November 14, 2012
Central Truth
God is so much bigger and more powerful than our minds can understand. He provides peace and strength to those who trust in Christ. Our response to His glory and power should be nothing less than full devotion.
"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." (Revelation 4:11)
1 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.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings 1 4:5 Or voices, or sounds and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”
9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
When I was little, I got lost in the mall. Well, that's not exactly a good description. I became engrossed in playing an Atari Asteroids game on display in a store, and my parents couldn't find me. It was only after the security guard found me and I was following him through the mall of dark locked-up stores that I became very scared. My knees were weak. When I saw Mom and Dad at the far end of the long corridor, the weakness vanished, and I left the security guard behind. I ran to them as fast as I could. I knew I was going to be in trouble, but I didn't care.
They were my strong tower and shelter of protection. Suddenly, their advice to stay close to them while in the mall made a lot more sense. My view of the importance of their protection had been far too small to deter me from going my own way and ignoring their counsel. The day in the mall changed that.
In this passage, when John described his vision of our Lord in the throne room of heaven, it changed my perspective. It gave me a bigger vision of who God is. My view had been far too small. He is worthy to receive glory and honor and power. Nothing less than our full devotion.
In the coming chapters, John describes all that was revealed to him about what will happen when Christ returns. Chapter 4 is the setup to remind us that, although there will be apparent chaos all around, God is in complete control. I need that. I forget the lesson I learned at the mall, and I have to be reminded that God is my strong tower (Proverbs 18:10). He says, "I've got this under control." We can trust that He does.
Get a bigger vision of who God is. Praise Him like the creatures in the throne room, saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty . . . ." (Revelation 4:8). Now you can run and not grow weary (Isaiah 40:31).
1. Do you have a personal relationship with the God that John described in Revelation 4? You can. Will you let Him transform your heart?
2. What did your vision of God look like before reading this passage? How is it different now?
3. Do any of the obstacles you face today look less imposing now that you know more specifically the mighty power of our Lord, who loves us and provides for all our needs?
4. How will you faithfully respond in gratitude with your words and actions for His gift of grace through faith?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
November 12-16 (Revelation 2-6)
Parents: Go to the following link (http://wmcc.jointhejourney.com/page_/3913). Print the chart titled "The Role of the Church." Read over it and make sure that you have a good grasp on it. Then create a blank chart to read through Revelation 2-3 with your kids and fill in the chart together. It might be fun to read the passages addressed to the different churches from two versions of the Bible to see the differences.
While you are reading, talk about the different ways the churches were affirmed and how those traits might look in our lives today. Then, talk about what they were not doing well and how those things might be seen in our lives today. In the end, talk about what the charges were to the churches and how we at Watermark are doing in living out the exhortation to follow God wholeheartedly. What could we be doing better?
Take time to pray for the leaders at Watermark, including your small group leaders. Pray, too, for the Church around the world to be strong in following Jesus and for our government to be men and women who fear the Lord.