Revelation 4, 5: The Second Facet

Week 4, Sunday: Worship in the highest!
We thought the worship of the Lamb couldn’t get any higher, broader, or more all-engrossing. We were wrong. As this scene and facet draw to a close, worship spreads like a happy virus to infect everything in heaven and on earth, as though worshiping the Lamb were irresistible, the very reason and fulfillment of everything that exists.

If this is the conclusion we draw from this closing scene, then we’re right.

Read Revelation 5

Meditate on Revelation 5.11-14
1.      Notice, in v. 11, the mention of multitudes of all the creatures that seemed, well, rather limited in number heretofore. What is the effect of this on the worship in this situation?

2.      This great multitude takes up yet another stanza in the song, “Worthy is the Lamb!” (v. 12). Explain each of the terms the Lamb is worthy to receive. How does His receiving these affect your worship of Him? How does His living in you affect your outlook on life?

3.      In verse 13 the worship of heaven breaks through the veil, spills out and down, over and through, and catches up everything on earth. Comment on this, in the light of Matthew 6.9, 10, as to what we should be seeking in these last days before our Lord returns.

4.      The elders – all the saints – in heaven now respond (v. 14) to the impact of heaven’s worship on every creature on earth. What does “Amen” mean? What are they affirming by announcing “Amen” together?

5.      What adjectives or phrases would you use to capture the scene and worship we have observed in Revelation 4 and 5? And still, to this point in this “service of worship”, the Word of God has not been opened! Do you see in this picture any implications or suggestions for your own worship? For the worship of your church? For your time preparing to open the Word of God each day?

My Reflection
How do Revelation 4 and 5 lead you to think about your own worship of God? How complete is your worship? How much do you put into it? What do you gain from it? When do you worship? Using what components or elements?

The Glory of God
The glory of God cannot be contained to the courts of heaven. That much is clear from Revelation 4 and 5. All creation is to be caught up in the glory of God and the achievement of the Lamb, and even then, His glory will flow back up to heaven to His glorious throne. Meditate on Habakkuk 2.14. What does “cover the earth” mean in your own personal sphere of influence?

Glory to Glory
This week talk with some other believers about what you’re learning from Revelation 4 and 5 concerning worship. Ask them about their approach to and experience of worship. How can you help one another bring your worship more into line with the worship you see revealed in these two chapters? What can you begin to do each day in order to prepare more worshipfully for the opening of the Word of God?

Memorize
Today, share your memory verse for this week (Revelation 4.11) with a Christian friend, and briefly explain what you have learned about this verse.

Closing Prayer
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!
For He has done marvelous things;
His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.
The LORD has made known His salvation;
His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth;
Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.

Psalm 98.1-4

Lord, make me a “worship leader” for such worship today!

T. M. Moore

The book of Revelation is the culminating episode in the story of God’s covenant. To learn more about that covenant, and to discover the way it integrates all of Scripture into the Gospel of Jesus Christ, order a copy of T. M.’s book, I Will Be Your God, by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.