THE GREATEST
WORSHIP SERVICE OF ALL
Pastor Larry Gatlin, S Oregon
There is the most awesome worship happening
right now around the “THRONE of GOD”. There are so many amazing things going
on. Angels, ELDERS, THUNDER AND LIGHTNING, THE THRONE, BUT MORE IMPORTANT
FATHER GOD AND JESUS ARE THERE. Just reading the chapter is exciting but
receiving revelation as we read it is the added bonus. Let’s begin by reading
this chapter and then we’ll break it down a bit.
Rev 4
4:1 After
this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the
voice I had first 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 there
before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who
sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an
emerald, encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other
thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white
and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning,
rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing.
These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also before the throne there was what
looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were
four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7
The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third
had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying
eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered
with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop
saying:
LET’S BREAK FOR A MOMENT. WHAT ARE SEEING HERE? AnangelS that have eyes all over?
Why? SO THAT AS THEY WORSHIP THEY NEVER HAVE TO TAKE THEIR EYES OFF OF THE
THRONE AND CAN CONCENTRATE ON THE BEAUTY AND MAJESTY OF THE FATHER. It
absolutely stunning! The lesson that we must learn here is that have to learn
to keep our focus on DADDY! What you focus on is the direction you will go in.
If you’re driving a car and you focus on the rearview mirror, you’re headed for
a crash. But if you focus on going straight ahead and following the road you’ll
reach your destination safe and sound.
I want to present to a thought to you. It is,
that we need to spend more time focusing on the Father. Meditating on who He is, His goodness, and His awesomeness. That we spend time
with Him and develop intimacy with Him.
"Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come."
9 Whenever the living creatures give
glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down
before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne
and say:
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and
God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being." NIV
There are six distinct sections to this portion of scripture.
Let me leave you with an outline. The
outline should be pretty clear without a lot of explanation.
WE START THE REVELATION OF THINGS TO
COME IN 4 &5. IN
CHAPTER 4 WE CAN MAKE 6 DISTINCT PARTS.
I.
THE
THINGS WHICH SHALL BE HEREAFTER.
A.
AFTER
THE MESSAGES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES. REMEMBER THE SEVEN CHURCHES ARE BOTH
PRACTICAL FOR US TO LEARN FROM.
B.
THEY
ALSO REPRESENT SEVEN PLACEMENTS OF CHURCH HISTORY.
C.
FIRST
WE SEE THAT JOHN RECOGNIZES THAT THERE IS AN OPEN DOOR OR WINDOW TO HEAVEN.
1.
WE
TOO CAN EXPERIENCE AN OPEN HEAVEN.
2.
WE
MUST DESIRE IT
3.
WE
MUST LOOK FOR IT
4.
WE
MUST NEVER BACK AWAY FROM OUR PERSUTE OF AN OPEN HEAVEN.
5.
AN
OPEN HEAVEN IS WHERE WE CAN MEET WITH THE LORD ANY TIME THAT WE DESIRE.
6.
NO
RESISTANCE CAN KEEP US FROM IT.
7.
IT
IS A PLACE OF POWERFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD WHERE HE REVEALS THE HIDDEN
MISTERIES OF GODS WORD TO US AND WE HAVE INTIMATE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM.
D.
JOHN
HEARS A VOICE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A TRUMPET, A LOUD, PENETRATING TYPE OF VOICE. A
VOICE THAT IS MELODIC AND FORCEFULL. THIS VOICE SAYS I WILL SHOW, OR REVEAL THE
THINGS WHICH ARE TO COME.
II.
JOHN
THEN FINDS HIMSELF AT THE THRONE OF GOD.
A.
I
BELIEVE THAT A LARGE REASON FOR HIM TO BE BEFORE THE THRONE IS;
1.
BECAUSE
THAT IS WHERE GOD AND JESUS ARE AND ALL REVELATION FLOWS FROM HIS THRONE.
2.
THAT GOD WANTS US TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE
THRONE. HE ALWAYS DESIRES TO HAVE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS KIDS.
3.
THAT
THE THRONE IS APPORACHABLE AND WE CAN COME BEFORE HIM.
Heb 4:15-16
16 Let us then approach the throne of grace
with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our
time of need.
NIV
(NKJV
SAYS LET US BOLDLY APPROACH THE THRONE)
Heb 12:1-2
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before
him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God. NIV
4.
WE
NOW HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE THRONE 24/7.
5.
WE
CAN COME TO GOD DIRECTLY AND NEVER DOUBT THAT HE HEARS US.
6.
IT
IS AT THE THRONE THAT WE RECEIVE REVELATION KNOWLEDGE TO GUIDE US AND DIRECT
OUR EVERY PATH.
B.
THE
OTHER KEY PHRASE HERE IS, I WAS IMMEDIATELY IN THE
SPIRIT.
1.
