Majesty and Judgement - A Vision of Heaven: Part 2 - Revelation 4: 4-8

2:27Well, welcome back to chapters four and five of Revelation, which serve as an introduction to everything that's going to come in the rest of the book of Revelation. Let me ask you a question. What comes to mind when you hear the word landscape? Landscape. What's that? Kevin Hester, yes. Of course. Yeah, land. Landscape. Someone, you look around, landscapes, how the land escaped, topography, plants, all that. What comes to your mind when you hear the word streetscape?

3:12Curb appeal. Curb appeal, maybe like a downtown city or something like that, or something that the streets, something that you would take in as you're going down the street, how the street looks. Now, what comes to your mind when you hear the word lightscape? Any of you been to Central Park lately with all the Christmas lights? That's really a lightscape in the park. So now let me ask you: what comes to your mind when you hear heavenscape? The heavenscape?

3:49I just made that word up, but it's descriptive. What is your understanding of heaven? What comes to mind when you think of heaven? Well, after describing the throne in the first three verses, John gives us a glimpse, a further description of the heavenscape that he took in when he stepped through that door or was taken through that door into heaven and into the very throne room of God. And he gives us a description of what heaven looks like. Certainly, the third. Heaven, the throne room scene.

4:34And he gives us a glimpse of this heaven using prepositions. You have to bring it back to prepositions, right? It's a lofty scene, but it's all centered around some key prepositions. For instance, look in verse 4. Circle the word around, around the throne. There are sights around the throne. Also, look in verse 5 at the beginning part, from the throne. Circle the word from, or maybe a translation out or out from the throne. There are things that come out from the throne. Then in the second part of chapter of verse 5, notice the word before, before the throne. Same at the beginning of verse 6, before the throne. There are things to behold that are before the throne. And then also in verse 6, or the second part of 6, you see the word, perhaps in yours, it's the center and around or middle of. And there's something that's taking place. You can circle those words that describe the midst of the throne. So you have this description of heaven that begins by taking us closer to the throne. He sees the throne and he describes that which is around the throne. And then he describes. Describes that which is coming out from the throne. And then he takes us a step further to the immediate presence or before the throne. And then he describes what he sees going on in the midst of the throne. And that's how he's going to describe this heavenscape. And so that is what we want to do this morning. We want to behold what John beheld so that we will live our lives in light of the heavenly realities that we behold this morning. The revelation wasn't just for us. I mean, it wasn't just for John, it was for us. It wasn't just for the churches. It was, as John was carried through, we step into the presence, into the very presence of the throne room ourselves by virtue of the words that John left us. And so, heaven is described by who, first of all, is around the throne. Who is around the throne?

7:04If you'll notice that as heaven is preparing for judgment, and that's what's taking place, the tribulation is about to take place. It's going to get started in chapter 6 and verse 1. And what chapters 4 and 5 do is they prepare us. Heaven is getting ready for judgment upon the earth to bring God's rule in. Is coming as the Almighty. But the first scene that John takes us into is that which is around the throne. And he wants us to behold that which is around the throne. Look at the verse 4. Around the throne were 24 thrones. So the first thing, he sees the throne, and then he sees 24 thrones. Now, what is a pentagon?

8:04Anybody, all you mathematicians or geometry people? It's a polygon with five sides. What is an octagon? What's that? Yes, a polygon with eight sides. Now, what is a ready for this one? Icosetetragon. Icosetetragon. It is a polygon with 24 sides. Now, there it is. So you can see get this image of perhaps 24 thrones around the throne. They're encircling around the main throne. But John's attention is then drawn to those who are seated on these thrones. Look back. Verse 4. And upon the thrones I saw 24 elders sitting, clothed in white garments. Golden crowns on their heads. Notice what he says about them. They're sitting. They're clothed in white garments. They're wearing golden crowns. They are in their official capacity, whoever these beings are. They are certainly of high rank. They are sitting on thrones before the thrones, the throne.

9:22They are clothed in holy garments, righteousness, holiness. They are wearing crowns, golden crowns, and the crown there is that victor's wreath, golden crown, that which typically is the custom of the games that would be given to a champion in the games. But it can also refer to a very distinguished individual. The question becomes: who are these elders? And there's really two main ways you can go on this: either they're glorified human beings, or they're a class of holy angels.

