There is a remarkable passage of Scripture present in the fourth chapter of the book of Revelation. It is notable for a lot of reasons, but perhaps its most extraordinary feature is that the Apostle John peers through the open door of heaven and divulges to us what many scholars label as the primary recorded worship service in heaven. As they seem before the heavenly throne, we’re introduced to 4 unique heavenly living creatures and 24 elders who’re viewed while worshipping God. One of probably the most interesting facets of this scene is that the 4 living creatures are glorifying God for who He is, and the 24 elders are worshipping Him for what He has done.
There is actually a myriad of thoughts that run through the minds of any student of this section of Scripture. However, it’s interesting to notice that living creatures can only understand the character of God, and based on this alone, they worship. On the opposite hand, if the 24 elders represent the raptured Church as many, including me, consider, they may also fully understand what God has done. This then gives them an extra reason for the adoration of their Redeemer. In this particular instance, it’s the fact of God because the creator of the universe.
Similarly, when Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee and saved the disciples from sure doom, Matthew records in his Gospel within the 24th chapter that it was then that the disciples actually worshipped Jesus for the primary time. So, while all of nature and all living things will worship God for who He is, only Christ’s Church, made up of true believers, can worship Him for what He has done. True worship and praise flow naturally from a thankful heart. That’s what Scripture tells us that we will likely be doing someday in heaven, together with all those that are followers of Christ who’ve submitted to His lordship of their lives. Since our primary reason for being in heaven will likely be to praise God from a spirit of thankfulness, just perhaps we must always rethink our earthly worship of God, or the shortage thereof because the case could also be.
The precious and supreme gift of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ, who got here to earth as a person, lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day is actually something of biggest price. Such a beautiful and everlasting gift demands our thankfulness, but additionally our praise and worship, not just for who God is but additionally for what He has done for us.
By the best way, during this time of yr, perhaps this heavenly example of thankfulness is price noting in our own personal relationships as well. Too often, our words of affection and appreciation for those we take care of probably the most are spoken with trite words and lukewarm emotions. How often will we end a conversation with a fast “love you” that amounts to not way more than a byword for “goodbye”? It might just be price a attempt to stop long enough to look into the eyes of your spouse, child, parent, or friend and easily say, “I’m thankful for you.” Make sure, in the event that they really mean something to you, that those you hold dear fully understand that you just are thankful each for who they’re and for what they’ve done in your life. Who knows, even the smallest of steps of thankfulness and appreciation could be the very catalyst to fix a broken relationship. At the very least, our holidays will hold a little bit more cheer and a little bit less stress if our family members really get the message of how essential they’re to us. It’s actually price a try — what do you’ve to lose?
Your friends at Southern Evangelical Seminary wish you a really Happy Thanksgiving and a beautiful time together with your family and friends.
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