Lord's Day Devotion - Worthy of Worship - Part 1

 Lord, help us to see more clearly who You are and what You have done for us.  We want to be able to worship You more fully.  You are worthy of worship and praise, but it's good for us to undersatnd more of why.  In Your name we ask, Amen.

Take time to listen to (& sing along) this song of worship and praise:  Worthy of Worship, Worthy of Praise, along with Lifeway Traditional.

When you think of worship, what images come to your mind?  Is it people bowing down to idols?  Or, is it people standing, even raising their arms in praise as they sing praise?  Or is it something else in your mind?

When we read Revelation 4 we see through John's eyes, the styles of worship he observed.  I read Revelation 4 & 5 in both the ESV and the KJV.  In this instance I found the KJV more expressive and therefore felt I could 'see' what John saw more readily.  Just saying ...

He saw a door to heaven open.  He heard a voice like a trumpet sound.  He saw breathtaking, awesome beauty.  There was a throne with

 "one sitting on it that looked like jasper".  

There were blood-red gemstones known as sardine stones.  Oh, and jasper stones come in a variety of colors such as red, yellow, brown, green and blue - multi-colored with swirly patterns, bands or speckles (according to AI Overview).  On top of those was a rainbow and emerald colors.  There was lightning and thunder coming from the throne and in front of the throne was

"a sea of glass like unto crystal" .

If we have crystal chandeliers we feel, "Wow!".  Imagine a whole sea of it!  The reflections upon it from all the kaleidoscope of colors upon this 'sea' must have been beyond magnificent!  Are you getting an amazing picture of this heavenly beauty?

John saw 24 elders on 24 seats.  Incidently, I read recently that they are representative of all of us who are redeemed by the blood of Christ.  They were clothed in white garments and gold crowns.  Hold this thought of the gold crowns, for later.

Seeing the four flying beasts would have been somewhat unsettling for me.  They were full of eyes and then their heads or faces were different from the next one.  There was one that looked like a lion, another like a calf.  One had the face of a man while the fourth was like a flying eagle.  Each of them had six wings.  I doubt many of us have ever encountered such beings in our lifetime.

But there they were giving praise and worship to the One on the throne, as John recorded.  They did so day and night!  This in turn sparked off the 24 elders to offer their worship to the throned One as well.  They even cast down their crowns in acknowledgement that the One on the throne was greater than they and it was He who was worthy of the worship and praise.

It is significant to note that the focal point of the heavenly scene was the throne and more specifically the One who sat upon it.  All the beauty put aside, the most important aspect was HE.  He was and is the One to worship.  He is the One worthy of worship and praise.  God's holy character, His position and authority deem Him the One worthy to be worshippped and praised.

Next on stage, John saw some other activity (Read Revelation 5).  There's a mighty angel-proclaimer looking for someone to open the scroll and break the seals.  Alas, there didn't seem to be anyone worthy to do so.

Ever see a grown man cry?  John cried.  But then one of the elders told him not to.  I like to think the angel patted John on the shoulder and said, "There, there John.  No need to weep, someone has indeed been found to open the scroll and seals."

So John dries his eyes, sees the Lamb take the scroll from the One seated on the throne.  Glory be!  Perhaps, John blinks a few times to clear the tears then goes on to describe Jesus.  He sees Jesus as both a Lion and a Lamb.

As the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" we can see Who He is.  He is King and Head of  Judah.  He is strength and power.  He is almighty God.

As "a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain" we see what Jesus has done for us.  He is the One who had been sacrificed to redeem us.  He is Jesus our Savior.

He is the One who redeemed us to God by His blood.  The "us" meaning people from every "kindred, tongue, people and nation."  He made us kings and priests so we can reign with Him on the earth.

As those who worshippped and sang praise in the heavenly scene, let's join our voices and pause now to sing,

"Thou Art Worthy" O Lord, to receive glory, glory and honor, along with Blood Covenant.

Bow down your hearts and minds now and even your whole body.  Worship Him for Who He is and what He has done for us.  Cast down all your crowns.  Acknowledge He alone is worthy of all praise.  He alone is the Holy One.

Sing, Cry Holy - We Fall Down, along with Chris Tomlin.

Then remember Him in His death and resurrection glory this Lord's Day by partaking of the broken bread and drinking of the cup of wine.  Do this until He comes.

Indeed, Lord, You are worthy of all worship and praise.  You alone are Holy.  Amen.

                                                      ~ERC  February 2025 ~

Based on Revelation 4-5 KJV.  Also the study guide, Christian Disciplines - Lesson 10 - Worship - Life Builder Bible Study - Christian Character.

Sing the songs as indicated throughout the devotion above.