“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:9–12 ESV)
Often people read the Book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible as a book of prophecy related to the End Times and the return of Jesus Christ. There is a great deal to ponder in that stream. However I often read the book of Revelation and glean insights on worship. This passage points to what I can only imagine is an explosion of worship in the heavenly realm.
Two things the passage above reveals. First, worship is our destiny. The Westminster Confession of Faith (Shorter Catechism) begins with this as the starting point.
- What is the chief end of man?
- Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.
We were created and designed to be in God’s presence as His children and to bask in His love. It is in relationship with Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit that we discover our true identity and purpose. Paul puts it this way in his pursuit of Christ.
“That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:10–14 ESV)
Nothing else compares to knowing God. All the world has to offer; fame, power and fortune is rubbish by comparison. His presence is my true destiny and what I long for day by day. His sustaining, glorious, empowering, renewing, life giving presence is overwhelming.
I said two things; well the second will have to wait until next time. I got carried away thinking about God. It is easy to do. So I invite you, right now take a moment pray a simple prayer, God I want to know you more. That is a prayer He loves to answer!
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