10:11Which are they? Well, there are those who contend that they are glorified humans. They make a very good case. Those who believe these are humans, they will draw a connection between this scene and all of the promises that were just made. To the churches in chapters 2 and 3. There, in chapters 2 and 3, those who are overcomers among the churches, they are promised to be clothed in white garments. They are promised a victor's crown. They are promised positions of authority, which they will rule the nations. They are even promised a share in Christ's throne itself. And so, here, in the very close connection, you have this promise being realized. So, it offers a very strong support, a near context. Also, the word for elder throughout the Bible is pretty much mainly used to refer to human beings, venerable persons, people of leaders or overseers, those among churches, the elders, the presbytery, they are leaders and overseers of functions in the church. And so, these connections lead many good minds to conclude that these elders are the glorified, our glorified humanity representing all of humanity. Perhaps 12 tribes of Israel being reflected here, 12 apostles. And there were certainly 24 orders in the Levitical priesthood. So, when you look at the priority, Look at the Levitical priesthood, you look at 1 Chronicles 24, you get a depiction that there are 24 orders within the Levitical priesthood, and so it's very fitting that there would be these orders.

12:19And so many who hold this position, and I could list off a number of names, well-known names, contend that the rapture has already taken place. In conjunction with the words, come up here in verse 1, that these words come up here are actually also calling the church out of the world and into heaven. They place this, the rapture of the church, here at this pre-tribulation juncture. And they note that the church doesn't show up again in Revelation really until chapter 19 when the church comes with Christ in the clouds. Well, certainly, I believe in a pre-tribulational rapture of the faithful church, but really not on the basis of 4, verse 1. I think that's, I think you just take it at face value. What's happening in chapter 4 and verse 1, John is being called up into heaven through the door to see what's going on. I think that's a plain, simple meaning. I think chapter 3 and verse 10 is a Clearer about evidence for a pre-tribulational rapture. Better text for that. Because you have kept the word of my perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world to test those who dwell upon the earth.

13:50I think that it's simply just many good minds go there. There's a second position: that this is a special class of leading angels, the presbytery of the angels in heaven. It is clear throughout Scripture that in numbers of places that angels wear white. So the fact that it's white doesn't necessarily mean it has to be people. See the angels wearing white at the tomb. There are also many angels in heaven who did not follow Satan. They overcame the temptation to go with him. So certainly they would be entitled to wearing a victor's crown. The crown could also just mean be a dignified way of connecting them with their Lord who also overcame. So overcoming evil is a consistent theme in heaven, and these dignified individuals bear that mark. So, there's nothing that would preclude angels from wearing such crowns. The word elder can also be used to describe a leading angelic class, like a presbytery among angels. And certainly many would argue that this is what's happening in Isaiah chapter 24. So, based upon what I've set before you so far, I could go either way on this. However, as I keep reading the book of Revelation, I become convinced that this is certainly a special class of holy angels. This is not just glorified humanity. This is a special class of holy angels. And let me just give you a few reasons as we keep going through Revelation. It'll be very clear that these elders, this leading class of angelic beings, lead worship in heaven. You can see that in chapter 4, verse 10. The 204 elders will fall down before him who sits on the throne, and they will worship him who lives forever and ever. And they're going to do the same in chapter 5. They also are used to interpret the vision to John. Look at chapter 7, verse 13. This is after this multitude that comes out of the great tribulation in chapter 7, verse 13. Then one of the elders answered me. And said, These who are clothed in white robes, who are they and where have they come from? I said, My Lord, you know. And he said to me, These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation. So throughout the book, these elders will show up explaining things to John, something that you would expect angelic beings to do, and an angel who reveals Revelation. But also, look at chapter 5 and verse 8. When he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Angels seem more fitting to be holding the bowls of incense, the prayers of the saints, and offering up the prayers of the saints. And then in chapter 8, verse 3, it is an angel after the tribulation, after the seventh trumpet sounds, there are many more prayers going up from earth, many more saints that are praying, probably those who come to Christ because of all what's happening here. And it's another angel in verse 3 came and stood at the altar holding a golden censer, and much incense was given to him so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the Lord. So it was. These elders hold the bowls, and it's only an angel that adds to the bowls. I think we're clearly talking about a special class of angelic beings.

18:13By the way, I invite you back tonight because tonight I want to talk more about angels and angelic orders. We're seeing a lot about angels this time of year, and I want to spend some time looking into them a little more, specifically cherubim, seraphim, and this special class of angels that we are talking about here. You need to get to know who they are and these orders in heaven. So I invite you back tonight for that.

