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| Volume 25 Number 4 April 2023 |
Page 9 |
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| Volume 25 Number 4 April 2023 |
Page 9 |
Praises to the Sovereign God!
Brian R. Kenyon
Unlike anyone in the sacred text, the apostle John, while exiled on the island of Patmos, accepted the invitation to enter through an opened door into Heaven to see the very throne of God and the One who sat upon it (Revelation 4:1-2). John described an amazing scene, the full awesomeness of which could not be replicated even by the most advanced computer animation! John described “twenty-four elders” and “four living creatures” who were around and in the midst of this throne (Revelation 4:3-7). The objects, the colors and the sounds to which John likened this scene were incredible and of themselves worthy of our study! However, this article will focus on the two outbursts of praise John described, which helped set the stage for the remainder of the message of Revelation and the encouragement that would follow. If this throne scene could help sustain John and the first century Christians of Asia Minor in their severe persecution, we also can be encouraged to endure whatever our struggles may be.
Sovereign in Separation
The first praise came from the four living creatures: “‘Holy, holy, holy,’ Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8). This three-fold description of God sets Him apart from everything else! First, “Holy, holy, holy” expresses the perfect, absolute holiness of God (cf., Isaiah 6:3). God is set apart and exalted above all His creation. He is equally separate from all evil and sin (Isaiah 59:1-2; Habakkuk 1:13; James 1:13; 1 John 1:5). Second, “Lord God Almighty” expresses the omnipotence or “all-powerfulness” of God (Revelation 19:15; 21:22; cf., 2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6). God is able to do whatever He wills, so long as it does not violate His nature (Genesis 18:14; Job 42:2; Psalm 115:3; 135:6; Matthew 19:26). Obviously, there are some things God cannot do, not because He lacks power but because they are against His perfect nature. For example, God cannot tolerate iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13), deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13), lie (Hebrews 6:18), commit sin or solicit others to sin (James 1:13) or do such contradictory things like making a spherical cube or a rock so big that He cannot move it! Third, “Who was and is and is to come” expresses God as timeless (cf., Revelation 1:4, 8; 16:5). God is eternal, or as the psalmist said, “Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2).
Sovereign in Creation
In response to this praise of the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders fell down, cast down their golden crowns, and worshiped God (Revelation 4:9-10), saying, “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11). These twenty-four elders, symbolizing God’s saints, acknowledged two truths about God that make Him worthy to receive “glory, honor, and power” (Revelation 4:11). First, God “created all things” (Genesis 1-2; John 1:3; Hebrews 11:3). Beside Himself, there is nothing in the universe whose existence cannot ultimately be traced back to God’s creation (Exodus 20:11). Second, God’s will not only brought all creation into existence but also continues to sustain all creation (Colossians 1:16-17). While these truths may seem the same, there is a distinction. The first emphasizes the sheer power and divine nature of the Creator in bringing this world into existence from nothing (Romans 1:19-20). The second emphasizes the willful purpose the Creator had in making this universe. This world was created to provide mankind, God’s crowning creation (Genesis 1:26-27), a place to live, to thrive (Isaiah 45:18) and to point humanity to God’s existence (Acts 17:24-27).
Sovereign in the Sealed
This present culture has desensitized many people to God. While some do not acknowledge His existence and awesome power, just a tiny blade of grass testifies to the unfathomable might residing in God! Revelation speaks of the “sealed” as those belonging to God (Revelation 7:1-3; 9:4; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). As John described in Revelation 4, God is worthy of praise because of His distance from sin and His power in creation. If He can bring this world into existence, He can see His people, the “sealed of God,” through even the most severe trials (Revelation 2:10). Even if God’s people were to lose their lives “for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 2:13; 6:9; 12:11; 20:4), God would give them victory (Revelation 2:10, 17; 3:5; 7:9; 20:11-15). Are you sealed of God? Is the mighty God sovereign in your life? Have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 1:5)? Evil opposition “will make war with the Lamb,” but “the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:4)!
[Editor’s Note: Almighty God truly is the Supreme Sovereign from any perspective one could possibly imagine. Knowledge of, as well as acknowledgment of, the sovereignty of the only true God ought to manifest itself in every facet of one’s life – Christian living, Christian service, Christian worship, Christian worldview and Christian hope. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
