You.”Augustine

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