Revelation 5:11-14 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in Heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
 
IT is praise time in Heaven! First, the elders sang, “You are worthy.” (verse 9). Now 100 million angels join the 24 elders to echo the praise, “Worthy is the lamb.”  Wow! What a sound to behold. I wonder how many times they repeated this praise chorus? Then the worship congregation grows even larger! Joining the 100 million angels is every creature in Heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them. God’s entire creation is united in song.
   And what did they sing? They describe the traits the Father gave to the Son: Power and wealth are kingly traits. Wisdom is God’s truth. Honor is the respect due the one who is worthy. Praise is our continual offering to the Son. When we praise God our hearts and minds focus on him. We consider his love and mercy to open the way to Heaven. Our hearts fill with gratitude for the Triune God, who has planned our eternal life. Praising God is thanking God for who he is.  
   Sing and proclaim your praises and joy to the Lord. He is King of Kings. He is Savior of our souls. Jesus is Redeemer and Conquering King. The Revelation of Jesus Christ tells us that Heaven is a glorious place of worship. Heaven is filled with and reflects God’s holy beauty. The Father directs the praise to the Son. He keeps it simple: Jesus is worthy. Jesus is the lamb. Jesus is King. Shout it to the world.
 
Prayer: Open my mouth, Father, to shout my praise to the Holy Trinity, who has saved me to worship you in Heaven. Amen.

Revelation 5:7-10 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
 
THE Lord God is about to unleash his final judgment on the world. Jesus takes the scroll form the Father, and all in Heaven turn to worship the Lamb with a new song.
   The worshiping elders each played a harp and held forth bowls containing the prayers of God’s people for God’s justice to come to earth. Prayers for justice must be a regular point of our prayers. One way we pray for justice is to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” God’s will is justice over all the earth.
   With sure hope God will fully answer this prayer with a final victory over evil. A new song of praise, deliverance, salvation and glory is about to ring through the heavens and over the earth to proclaim God’s authority.
   God’s people must know this song. The song celebrating Jesus, the Savior, is another word from God that will sustain the church amid the trials and warfare to come. The song will create an overflowing joy in all who sing, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a Kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” This is our salvation song. Because Jesus reigns, we know his justice will bring the saints – the church – into his glorious eternal Kingdom of God. 
   Keep in mind this is worship. Each day in our hearts we can sing this song because Jesus has made us his priests. That means we are his representatives on earth. Priests pray for others. Priests teach of Jesus. Priests strive for holy living. Priests obey God’s commands. Yes, faithful to God, the true church is a kingdom of priests set apart to sing our Lord’s praises.
   Sing the songs of God with reverence. Worship the Lamb, who was slain for your salvation.
 
Prayer: Joyful, joyful, Jesus, we adore you. You are the Son of God, who comes in glory. Amen. 

Revelation 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
 
JESUS is the Lion of Judah. He is the Lamb who was slain. Lions and lambs are very different, aren’t they? One is all powerful. One is weak. Lions win. Lambs lose. But not Jesus. He is the Lamb who triumphs. Because he is the “lamb that had been slain” he is the “resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) Dead lambs do not stand in triumph alongside the Holy Father. The slain Lamb is alive. He is holy and worthy to open the Father’s scroll, promising the victorious kingdom to come.
   Think of it. The Lamb first needed to die to be alive in God’s holy presence. The Lamb’s new life is the reason for the Lion’s power. There would be no Lion of Judah if there were no Lamb who was slain, risen and triumphant on God’s throne. The risen Lamb becomes the Lion to lead the war against evil.
   God’s salvation begins with God’s sacrifice. You may find it odd, even uncomfortable, to consider Jesus with seven horns and seven eyes. Yet, this image perfectly represents the triumphant Christ. Horns symbolize strength and conquest throughout the Bible. For example, God commands four horns on the first altar in Exodus 27. They were to be covered with blood as priests were consecrated – set apart – to do God’s work. Christ is the High Priest. He has been covered in his own blood. God has set him apart to be Priest and King. See this image, too, in 1 Samuel 2:10 “Those who oppose the Lord will be shattered. He will thunder against them from Heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” The seven eyes and seven spirits again represent the Holy Spirit.
   This is our sovereign Savior, who lovingly and humbly died in power. Through his death, resurrection and ascension, we who believe will live. Remember that Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 24:30 “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” Celebrate this truth! Know you worship the Lion of Judah because he was first the Lamb who has been slain.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that you took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet, we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. And though you made the Son’s life a guilt offering, the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand (from Isaiah 53). Amen.
 