18:45But this is, I believe, a special class. And if you look back at Revelation 3:5, just a page before it, you remember that those who overcome will be clothed in white garments, and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father and before His holy angels. So, in the near context, there is this class of the Father's holy angels, that if we're ashamed of His words, He is going to be ashamed of us. But if we overcome, He will not be ashamed of us in the Presence of his Father's holy angels. And I think what you have here being depicted is this class, or at least part of this class of these holy angels. It's the very thing that Jesus often said. He said in Luke 9:26, whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

20:01So these angels seem to be a special class, special class of angels before the Father's throne. 24. So we've beheld what John beheld around the throne. Now, next we want to behold what John beheld coming from the throne. So John is going to describe heaven by who is around the throne. He wants us to behold the 24 elders, special class of angelic beings. He also wants us to behold what is coming from the throne. Look back at verse 5 and notice, out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. It's a very active thing. I love how John is saying it's real time. He's saying, Behold, out from the throne there are coming forth.

21:01He's like he's with you right there, and he's saying, Look, behold, look what's coming forth, flashes of lightning, sounds, peals of thunder. So as he looks in the vicinity of the throne, out is coming lightning or voices, sounds, voices, could be the same word, thunder. And it's probably not to be thought of like a static electricity, like you might expect in a thunderstorm, but some kind of heavenly light that would be more characteristic or heavenly energy, more characteristic of that which you see in Ezekiel 1 in verse 13. Let me just read this to you, where Ezekiel also saw living beings.

21:49And in the midst of the living beings, there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire, and the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning. Speaking of the cherubim. So, regardless of what's emitting this light, it depicts something about God. God is coming to rule. Or as we'd say in Texas, he's fixing to do something. He's fixing to judge the world. He's getting ready, and that's what's happening here. This idea of this lightning, the flashes of lightning, the sounds, the voices, the thunder, this shows up again in several other places in Revelation at very key junctures through the book. In fact, if you'll remember, going back to your Exodus days, you're thinking about Exodus 19. Do you remember after God had called the children of Israel out of Egypt, he meets them at Sinai? And in verse 16 of chapter 19, it says, So it came about on the third day when it was morning that there were thunder and lightning flashes. So there we are in Sinai. Exodus 19, there were thunder and lightning flashes, and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.

23:33What was he doing there? God was coming to this people. He brought them out and he was coming to rule. He was coming to lay his law out and to enter into a covenant with them that they would walk in his ways. Well, this happens throughout. It's no accident that lightning. And thunder are going to show up at very critical points in the book of Revelation. And you can write these down, but I'll read them to you. There are three critical junctions still to come. There's this first one we've just seen where God is preparing for judgment. It's clear from the lightning, the flashes of thunder, the sounds of thunder.

24:28Right after the seventh seal is opened, in Revelation 8:5, read these words. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar and threw it to the earth. And there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake. So right after the seventh seal is opened, and then what happens to the seven seals? They turn into seven trumpets. And then, right after the seventh trumpet is sounded in Revelation 11:19, 11:19, and the temple of God, which is in heaven, was opened, and the ark of his covenant appeared in his temple, and there were flashes of lightning, and sounds, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm. What happens when the seventh trumpet is blown? You're going to get seven bowls of wrath, seven bowls of wrath. And then, right after the seventh bowl is poured out, guess what? Get this same picture in Revelation 16, 18. Revelation 16, 18, another critical juncture in Revelation after the seventh bowl is poured out. And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder, and there was a great earthquake, such that has never been since man came to be upon the earth, and so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty.

25:57And so, after the outpouring of this seventh bowl, it's done. Babylon's fallen, and Babylon falls, and he comes. But two aspects, very, what's happening is heaven is getting ready to judge the earth. Two aspects of God coming to rule is first, he comes to judge his enemies. Second, he comes to vindicate his people. And so, this picture of the lightning, the flashes of light, and sounds and peals of thunder are marking a juncture. God is coming to rule planet Earth. And not just in his capacity as sovereign of the universe, but his will, that which pleases him. And he is coming to rule as the almighty.

26:56So we have beheld what John beheld around the throne. We have beheld what is coming from the throne. Next, we want to see that which is before the throne, that which is before the throne. And so that which is before, the idea of the word before is really in the face of, so you can see you're getting a closer proximity to the throne, in the immediate presence of the throne. Or perhaps you could say in the very face of the one who sits on the throne. There are two sights that John's eyes focus upon. First, seven burning lamps and then a glass and sea. Let's look at the first. Two sights, the seven burning lamps. Behold, seven burning lamps. Verse 5.

