“After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven…” (Rev. 4:1-2).
Through a revelation of Jesus Christ, John was transported from the island where he had been exiled as punishment for proclaiming the good news to the throne of God Himself. What John saw, heard, felt, smelt, and even tasted there was incredible. The beauty and majesty of God – receiving endless glory and honor and thanks from stunning heavenly hosts and twenty-four elders serving on behalf of His people throughout the ages – it was absolutely breathtaking.
Then Christ arrived – and it became even better. Everyone fell down and worshiped. Prayers were lifted. A new song was sung. All heaven shouted, “Worthy is the Lamb!” Then something even more incredible happened: “I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’” (Rev. 5:13). As the last line of the last Psalm said centuries earlier, this last book of the Bible depicted everything that has breath praising the LORD (cf. Ps. 150:6). Jesus made it possible.
As Christians, this is what we look forward to when King Jesus comes and all things are subjected to Him (cf. 1 Cor. 15:28). This is our hope for when “creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Rom. 8:21). According to God’s promise, “we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet. 3:13). God invites us to live in His presence forever as He makes all things new (cf. Rev. 21:1-5).
Yet as Christians, living in God’s presence isn’t just something for later: it starts now. When we are buried with Christ in baptism, we become a new creation – “not in the flesh but in the Spirit” (Rom. 8:9, cf. 6:3-4, 2 Cor. 5:17). When we sing God’s praise together, give thanks to Him, and pray at all times – the same things John witnessed happening around God’s throne – we worship “in spirit” (cf. Eph. 5:18-21, 6:18; John 4:24). If we will bring Christ our all in worship – humbly falling down before Him, loving Him with all our heart, soul, and might – it can be like a door into heaven has been opened to us. We will get a glimpse of how beautiful heaven must be as we gather in the “assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven” (Heb. 12:23). Won’t you please go through that door with me? Enter “grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” and offering God “acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29).
Experience passion in your worship as Keith Lancaster presents a Praise & Harmony Songfest weekend with the Georgetown church of Christ on Saturday 3/19 and Sunday 3/20/22. Learn more at https://www.georgetownchurchofchrist.com/songfest.