Revelation, the Grand Finale of God’s Word
Chapters 4-5
Lesson 3
Worshiping the Worthy One
Have you ever been to a big sporting event when every seat was sold out and the game was intense? There are stadiums that can hold over 90,000 people and in a sell out crowd of that size the cheering can be deafening. People gather and cheer for their team and you would think that the world hangs in the balance when the scores are close and the final seconds are ticking off the clock.
But did you ever stop to think that cheering is also a form of worship? It is an emotional, mental and physical expression of what matters very much to us, what we value, what we consider worth a lot, in other words, what we worship.
When we read the Bible, we find that worship in both the Old and New Testaments were often exciting events filled with wonder, loud acclamation and praise and sometimes there were physical expressions of exuberant joy. There are Christian denominations that are known for this. Some are mocked because of their showiness or for their artificial emotional expressions. Reason or rationalism views such emotional outpourings as irreverent or at least uncomfortable. But spiritual worship as we see before the very throne of God include loud songs of praise and falling down before God, casting crowns before him in honor and praise. This is certainly not irreverent, artificial, or improper. When we study the worship of heaven and remember the prayer of Jesus, we may view worship in a new way: Jesus said, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Does this include the way we praise and honor God on earth today?
Notice that there are two extremes that both present a danger here. On the one hand, our expressions of praise and worship should never be artificial. Quiet adoration and praise is acceptable to God in scripture. On the other hand, mockery of those who genuinely praise God with audible, emotional and physical expressions that are exemplified in God’s Word has no place either, since these, too, are scriptural expressions of worship.
In such matters, “Judge not that ye be not judged,” would certainly apply. The worship that is in spirit and in truth may take various forms. However we express praise and adoration, Jesus, the Lamb of God, deserves all we have to give!
Day 1
Read Chapter 4.
What is the overall theme in this section?
List the characters of this section. You may wish to underline each and notice all of whom are present in John’s description of heaven.
Notice the throne. Underline this word and pay attention to how it is the center of all that happens and all the activity begins here.
What are some strange things that you notice that are near the throne?
Where are the four living creatures? What are they doing?
Read Isaiah 6:1-7
Describe the Seriphim:
Read Ezekiel 1-2
What does Ezekiel see here that compares with what John sees in chapter 4?
Dear student, when you hear God’s word describing the presence of God, know that one day you and I will be there. Much of what we read is difficult to understand, but this is clear: God’s presence is awesome and those closest to Him have nothing but praise and adoration to tell. May you and I draw nearer to the throne of God and be filled with awe and wonder! May God fill our mouths with praise and our hearts with thanksgiving and may we grow to worship Him in the beauty of Holiness.
Day 2
Read chapter 5.
What is the problem that is introduced in chapter five? What solution is found?
Describe the book that is sealed:
No one knows for sure what this book represents. We will be reading about what happens as each seal is opened when we study the next section. It would seem that whatever is contained in this book (or scroll) has to do with the history of the salvation of God. Jesus is the only one who can open the book’s seals. The praises given when he takes the book all point to the saving work of Jesus through his death, and the purchase made by his blood. The word for book here,(biblion), can mean scroll or book or certificate. It occurs 34 times in the New Testament, 20 of those are in Revelation. Look for the “books”(or scrolls) in Revelation!
Books in heaven?
Look at Exodus 32:31-35
What book is mentioned here and why?
Psalm 69:28, Psalm 139:16, Ezekiel 2:8-3:4, Malachi 3:16-17, Philippians 4:3 Read these references and write what each book seems to refer to.
Rev. 3:5; 10:1-2, 8-10; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12-15; 21:27. Read these references and write what each book seems to refer to.
Is your name recorded in the Lamb’s book of life? Jesus sent out the disciples with special spiritual powers to heal and cast out demons. When they returned they were all excited about what they could do. Jesus told them not to rejoice that demons were in submission to them, but to rejoice that their names were written in heaven! Luke 10:17-20. Dear student, there is no higher joy than the assurance that our names are in the Lambs book of life! Rejoice in the hope of having your name confessed in heaven where all God’s faithful will receive a rich and glorious welcome into eternal life!
