The book of Revelation is appropriately named as it describes the revelation given to John regarding the latter days, more commonly known as the Tribulation. Because of the fantastical events described in Revelation it’s easy to overlook other, and just as relevant, aspects of Revelation. I want to move away from the obvious questions about what will happen and when, and focus on the Kingdom of God.
“and among the menorahs was someone like a Son of Man, wearing a robe down to his feet and a gold band around his chest. His head and hair were as white as snow-white wool, his eyes like a fiery flame, his feet like burnished brass refined in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of rushing waters.” “When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand upon me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last, the Living One. I was dead, but look! – I am alive forever and ever!…” (Revelation 1:13-15, 17-18)
Revelation provides a glimpse of God and his majesty. “The one sitting there gleamed like diamonds and rubies, and a rainbow shining like emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were 24 other thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothing and wearing gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came forth lightnings and voices and thunderings; and before the throne were seven flaming torches, which are the sevenfold Spirit of God. In front of the throne was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living beings…” “Each of the four living beings had six wings and was covered with eyes inside and out; and day and night they never stop saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is Adonai, God of heaven’s armies
the One who was, who is and who is coming!”
“And whenever the living beings give glory, honor and thanks to the One sitting on the throne, to the One who lives forever and ever, the 24 elders fall down before the One sitting on the throne, who lives forever and ever, and worship him. They throw their crowns in front of the throne and say,
“You are worthy, Adonai Eloheinu [Lord our God],
to have glory, honor and power,
because you created all things –
yes, because of your will they were created
and came into being!””
(Revelation 4:3-6, 8-11)
“Then I saw standing there with the throne and the four living beings, in the circle of the elders, a Lamb that appeared to have been slaughtered…He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of the One sitting on the throne. When he took the scroll, the four living beings and the 24 elders fell down in front of the Lamb. Each one held a harp and gold bowls filled with pieces of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people; and they sang a new song,
“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals;
because you were slaughtered;
at the cost of blood you ransomed for God
persons from every tribe, language, people and nation.
You made them into a kingdom for God to rule,
cohanim [priests] to serve him;
and they will rule over the earth.”
“Then I looked, and I heard the sound of a vast number of angels – thousands and thousands, millions and millions! They were all around the throne, the living beings and the elders; and they shouted out,
“Worthy is the slaughtered Lamb to receive
power, riches, wisdom, strength,
honor, glory and praise!”
“And I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth and on the sea – yes, everything in them – saying,
“To the One sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb
belong praise, honor, glory and power
forever and ever!”
“The four living beings said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshipped.”
(Revelation 5:6-14)
What an image of absolute holiness, reverence, awe and adoration!
Writing about the holiness of God seems inadequate – his throne and presence are sacred. There are no words to properly describe his holiness and power, although we can see his majesty here on earth. “The heavens declare the glory of God, the sky proclaims His handiwork.” (Psalms 19:2(1), Tanakh) Sunset, clouds and weather are all works of God that man can neither replicate nor accurately predict. His holiness is in his very name. Jews consider a name for God so holy they will not say it or translate the word, and in the Tanakh it remains untranslated from Hebrew (Exodus 6:3).
Jesus humbled himself, becoming human in order to bring salvation to the world. Scripture describes him as “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29) and able to “empathize with our weaknesses; since in every respect he was tempted just as we are, the only difference being that he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) His humility, kindness and love should not be mistaken for weakness or as being less holy than the descriptions found in Revelation. Jesus completed his work here on earth, becoming the sacrifice for sin to all who trust in him, and now he is at the right hand of God the Father in heaven.
What is so amazing about Revelation is that after describing terrible judgments, he reveals himself as a merciful God, willing to give freely of himself. “…“It is done! I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z,’ the Beginning and the End. To anyone who is thirsty I myself will give water free of charge from the Fountain of Life. He who wins the victory will receive these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.” (Revelation 21:6-7) He is still calling all to come to him for salvation!
God and his Son are worthy of all praise, devotion, adoration, love and worship, and he wants everyone to know and accept his salvation. An old hymn expresses that sentiment:
How Great Thou Art
“O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “MY GOD, HOW GREAT THOU ART!”
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
– Carl Boberg, Public Domain
*All scripture is from the Complete Jewish Bible unless noted otherwise