27:57And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. I talked about this in a previous sermon as we were looking at chapter 1 and verse 4, the greetings from the seven spirits of God. I do not think this is another class of angels. What is happening? There are seven torches he beholds, and they are burning. And it's a passive, it's not like they're actively burning. They are being burned. That's the form of the verb. There are these torches that are being blazing. They are being on fire. They are burning.

28:43They are being caused to burn. There is an unseen cause that is burning, causing these torches. They're not just little lamps, they are blazing torches. You know, one cannot see the Holy Spirit. He is a spirit. So it's not like sick. There he is. There he is. He is known by his effects. This is what Jesus teaches us in John 3. You can't see the wind, but you can certainly see its effects. You know when it's stirring. The same is true about the Holy Spirit. You don't see him, but you see his effects. But sometimes in Scripture, a visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit is given so that others can visualize his presence. Can you think of some examples? Jesus' baptism.

29:38How did the Holy Spirit manifest himself there? As a dove coming down. Do you remember Acts chapter 2, the day of Pentecost? How did the Holy Spirit manifest himself there? Yes, tongues of fire, flames of fire coming down here. And you can see through Scripture, what happens is the Holy Spirit will manifest himself appropriate to the ministry and the situation that he is in. And specifically, here in the presence of the throne, in the face of the throne, there is also given a depiction of the Holy Spirit to us here: seven burning torches, something burning them. They are being consumed. They are burning there in the presence. They are consuming, not going out, not being consumed, would be a word, but they are burning, being burned right before the face of the Almighty. But this speaks consistently about what has been revealed about these appearances of God in the Old Testament. In Psalm 97:1, listen to these words: The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice. Verse 2: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries round about.

31:18Remember, Exodus 24, as people were seeing the appearance of the glory of the Lord on the mountain, it says this: Exodus 24:7, and to the eye. Of the sons of Israel, the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop. Now, question is why seven? I'm actually not quite satisfied with my own answer, totally. Not that I think what I'm about to say is in error, but just may not be totally complete. But certainly, as you look at the number seven, it represents completeness, comprehension. And so, when you're thinking about the Spirit of God, seven, there is a perfect zeal before the Lord. There is comprehensive wisdom, comprehensive understanding, comprehensive counsel, and comprehensive strength.

32:27He is referred to as the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of holiness, the Spirit of grace. There's so many, but I think what's happening here is there is one who is responsible to carry out the full administration of God's will. There is one who is in doubt, as God says, it becomes. And God said, you see this, even in creation, you see the Spirit of God moving upon the waters, and God said, and boom, it was. And the Holy Spirit is. A depiction. He is the one who is fully competent, fully endowed. He is the very Spirit of the living God Himself, and He is the one who is responsible for carrying out the will of God and making sure it is fully accomplished.

33:20And so part of that is the Holy Spirit is the one that is responsible to administer the will of God in both heaven and earth. So there is certainly, which involves consuming his enemies, which involves vindicating his people, and so you see it is the Holy Spirit who is the one who is animating the whole scene, giving life, very Spirit of God. But one thing's very clear. As you look at chapter 4 and chapter 5, you're going to see this seven spirits show up again in chapter 5 and verse 6, this time as the eyes of the Lamb. And so what's very plain between, and very clear between chapter 4 and chapter 5, is there is a union between the Creator God and the Spirit of God, and the Redeemer God and the Spirit of God, because the Spirit of God precedes both. You see a depiction of the Triune, God here, Father, throne. That's what chapter 4 is. Redeemer, the Lamb. That's what chapter 5 is about. And they both are intrinsically connected to seven spirits. And it's very clear that these are not angels because they are eyes on the Lamb. And the eyes of the Lamb, I can assure you, the Lamb is not dependent upon angelic beings to tell him what's going on in the world. So it's a depiction of his omniscience. So, and it's very clear that also that Isaiah 11 speaks, the Spirit of God is going to rest upon him, full, manifest Spirit of God. And I think that's what we have here is a depiction of the seven burning lamps, Spirit of God. Behold, seven lamps. But this is another sight that captured John's attention here. The glass and sea. Look at verse 6. And behold, and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass. Now you can imagine there's a lot of interpretations. What in the world does this sea of glass depict? Well, I've heard all kinds of things. Some see it as the sea of evil from which the dragon is. Going to arise, or even the sea of evil humanity where God rules and reigns over. Very peculiar.