Day 3
Read chapters 4-5.
Notice the expressions of praise.
How would you compare the worship that you read about here with the worship you see in church today? What is similar? How is it different? Why?
When we think of scriptural worship do we ever think of doing it the way we see it done here? Sadly some argue that the worship in heaven has nothing to do with the worship of the church on earth. The argument is that Revelation is purely symbolic and should not be used to instruct us about what we should and should not do in the church. Can such an argument be supported biblically? Why or why not? (What happened to the man in 1 Cor. 14:24-25? Was this newly convinced “unbeliever” offering unscriptural worship?) Dear student, remember that God’s Word is inspired and preserved for our instruction. We must prayerfully and carefully obey and apply every word to our lives. What would happen to the church today if we were to get as excited and be as committed to the cause of Christ as avid sports fans are to their teams? The idol of the football game receives more praise from earth sometimes than the throne of glory. Why? Who is worthy to receive your praises? Are you looking for competition? Look no further than heaven and hell’s competition for the souls of men. Are you looking for a championship victory? Look no further than the hosts of heaven who defeat and destroy Satan and his hellish hoard.
Aren’t you glad to be on the Lord’s side! Isn’t the victory of Jesus over sin and death worth celebrating with joy and praise! Is not his glorious redemption of your soul worthy of joyous exaltation and shouts of “Hallelujah!” (Read Rev. 19:1-6).
List the words that describe the worship that is given to God and Jesus:
(What do they do, say, or sing?)
Notice who is worshipping and how many in each concentric circle. List the worshipping groups:
Would you say that this worship is contagious? Why?
My prayer for you as I write this, dear student, is that God will touch your heart and make you a worshipper who rejoices before his throne and joins with all the worshipping hosts who recognize the glory of our King!
Day 4
Read chapter 5.
Notice that they sang a new song in verses 9-10.
What is the content of this new song? Why is it new?
Singing is a wonderful way of worshipping God. The first time the word “sing” occurs in the Bible it is a victory song. God had just rescued Israel from the Egyptians by parting the waters of the Red Sea and then when Israel had passed through and were safe on the other side, God caused the waters to come together again and drawn those Egyptians who were chasing them. Read Exodus 15:1-22.
In Deuteronomy 32 Moses teaches Israel a song that God gave him as a witness song. It demonstrates that God knows their future. He describes there rebellion, punishment and how He will eventually atone for them.
Judges 5 records Deborah’s song of victory. These songs were for instruction as well as worship. No wonder in the New Testament we are told to teach one another with Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16.
1 Chronicles 15 records where David brought up the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Verse 15 tells us that this time they were careful to carry the Ark according to the prescribed way. Notice how they celebrated loudly with dancing and singing as king David lead the procession. Verses 16-25 describe how the singing was organized. After the Ark arrived in Jerusalem and was placed in the tabernacle, chapter 17 describes how special singing ministers were set up to continually offer praise and thanks to God daily. The worship was to be continual, much like what we read in Revelation.
What do you learn about worship in song from a look at the history of singing praises to God in the Bible?
How ought our singing to reflect the praises given to God in heaven?
What, besides praises to God, does singing do?
Day 5
Read chapters 4-5 one more time.
Sum up what scripture says about each of the following characters: (Notice who, what and where they are).
John:
The One on the throne:
The 24 elders:
The four living creatures:
The Lamb:
Notice how the attention turns to the Lamb and His accomplishments. What has the Lamb done?
What is the reaction of all who recognize what the Lamb has done?
Dear student, God is showing us how all those nearest to His presence respond to Him and to the Lamb. Does this have an impact on your heart as you reflect on it? We live in a world that has not seen the glorious presence of Almighty God. We hear the praises of the world and see what is worshipped in our world. Human beings are designed to be creatures who worship, but when people do not know God nor see the Lamb, their objects of worship are but worthless temporal things. Oh, how God wants us to open our eyes to see Him and open our mouths to proclaim His praises. 1 Peter 2:9-10 says it perfectly:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Let us join with all the heavenly host in worship and praise to the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Lamb of God and the Glorious Father of us all!
