There in heaven was a throne ... In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, on which were seated twenty-four elders dressed in white and wearing crowns of gold. ... the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever. They throw their crowns down in front of the throne [Revelation 4:2,4,10 GNT]
John's vision comes in stages. Perhaps there were several visions? The stage has moved from earth to heaven. He has left Laodicea and now finds himself in the throneroom of God. Yet the linkage to Laodicea is clear as the Lord promised thrones to overcomers in that city.
Still. The concept of thrones is a bit confusing though. I understand that God sits on a throne. But what about the other 24 thrones? Why are they significant? I think that they may indicate that heaven is not limited to either the 12 tribes of Israel and/or followers of the 12 disciples.
Interesting how the 24 elders pay homage to God. They worship with singing. They submit themselves by bowing and giving up their crowns. Perhaps the imagery is meant to teach us about worship. How, at the heart, worship is about offering up both our voices and our power to the Lord.
Perhaps the giving up of power, the proverbial casting of crowns, is at the very heart of worship? Maybe the prayer of submission, not my will but thine be done, is the truest form of worship? A good thing to remember when we ask for God's kingdom to come and his will to done.
Teach me to bow Lord Jesus. You are worthy.
... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation
The more I read the book of Revelation, the more I see worship and the One we worship! Good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nonnie! The kingdom of heaven seems to be one where the King is greatly esteemed, obeyed, followed and loved. I pray that it come on earth as it is in heaven.
DeleteWe are looking at Randy Alcorn's book on Heaven in our Ladies Bible study. One assignment was to write some thoughts about Heaven. I'll share with you what I wrote.
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Since I don't draw anything but stick figures, puffy clouds, little houses, flowers, trees, I will have to write my imaginations of heaven and even that won't be enough because, as one hymn says, "could we with ink the oceans fill and were the skies of parchment made," there isn't enough paper or crayons to describe my mind's eye picture of heaven, nor do I have the eloquence of speech to tell it.
I see first of all Jesus. My dear Savior at the very center of all who've been redeemed. We encircle Him with clasped hands and arms raised, in perfect unity as He prayed for, yet perfect uniqueness as He created us - one with Him, engulfed in love.
The rainbow is over Him, the Light, brilliant light of the glory of God in Christ Jesus. Joy permeates the air -- all are infused with the fullness of love, peace and purity in our fellowship - the glory of God resting upon each beautiful face, hearts made blameless and pure reveling in complete satisfaction - no comparisons, a heavenly language understood by all as unraveled mysteries of God are disclosed and the secret things revealed.
There's no paper or canvas large enough to capture the imagination of what Heaven will be and certainly not big enough to capture the reality of the indescribable beauty.
Heaven is like Him - in that it is too wonderful right now for comprehension and behind our understanding.
Just as no one can look at the face of God without being blinded, falling at His feet - so we cannot imagine until we are there abiding in Him in our dwelling place - eating at His table - shouts of joy and victory resounding in the dwelling places of the righteous.
It will be a place where every longing I ever had, longings I never even knew I had, will be fulfilled because Jesus is there. It will be full of my very favorite things - mountains, trees, gorgeous flowers, beautiful waters, streams clear and sparkling, lush ferns and exotic plants, soft thick grass to walk on without pesky insects such as chiggers, the sounds of children laughing, people rejoicing, birds singing, everything in its perfection to delight and thrill. The sound of His voice, the touch of His hand, His embrace to those who responded to His invitation to His table:
'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. ... What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts. What festivities await us inside your holy Temple. ... In that day [we] will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation." ... How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. ... “At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.” "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Revelation 3:20 (NASB); Psalm 65:4 (NLT); Isaiah 25:9 (NIV); Psalm 36:7-9 (NIV); 1 Timothy 6:15-16 NLT: Revelation 22:14 (NIV)
Connie
Our small group read and discussed Randy Alcorn's book Connie. I felt it was a bit too rigid for me. I like what you wrote better. Thanks for sharing it with me.
DeleteThank you. I think I'm going to post it in my blog.
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