Today I was
drawn to focus on the increasing number of worshipers who surround the throne,
and the one who sits on the throne.[1]
The glories of God and his throne have already been described in mind-boggling,
wonder-inducing visions. Now we must deal with the concentric circles of
worshipers who gather around God, and the joyful ways they celebrate their
relationship to him.
Revelation 4
introduced us to the four living creatures who are on each of the four sides of
God’s throne, and to the twenty-four elders who surround his throne. Chapter 5
shows us “many angels, numbering myriads
of myriads and thousands of thousands,”[2]
added to the picture. “Myriads” means
innumerable, as echoed by the parallel expression, “thousands of thousands”.
Not only are
the circles of worshipers expanding, from one to three; but the numbers are
expanding as well. One throne, four living creatures, twenty-four elders,
innumerable angels. Which brings me to this amazing expression: “But you have come to Mount
Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable
angels in festal gathering…”[3]
As
believers consider who it is we “come to”,
we must keep in mind this component of the picture, that there are “innumerable angels in festal gathering.”
The message is clear: there are more than the required two or three witnesses
that God is good, that in his presence is fullness of joy, and eternal pleasures
at his right hand.[4] He is worth waiting for.
This testimony
of the angels was already shown to us at an even earlier time:
8 And
in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over
their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to
them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with
great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for
behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For
unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby
wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God
and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace
among those with whom he is pleased!”[5]
The picture of
a “multitude of the heavenly host
praising God”, and singing out, “Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased,”
is another good theme picture of the book of Revelation. What we see in
Revelation 4 and 5 is all the worshipers gathering to give glory to God in the
highest. He is in the highest because he is the only one who sits on the throne
at the center of all things. He is in the highest place. Jesus has the highest
name, the name above every name,[6]
and there will never be any other to take his place.
The message of
Revelation is for the peace of the servants of Jesus Christ.[7]
Those who are the children of God, who are pleasing in the sight of God because
of the redemption that is through the blood of Jesus Christ, are assured of
peace with God.[8]
There will not be peace from the world, the flesh, and the devil. The church
will be persecuted and mistreated in many ways. But the book of Revelation
affirms what the angels announced at Jesus’ birth, that it is the people of God
who have peace with God because he has been pleased to dwell with us in his
Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.[9]
From my heart,
Monte
© 2013 Monte Vigh ~ Box 517,
Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8 ~ in2freedom@gmail.com
Unless otherwise noted,
Scriptures are from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good
News Publishers.)
[1]
Revelation 5
[2]
Revelation 5:11
[3]
Hebrews 12:22
[4]
Psalm 16:11
[5]
Luke 2
[6]
Philippians 2:9-11
[7]
“I have said these things
to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33) “The revelation of Jesus
Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon
take place.” (Revelation 1:1)
[8]
“Therefore, since we
have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
[9]
“And the Word became
flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son
from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
(John 1:14)
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