Living Creature

“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.” Revelation 4:11
 
I often wonder if we really understand that we are in the presence of the one and only true God. I say that because we seem to approach him so casually, even capricious, I’m amazed at our attitude when speaking to Him who “created all things,” and through whom all things have their being? I understand God opened the way to himself through the work of Jesus. I understand that the curtain is torn and we may enter in anytime and with boldness. However, I also understand His power and holiness. I read all the accounts of those who are in His presence and they become overwhelmed and humbled by Him. In fact, when we know the God who is, our first reaction is to hide from the awfulness of His presence. We want to see the face of God, until the presence of His glory draws near. Then, we want Him to hide us in the cleft of a rock. His presence is like peals of thunder and the fierce winds of a violent storm, and we reconsider the foolishness of our whim to see Him. He is a holy God. Not only holy—but holy, holy, holy. “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come’” (Revelation 4:8).
 
Let us learn from John’s account of his glimpse into heaven where one hundred million loyal angels will encircle the throne of God and sing in a loud voice, “‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” (Revelation 5:12). The four living creatures, those beings allowed closest to His throne say, “Holy, holy, holy.” The elders who sit on the twenty-four thrones which surround the throne cry out, “You are worthy.” After that “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them” will sing, “‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13).
You and I will be a part of the “every creature.” Let us reconsider who God is—His power, His wealth, His wisdom, His glory, His honor, His praise. Let us take our cue from the living creatures, the elders, and the angels. Let us not approach the God who is holy, holy, holy with unthinking casualness. Let us come into His presence with praise and thanksgiving, but also in sober recognition that we are in the presence of the Holy. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence.” (Hebrews 4:16), but with the bearing and respect we would show to the One whose identity we have learned: the God who is, who created all things, in whom we have our being. When you come to meet with God enter into the presence of the God with the respect and honor and praise He is due.

 

In His Service,
Eric Barnes


One Response to “Living Creature”

  1. Michael Kingery says:

    Very insightful Pastor Barnes, very insightful indeed!

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