36:10I'm not going to spend much time on any of these, really. Others see it as the no, it's really the sea of the redeemed people. Others see, no, it's the blood of Christ. Others say, no, it's a depiction of the lava for purification, which was before the tabernacle. And so you have something like this, this sea, the bronze sea. Well, you have something like that here, a crystal sea. It just seems difficult to understand that there would be purification in heaven. It seems to be something very different.

36:46The glass of the day, by the way, it was not clear. If you had glass of the day, it was usually dark. You couldn't get, it was opaque, light didn't shine through it. So when John describes this as a sea of crystal clear glass, this would be something of an incomprehensive costliness and certainly would add to the splendor of the whole scene. But one element that I think this is emphasizing is the separatist, the separatistness. Separatedness of the Creator. He is separate. In fact, you're going to go on. He is holy. He is distinct. The Creator is not to be understood in terms of the creation. He is alone. He is distinct. And there's something about this sea that separates him. He is separate. He is holy. Holy, holy, holy is going to be the statement of the living beings. It's clear that the scene is splendid. Why is it splendid? Because he is splendid. It is a beautiful scene. Why is it beautiful? Because he is beautiful. It is a holy scene because he himself is holy. And so as we continue our landscape journey or our heavenscape journey of beholding what John beheld, we've seen what John beheld around the throne. We've seen what John beheld coming out from the throne. We have also seen that which is before the throne. But there's one more element here that we need to take in this morning, and that is what John sees, what he beholds there in the midst of the throne. There are those in the midst of The throne.

39:02What does he see? Behold, there are four living beings. Four living beings. Look at verse 6. And in the center and around the throne are four living creatures. Beings is a better word. Living beings. In some Bibles, it says beasts. No, they're living beings, the best. But they are, notice they are at the center. Some words may be in the middle. But they are in the center and around. So get that picture. We've gone from the twelve or the twenty-four thrones around. Then we've looked at that which is immediately before the throne. And now we're looking at something that is in the center or in the middle of and around the throne, kind of like all the descriptions say there's something in the midst of the throne. He has taken us a step further to that which is intimately connected there with the throne.

40:13And that is these beings, these living beings. And John's going to describe them first by their appearance, and second by their activity. Let's just keep going and look at how John described their appearance. Verse 6, or chapter - yeah, verse 6. They're full of eyes in front and behind. They have seeing capacity out the front and out the back. So the first thing John notices are their eyes. All of them had eyes. Now, imagine for a moment if you had eyes in the back of your head. Think about what that would bring in. You know, you would be able to see things a little bit differently. And think about that. And don't get caught up in the idea of, okay, the eyes are depicting a capacity to see. It's a metaphor. They have a capacity to see front and back.

41:17It speaks of their visual capacity or their perceiving capacity. They have a keen perception. And what incredible beings they are. They have eyes toward God and eyes toward their surroundings all the time. They're always able to see God. Eyes in front, eyes and back. What a good way to live. Eyes constantly on God, eyes constantly on the surroundings where God has placed you. Well, that's these beings. And notice how he describes, then in verse 7, he describes each one. Individually. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and a fourth creature like a flying eagle.

42:12What is this? Another interpretive. Not going to spend a lot of time on that. But I can tell you, early tradition saw them as the four gospels. But there's really no agreement about which is which, even as you think it boils down to really two main thoughts: are these a reflection of the character of God, or are they a reflection of the created order? I think that's really becomes the key issue when you're deciding who are these living beings.

42:50The lion, in fact, an ancient Jewish source saw the lion as the pinnacle of the wild animal life. The ox or the calf would be like a young bull, not a little baby calf, but a young bull was the pinnacle of domestic life, and the eagle, the pinnacle of bird life, and of course, man, the chief of all the created order. To think of these as associated with the character of God gets kind of convoluted. How, yeah, in some way we can. Come up with something, but there seems to be the best way without spending a lot of time on it, it seems the best to take these beings as more related to the created order rather than reflecting the character of God, which I'm sure they do. They're holy, they're all that. But what they're doing, there's some kind of created class of being that are related specifically to the created order. In fact, they are the ones that are going to call all of heaven and all creatures and heaven and earth to worship and bow down to the Creator here in just a few verses. So there's certainly an emphasis upon the Creator God here in context 4, chapter 4, chapter 5 is going to be an emphasis upon the Redeemer God.