Revelation 5:1-5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in Heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
 
WHO is worthy? Our Savior Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah – majestic and powerful – Jesus is worthy to open the scroll sealed in God’s perfection. There is no other in Heaven, on the earth or below the earth. Only Jesus has perfectly obeyed the Father. The Lion has honored you with his majestic power and sacrificial love. Put away your tears and be of faith. The crucified and risen One is worthy to reveal the future held in the Father’s hand.
   The apostle John would certainly need this with great encouragement. He is at the end of his life, exiled and alone because of his faith. But then the Father’s revelation confirms to John, “the one Jesus loved” (John 20:2c) how deep, long, high and wide his love is for John and for his church. The Lord sustains, too, the precious truth that all in Jesus are given the right to become children of God (John 1:12c). The perfect Lion of Judah is worthy to receive the true scroll. As the Father sent Jesus to earth to declare salvation, the Father has now sent Jesus to alert the church to coming conflict and Jesus’ coming glory. Jesus will reveal both a terrible time of turmoil and joyous time of Heaven’s glory to come. We must always understand our worldly trials are steps toward Heaven’s joy. As the scripture describes Jesus opening the seven seals, we will witness evil raging against God’s holiness and your salvation.
   This is life in the world. Evil has raged against Good since Eden and will continue until God recreates the heavens and earth. Keep your heart and mind firm against the bad news. Be centered, instead, on the Good News of salvation. Remember victory belongs to the Lord and to those who believe he is the Lamb of God: 1 John 5:4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
   What are your struggles today? What sin may be raging against you, striving to control your life? Look to the Holy God. His perfect Word, the Living Christ, will strengthen you to confidently, triumphantly walk in the joy of your salvation.
 
Prayer: Dear Jesus, you are my conquering Savior. Thank you for your victory of eternal life. Amen.
 

Revelation 4:7-11 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “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.”
 
DO you want to know what God looks like? Within the human heart is a desire to have an image of the One who has formed us in his own image. It makes sense, doesn’t it, that God would at least give a glimpse of himself to the world? That’s why he has done so.
   Where do you see him? Jesus told his disciples that one way to see God is to look at him: John 14:9b Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. The disciples could not see God’s physical form, but through Jesus they could see God’s character. To truly see someone, we must see one’s true character.
   That’s why everyone needs to read the Bible. The Bible reveals God’s character. We see God when we learn he is Creator, Lawgiver, Judge, Warrior, Commander, Protector, Forgiver, Redeemer, Caregiver and Savior, to name a few. Through God’s personal interactions with his creation as Father, Son and Spirit, you come to “see” God through the ways he relates to his world.
   This scripture of the four living creatures, the seraphim, reveals the highest expression of God’s character. The lion-faced seraphim represents God’s majesty and power. The ox is faithfulness; the man is intelligence; and the eagle is sovereignty.
   Surrounding the seraphim is the three-part expression of “holy, holy, holy.” This is the Hebrew language of completeness. There is no stain or imperfection in God. “Lord God Almighty” tells us he is the ultimate divine warrior and ruler. He will conquer all opposition. He has reigned from eternal past to the present and will reign into the eternal future. This passage concludes with the twenty-four elders mentioned in verse 4 responding to the seraphims’ holy liturgy.
   Before the Lord God Almighty the elders fall down prostrate. This is the Bible’s common display of those who submit to and adore God’s holy character. When you attend worship services, do you give God all glory, honor and thanks? Such is Heaven’s way. Adoring worship is the only response to the Holy God, who has created you to be with him forever.
 
Prayer: I adore you, Lord God, Father, Savior, Spirit. You are my all in all. Amen.
 

Revelation 4:6 Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.
 
