WORSHIPPED AS CREATOR
Revelation 4:9-11
The first chapter of the bible addresses the most fundamental issue of life. It assumes there is a God and he made the world we live in.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.
He brought into existence everything there is in the universe.
The phrase “heavens and earth” is a merism which is using two opposite statements to signify the whole. When the Bible states
that “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”
it means that he created them and everything in between as well.
God created the world perfectly to sustain life. Our world is tilted on an exact angle of 23 degrees, which enables us to have four seasons. If it were not tilted, vapors from the ocean would move
north or south, eventually pilling up monstrous continents of ice.
If the moon did not remain at its specific distance from the earth, the ocean tide would completely inundate the land twice a day.
The waves of the sea roll in on shore 26 times each minute
in every kind of weather.
If God did not create the world to sustain life we would not exist,
but because he did we worship him as our creator.
CONTINUAL WORSHIP :9
The four living beings which are described in verse 7 represent all creation and they continually praise the eternal everlasting God.
There is continual worship of God in heaven because there he is honored by the angels he created to continually worship him.
Psalm 34:1I will bless (exalt or honor) the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be on my lips.
We can praise God anytime of the day or night – just pause
what you are doing to acknowledge what he has done for you.
We should always honor and praise God.
HONOR BESTOWED :10
Believers
The praise of the living creature’s triggers others to praise God.
Twenty-four elders –are mentioned (4:4; 5:8; 11:16).
There are many different views of who these elders are,
because scripture does not specifically tell us.
The fact that they sit on thrones (:4) indicates they reign with Christ which is promised to believers in Scripture (I Corinthians 6:2-3;II Timothy 2:12) and seen in (2:26-27; 3:21; 5:10; 20:4).
Elders – always refers to men, never to angels.
The title was used of older men who ruled over the tribes of
Israel in the OT and of men who lead churches in the NT.
The elders wore golden crowns on their heads which provides further evidence they were men and not angles because crowns were never promised to angels or arethey pictured wearing them.
If these 24 elders are human beings, who do they represent?
The number 24 in scripture is used to symbolize completion.
There were 24 officers in the temple who represented the 24
divisions of priests as well as singers (I Chron. 24:4-5; 25:9-31).
These 24 elders likely represent a larger group of people.
Theses elders represent all believers who are in heaven.
Revelation 21:12 The new Jerusalem had twelve gates on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed.
:14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations and on them were
the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
All those who have trusted Christ as their Savior are one.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free, there is neither
male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
John Calvin – “There is no distinction of persons here,
and therefore it is of no consequence to what nation or
condition(circumstance in life) any one may belong.”
Application
1. Every believer in Christ receives the same forgiveness of their sins and the same inheritance of eternal life with God in heaven.
2. There is no distinction between age, race, sex or social status.
Every believer is a sinner saved by grace through Jesus Christ.
3. Therefore, believers should treat one another equally with the same respect because we are all part of the family of God.
James 2:1 Show no partiality as you hold faith in Jesus Christ.
Worship
Worship (KJB fall down) – Gk.put your face to the ground.
It is acknowledging the greatness of the person before you.
Matthew 2:11 The wise men fell down and worshiped Jesus.
Worship is a natural response to the majestic glory of God.
Note: this is the first of six times (5;8,14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4).
Cast their crowns – acknowledge God had given them the crowns.
They owed their salvation to him who chose them to his people.
I Peter 2:9 You (believers) are a chosen race . . . a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life.
II Timothy 4:7-8 I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.
These representatives are not concerned about their own holiness, honor or reward. Those things do not mean anything in comparison to the honor that is being given to the glory of God.
Holy, holy, holy, all the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea.
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Who wert, and art and evermore shalt be.
Application
1. Worship is recognizing God who has blessed you.
It was not because of your abilities or the circumstances in your life, but God in his mercy chose you and has forgiven you.
2. We are to honor God by acknowledging our blessings both
physically and spiritually have come from his grace to us.
James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift comes from above,
coming down from the Father of lights.
3. Any reward, which are symbolized by crowns, we have received by the grace of God. Worship is giving those rewards back to God who gave them to us in the first place.
CREATOR WORSHIPED :11
These elders add to the worship of the four living creatures.
The creatures had praised the character of God: his holiness,
omnipotence and eternity. These elders now add their praise
to God for creating the world in which we live.
Worthy – Gk.deserving of special respect(3:4 of believers)
It was used of a Roman emperor when he marched in a triumphal procession after coming back from winning a battle.
They do not say, “We give you” but rather, “You are worthy to receive” our praise from those who worship you.
They use three words to describe their worship of God.
Three is used for emphasis like:Holy, holy, holy (:8).
1.Glory – Gk. doxa from which we get our word doxology.
It is to praise God from whom all blessings flow.
2.Honor – Gk. respect which is shown because of one’s position.
I Peter 2:17 Honor the emperor (KJB king).
When used of honoring God it is showing reverence.
3. Power – Gk. ability, force or strength.
When used of God it is acknowledging him as Almighty.
God is praised because he created the world.
Created – to form, make or shape.
God is presented as Creator throughout Scripture:
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.
Exodus 20:11 In six days the Lord made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them and rested the seventh day.
Psalm 33:6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
:9 He spoke and it came to be; he commanded and it stood firm.
Isaac Watts (d.1748) was an English pastor, theologian.
He described the power of God in creation in the hymn:
I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at his command and all the stars obey.
There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known;
And clouds arise and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care,
And every where that man can be, Thou, God are present there.
God is praised because he has a purpose for his creation.
Will(KJB pleasure) – Gk. choice,desire, plan or purpose.
What one determines will be accomplished or done.
Matthew 6:10 Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
John 6:38 Jesus said, “I came not to do my own will,
but the will of God who sent me.”
John Gill – “God is the first cause, and the last end of all things;
by his power they are made . . . and for his glory.”
In other words, everything belongs to God because he created it and therefore he can do with it whatever he determines to do.
He does not answer to us so he does not have to tell us what he
is doing or why he is doing it. He does whatsoever he wants because he is God and I have to answer to him, not him to me.
Application
MacArthur – “The elders are acknowledging that God
has the right both to redeem and to judge his creation.”
1. Redeem – he saved some for his own honor and glory.
Ephesians 1:4 God choose us in Christ before the foundation
of the world, that we should be holy and blameless in his sight.
Being chosen to believe is a privilege which should result in:
- Humility instead of pride.
- Thankfulness for forgiveness of sin.
- Praise to God for what he has done for us.
2. Judge – he will punish the wicked for their sins.
Proverbs 16:4The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble (KJB evil).
There are those who have not or will not repent of their sins and therefore God will have to punish them because he is holy and just.
Throughout the book of Revelation God punishes those who will not believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. The punishments become more and more severe. In the end, they are condemned to eternal punishment in the lake of fire with Satan and his angels.
CONCLUSION
God created the world that it might bring glory to himself.
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky proclaims his handiwork.
Charles Spurgeon – “The book of nature has three leaves, heaven, earth, and sea, of which heaven is the first and the most glorious.
Every moment God’s existence, power, wisdom and goodness,
are being sounded abroad by the heavenly heralds.”
Creation is a reminder of the greatness of God.
Creation is for God’s glory and his purpose.