“And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” Revelation 5:2
The vision of heaven that Isaiah saw approximately seven hundred years before John the Apostle received his vision, was very similar and yet very different. That which was similar was the centrality of the throne in heaven, with One sitting upon it. That which is different is the coming and presentation of the Lamb of God to the Father on the throne. In both visions there is the primary issue, revealed to the entirety of creation, of the worthiness of God to receive all glory, honor, and power. In John’s vision, with the Lamb of God stepping forward, there is the declaration that He is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who has overcome every enemy, every obstacle, every appeal by the enemy to spare himself, in order to fall short of the work of redemption. This is revealed by the song of the redeemed: “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” (Rev. 5:9) In addition to this symphonic chorus proclaiming the worthiness of the Father and of the Lamb comes the unified, inumerable multitude in heaven declaring: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” The Father’s creation by the Son, and the Son’s redemption by the Spirit, revealed, declared, and sealed by His shed blood, is the basis for the whole of creation to proclaim by the Spirit the absolute and perfect worthiness of God. The triune God is held as the all-encompassing Person and Essence of Life, absolutely singular, possessing priceless worth. It is then, and thus revealed, why He calls the entirety of His creation to worship Him, having no other gods before Him, then to serve Him alone. It is in that conformity with His mind and heart, His design and will, his purpose and means, that in Christ, the whole of creation, the redeemed of all ages, will one day sinlessly worship Him in absolute purety of heart and power. Indeed, God is worthy of nothing less than the highest worship, praise, and service with thanksgiving.
In the conclusion of John’s vision, we see brought together every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them. The voices of each one rises with celestial, blessed reverance and harmony, with the resonating power of the innumerable mulitude of them all to declare: “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.” (5:13) In the specific worship of God, by the declaration of His worthiness, we see the great reason for attributing to God, and God alone, all blessing, praise, honor, glory and power…for all came from Him, exists by Him, and remains for a testimony of His glory. Indeed, there is the immaculate beauty of God revealed in His perfect holiness.
There can be only one reaction to such a revelation of our Glorious God to whom we belong. It is seen in the response of the four beasts and the twenty four elders before the throne. They all fall down before the throne of God, declaring their entire submission to God, and His undisputed, highest elevation in thought and deed, before them. And then, they worship in perfect truth according to the revelation of the truth in Christ, and the Father, by the Spirit. They are all filled to the full with the Spirit, strengthened by Him to offer to God acceptable worship, wherein is no sin, no flaw, no selfishness, nothing of satan, or of this sinful world. The worship is pure and perfect, attributing to God the absolute worth of His Person.
Dear Father, Anoint us to worship Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.