WE tend to define Heaven with an earthly view, don’t we? It is natural for us to speak from our experiences. This is one very important reason to read the Bible. Through the Holy Spirit’s inspired words, we begin to experience God’s glory. His beauty, power and holiness is revealed to us, so we may increasingly have a heart of deeper love and greater worship for our Lord. God wants his church – his people – to know Heaven is much, much more than what we can know or imagine with our limited knowledge. Read and imagine Heaven’s worship.
   The “sea of glass” is a large expanse of perfectly clear, crystal-like glass. Glass in the first century was very rare, and none was clear. God’s throne room is a stunning display of perfection. His crystal-clear glory draws us to true worship.
   The four living creatures are the angels called seraphim. These closely resemble the creatures first described in Ezekiel 1:5-25 (Read for a remarkable, extended description.) The seraphim display and proclaim God’s glory. They teach us several aspects of Heaven’s worship.
   First, there is corporate worship in Heaven. The seraphim are worship leaders. Worship is the joyful, loving submission to God’s holy majesty. Here in Heaven’s throne room is the perfect fulfillment of the first command: Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in Heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” Second, in Heaven, God’s people are one with God. There are no divisions of denominations, preferences, traditions or theologies. True believers are gathered to gloriously proclaim God’s holiness and majesty. This unity fulfills Jesus’ prayer in John 17:22 “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.” Third, no one and no thing is away from Heaven’s view. The seraphim’s eyes covering their bodies see all. Nothing impure is allowed. We can only be in God’s presence as we ae made holy through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.
   Fourth, Heaven is God’s seat of power. The seraphim’s powerful wings are instruments of God’s judgment and salvation, moving at the Father’s command. Beautiful, pure and glorious, Heaven’s throne room awaits God’s people. Live in joy and confidence. Through Jesus Christ, the Father has called us out of sin into his glory.
 
Prayer: How great is your love, Father, that we may be called into your holy perfection through Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Revelation 4:4-5 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
 
WHEN you are in the midst of a severe thunder storm and bolts of lightning flash from the clouds to earth, do you consider God’s holiness and power? This is a consistent image throughout Scripture. One is found in God’s appearance to the Hebrews in Exodus 19:16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. And see in Psalms 77:18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Seven times, too, God declares his power and purity to Job with such words as Job 36:32 He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. 33 His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach. The Bible also tells us that when the Hebrews, the psalmist and Job came face-to-face with God’s holiness, they could only respond in humble, contrite worship.
   Worship is Heaven’s response to God. Crowned and dressed in perfection, these 24 elders are heavenly creatures created to worship God. We may consider their number illustrates the full gospel message to the nations. First was Israel’s 12 tribes and then the 12 apostles. The number seven points to the Holy Spirit. The seven lamps that are the seven spirits is another name for the Holy Spirit. This, too, is a common reference throughout Scripture. The 66 books of the Bible written over some 20 centuries form one book defining God and his purposes. When God declares his majesty to such prophets as Isaiah, Ezekiel and Zechariah, he uses the images of lightning, light, lampstands, fire and heavenly beings worshiping him. He does so here for John.
   How do you respond to God’s holiness? When you see and hear of storms do you consider our Lord is the Creator of those storms? Do you understand his authority to build up and break down? Are you aware your life is in his hands? Have you considered his gracious blessing to reveal himself to you? Do you remember, too, he calms the storms? Mark 4:41b “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Indeed, he is our Holy God, worthy of our worship. Receive his majesty, his glory and  his comfort.
 
Prayer: Holy, holy, holy, you are Lord God, creator of Heaven and earth, Savior of my soul. I praise and worship you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Revelation 4:1-3 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in Heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once the Spirit took control of me. There in Heaven was a throne with someone sitting on it. 3 His face gleamed like such precious stones as jasper and carnelian, and all around the throne there was a rainbow the color of an emerald.”
 