44:19But certainly these living beings are going to lead the whole created order in worshiping and bowing down to Him. So, some way they're reflecting the created order. But look at verse 8. The next thing that really captures John's attention is really the wings. And four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all around and within. This sounds very descriptive of the seraphim that Isaiah saw, not the cherubim that Ezekiel saw. I believe there's a distinction. Need to come back tonight because I think there is a distinction between the cherubim and the seraphim, these orders, angelic beings. But in Isaiah 6:1, in the year of King Uzziah's death, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of his robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above him, each having six wings. With two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. So it's clear that these beings fly, they are there in the very immediate presence of God. And they're not flying blind. They're not going to run into each other. They have eyes all around. They fly with a keen perception of God and even a keen perception of themselves. Think about that. If you had now seeing capacity off every part of your body, I mean, the wings, these eyes probably are speaking of eyes on the back, eyes underneath. Everywhere they are, there is a seeing capacity. Don't let the eyes just kind of get you into some kind of weird, funky depiction. What is being depicted here is their seeing capacity, their perceiving. Now, imagine if you could, from All angles. Look at yourself. Look at the room.

46:36I mean, you would have a real, we only have two, we can see in front of, but think about your perception. Just think about how that, how you would see yourself, you would be able to see God. You would be able to see yourself, these beings, speaking of these beings. You could be able to see the order of creation, and you would have this perfect perception of where you are in relationship with God. And I have a feeling that these guys need to be very careful about how close they get.

47:03And so they have a very keen perception of God, what's happening on the throne, and a keen perception of where they are, and a keen perception of their duties and their responsibilities. And so when God acts, all of a sudden, they're the ones calling all of heaven to bow down and worship. And if certainly, if proximity says anything, then these are the highest order of angelic beings, certainly here in this place. But look at what they do. Next, John describes them by their activity. Notice what he says about them in verse 8. Not only does he describe them by their appearance, but he describes them by their corporate activity. Verse 8, and day and night they do not cease to say, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God the. Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.

48:06These beings are in a state of ceaseless proclamation. Boy, there's a long sermon right there, just in what they're saying. But there are three character qualities of God that they highlight here: the one who's holy, holy, holy. Speaking about his holiness, his separateness. Second, the Lord God the Almighty, the omnipotent one. They're extolling his holiness and his power, his omnipotent power, who was and who is and who is to come. They're extolling his eternality. It is his holiness, his omnipotence, and his eternality that they are declaring night and day. And that will be the basis upon which all in the created order should worship him. This is why you and I, this is why everybody under heaven has a responsibility to bow down to God as their creator because he is the holy one, because he is all-powerful, and because he is eternal. And he is always that. He is the one who was. He has always been holy. He has always been the Lord God Almighty. He is today.

49:30Holy. He is today the Lord God Almighty, and he is the one who will always be that. And it is he who is coming, and it is he who you will stand before. And so, in light of who he is, ascribe him honor, and glory, and power, and riches from your life. That's where the whole scene of this worship in heaven is going to go. Well, this is the heavenly scene that John wanted us to behold. He wanted us to behold what he beheld so that we could live in the light of these heavenly realities.

50:15What comes to mind when you think of heaven? What does your idea of heaven involve? Who do you say Jesus is? Are you ashamed of him and his words? We need to, in light of these, think about how we can be more deliberate in ascribing to him glory and honor and thanks because this is who he is. Let us be like, let us learn from these beings who have a keen perception of who God is. Let us ever be having our eyes, our spiritual eyes, upon Christ. Let us always, and upon God, our Creator, and the Let us always be thinking about and having our eyes upon what He's called us to do and who He's called us to be and where we are. Let us all with the purpose of ascribing Him the glory, honor, and thanks that is due to Him as our Creator, God. Will you give Him that glory today?

51:22Take a moment, let's bow our heads and use the time to just get right with Him and ascribe to Him the things that He is worthy of. Heavenly Father, we bow our hearts before you in light of this scene, in light of the reality that heaven is coming to earth, that you will reign. And Father, if we are not here to live through these events or to see even them coming, Father, we know that soon we will be in your presence.

51:54We don't have long on this earth before we stand in your presence. And so, Father, help us now to live in light of these truths, living in the very light of eternity. Let us not be ashamed of you in this sinful world, for we dare not want you to be ashamed of us in the presence of your holy angels. So, Father, we ask for your mercy, we ask for your grace, and we ask for your Spirit to accomplish in us your perfect will that you would consume us.

52:31By your Spirit, sanctify us into the likeness of your Son, we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.