At the Feet of Jesus - Himalayan Heights – June 5 Readings: Revelation 4:6-11 – Heaven’s Praise

 Revelation 1-5 - Seeing Jesus

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Revelation 4:6-11

The last book of the Bible does exactly what its title says it will do, it reveals Jesus Christ to us in a way that is unique in Scripture.

Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were around the throne on each side. 7 The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like an ox; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying,

Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God, the Almighty,
who was, who is, and who is to come.

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne and say,

11 Our Lord and God,
you are worthy to receive
glory and honor and power,
because you have created all things,
and by your will
they exist and were created.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Kings 15-16, John 11:1–27, Psalm 70, Proverbs 14:21-22

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: At the Feet of Jesus     

Around the throne, on each of its sides, John saw four living creatures with eyes in front and behind. One looked like a lion, another like an ox, the third looked human and the fourth like an eagle in flight. What do they signify? No one really knows, but perhaps they speak of God’s authority and power.  In Isaiah 6, they are called Seraphim. Two of their wings cover their eyes, two cover their feet and with two they fly. These are creatures more amazing than you could ever imagine, but they humble themselves in the presence of the Almighty. Day and night these creatures continue to speak words. 

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory!”Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!

They never cease to speak these words of praise. Day and night, month after month, year after year they give honor and glory to the God of Heaven. They are the heavenly ministers of worship.  

Their ceaseless worship moves the 24 Elders, those who have experienced God's redemption, the heroes of the faith, to join in the praise. They know that they unworthy sinners made holy by the grace of God.  So they get off their thrones, their places of honor, and they fall down before the one seated on the Great White Throne. They remove their crowns and cast them on the floor before the throne. They know that the only reason they rule in heaven is because of the mercy and power of the Lord of Hosts. 

They express their worship in powerful words, focusing on God’s character and glory. 

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” 

We are not worthy, you are worthy.  We should not receive glory, you should receive glory.  All of heaven gives glory to the Father, the greatest of the great, seated on the throne, high and exalted, glorious and powerful – the awesome King of kings.  It is my belief that one day each of us will mimic the actions of the 24 Elders.  Whatever crowns, whatever rewards we receive will be laid at the feet of the Father in heaven, in recognition of our total dependence on Him and His grace for all things, especially our successes here on earth. 

Thank you, Father, for all we have because of what you have done. 

Think and Pray:

Play pretend. Imagine receiving crowns from Jesus Christ - your rewards for serving Jesus.
When you stand before the throne, you take those crowns off your head and lay them at the feet of the Savior, because you realize that all you have done is because of him.
It really isn't pretend.