SUDDENLY the scene shifts. “After this” means it’s time for something new. Jesus now wants to show John and his church – that’s all of us who confess Jesus – the future in the heavenly realm. Chapters 4-8 are one vision. These chapters reveal the Lord God’s powerful assurance that he rules on his throne. His purposes will be accomplished as his holy perfection triumphs over evil.
   Note first the Lord’s authority. When he says to John, “Come up.” John has no choice. He can’t say, “When I get time, Lord.” When God speaks, he wants to hear, “Yes, Lord.” Jesus spoke God’s declared will here. There is no changing or waiting on it. It must be done. Many times the Bible tells us God’s purpose happened immediately when he spoke it.
   And so the Spirit took control of John to accomplish what the Lord Jesus decreed. Here, the Lord’s purpose is to display his magnificent throne room. Forty times in Revelation you will read of God’s throne room. Jesus revealed God’s throne here for two reasons. First, the church needs to know the Lord God is greater than any earthly ruler. Think how we easily raise earthly splendor above God. Rome’s emperors, for example, sat on the world’s most beautiful thrones to indicate their god-like status. The Lord’s glorious, bejeweled throne visibly establishes the highest power of all.
   The world’s images of power and authority continually intrude into Jesus’ visible church on earth. Jesus must constantly remind us and demonstrate to us that God’s glory is above all we know here on earth.
   The second reason Jesus reveals the throne is to know the throne’s pure stones and wealth signify God’s perfection and provision. All we have comes from the earth he created. He has distributed his wealth throughout the world, so all people and nations may benefit from the natural resources. We must properly use them for our care. To waste or ignore God’s natural gifts is to neglect his creative authority.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for a view of Heaven’s holy throne room. I pray we understand your sovereign benevolence to rule your earth with ample provision for your people. Amen.

Revelation 3:20-21 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.” 

SOME Bible translations begin this with “Behold!”. Another says, “Listen!.” “Here I am!” Jesus’ message is urgent. He’s coming through the door in power and strength. See this, too, in Psalm 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” Yes, open that door! Engage fully with the Lord of Lords, Savior and Redeemer. HIs truth will transform you. His glorious love will reshape your heart to love God and to love others. 
Perhaps you’ve seen the painting of Christ knocking on the door, awaiting, it seems, for someone to open the door and receive him. Many teach this is Jesus knocking on the door of every person’s heart, anticipating their decision to open it or not. But remember, Revelation is Jesus’ message to his church, people who already confessing faith in Christ. The Bible teaches we have no power within us to decide to open the door of our hearts to Christ. It is the Holy Spirit, who births our faith to open the door and welcome Jesus into our lives. John 3:6 “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘‘You must be born again.’” To be born again is to receive God’s life pouring down from Heaven. It is the Bible’s teaching of God renewing his creation as his people obey his commands. 
Do you confess Jesus, “Lord. Savior”? Then thank God he has opened your heart, so you will join with the King of glory! You will overcome sin, and God will give you the joy to feast with him forever. 
Behold, then, and listen to the Lord’s great love. God’s story from Genesis to Revelation is to tell you he has “prepared a table before you in the presence of your enemies. He anoints your head with oil; your cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (from Psalm 23). 
Have you received the Lord’s glorious salvation and his true promises? Then be eager to help your church open wide its door to welcome in the King of glory to empower your church into the joy of Jesus’ salvation. 

Prayer: Thank you for your overflowing cup of glory, Lord Jesus. Hallelujah! Amen. 

Revelation 3:14-19 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.”
 
WE come to the seventh church that Jesus speaks to specifically in the context of Revelation. When he says he is the Amen, he announces that the church must agree with the forthcoming message.  
   As with the other churches, our Lod used images of the church’s physical surroundings to teach and encourage them into a firm, true faith with the Lord God.
   Jesus’ image of “lukewarm” relates to the city’s water supply. The city of Heliopolis to the northwest was famous for its hot, healing mineral springs. An aqueduct was built to bring the water to Laodicea. The water that was hot and therapeutic at its sources, became lukewarm in Laodicea. It lost its value, too warm to drink, too cool for healing baths. The salve Jesus referred to was produced by a medical school in Laodicea to care for many eye diseases. When Jesus declares, “I wish you were either one or the other!” he wants to awaken the church to have a purity of purpose as refined gold. They need the salve of obedience, repentance and forgiveness to see the full flavor of Jesus within them.
   Lukewarm hearts for Jesus is a very common issue in our own lives, isn’t it? So easily it seems we lose the wonder and joy of Jesus’ incredible love for us. Our daily routine can take us a long way from the Lord if we become complacent with our spiritual disciplines. How quickly the world can cool our hearts and cloud our eyes.
   Keep your eyes fixed on “the Amen the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” Consider the wonder of his message throughout Scripture that tells of his fiery passion for you. He wants you hot for him. “Be earnest and repent.” he says, Be rich in a bounteous love for the one who loves you.
 
Prayer: Enflame my faith, Lord Jesus. Amen.