TO
GET TO THE THRONE I THINK IT IS CRUCIAL THAT WE SPEND TIME SEEKING GOD IN THE
SPIRIT.
2.
IT
IS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S JOB TO GET US TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
3.
IT
IS ALSO HIS JOB TO REVEAL TRUTH TO US.
John 16:13
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of
truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
KJV
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is
the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all
things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto
you. KJV
4.
IT’S
OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BUILD A RELATONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT WILL
ENCOURAGE HIS PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES.
Rom 8:1
8:1 There is
therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
KJV
Rom 8:4-5
4 That the righteousness of the law
might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do
mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of
the Spirit.
KJV
Gal 5:16
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you
will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
NIV
Gal 5:18
18 But if you are led by the Spirit,
you are not under law.
NIV
Gal 5:25
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us
keep in step with the Spirit. NIV
EPH. 1:17-18
17 I keep asking that the God of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and
revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of
your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the
hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the
saints, NIV
C.
THE
ONE WHO SAT ON THE THRONE WAS LIKE EXPENSIVE AND BEAUTIFUL STONES AND METALS.
THE LORDS BEAUTY IS,
1.
BEYOND COMPARE.
2.
EXCITING
3.
UNEXSPLAINABLE
4.
SO
JOHN USES THE WHAT DESCRIBES THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD.
5.
THINGS
THAT ARE PRECIOUS.
6.
WE
NEED TO SEE JUST HOW BEAUTIFUL AND PRECIOUS THE LORD IS.
7.
WE
NEED TO RESPOND TO HIM IN THAT LIGHT.
8.
COME
AND BOW BEFORE HIS MAJESTY, BEAUTY, AND PRECIOUSNESS.
III.
NEXT
WE SEE THE 24 ELDERS DRESSED IN WHITE ROBES AND WEARING GOLDEN CROWNS.
A.
24
SMALLER THRONES AROUND THE THRONE OF GOD. THE SIGNIFICANTS HERE IS THAT THE
FAITHFULL WILL RULE AND REIGN WITH HIM IN THE FUTURE.
B.
WHO
ARE THE ELDERS?
1.
TWELVE
FROM THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL
2.
THE
O.T. PRIESTHOOD WAS 12.
3.
SOME
HAVE SAID THEY ARE THE 12 APOSTLES. BUT JOHN’S NOT THERE SO HOW COULD THERE BE
12? JUST A THOUGHT.
C.
WHAT
ARE THEY DOING?
1.
SITTING
ON THEIR THRONES REPRESENTING THE PROMISE TO THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFULL.
2.
WORSHIPPING
THE LORD
3.
CASTING
THEIR CROWNS BEFORE HIM
4.
FALLING
PROSTRATE BEFORE THE LORD
5.
SINGING
AND PLAYING HARPS
6.
THEY
SERVE AS PREISTS
7.
THEY
ARE THERE TO GIVE JOHN THE REVELATION.
FOR SOME OF THESE
DESCRIPTIONS YOU’LL HAVE TO READ CHAPTER FIVE. BUT WE’LL COVER THAT NEXT WEEK.
IV.
NEXT
WE SEE THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD:
A.
THE
NUMBER 7 REPRESENTS THE FULLNESS OF GOD. THIS NUMBER IS USED TO EXPLAIN HOW
AWESOME AND POWERFUL THE LORD IS. THAT HE IS ABLE TO TOUCH EVERY ASPECT OF OUR
LIVES AND MINISTER JUST EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED.
B.
LIGHTNING,
THUNDER, AND VOICES REPRESENT THE FULLNESS OF GOD THAT IS AT THE THRONE.
C.
IT
IS AN AWESOME AND MAGNIFCIENT PLACE.
V.
NEXT
WE SEE THE SEA OF GLASS.
A.
BEASTS HERE IS TRANSLATED LIVING
BEINGS OR CREATURES FROM THE GREEK WORD “ZOA.” THIS IS NOT THE SAME WORD USED
TO DESCRIBE THE BEAST WITH THE ANTI-CHRIST
B.
EACH
ONE HAS A DISTINCT MINISTRY SEPARATE FROM OTHER ANGELS AND THE 24 ELDERS. THEIR
JOB IS TO CRY, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY” DAY AND NIGHT. IT
APPEARS THAT THEY PERPETUALLY ROTATE AROUND THE THRONE.
C.
THEY
ALSO CRY OUT THE WORTHINESS OF THE LAMB THQT WAS SLAIN FOR THE SINS OF ALL
MANKIND.
D.
THE
SEA OF GLASS DISCRIBES THE BEAUTY OF HEAVEN AND HOW PURE AND HOLY IT IS. IT IS
SO PURE IT IS TRANSPERANT.
VI.
THE
GREATEST WORSHIP SERVICE OF ALL TIME TAKES PLACE.
B.
THEY
FALL PROSTRATE BEFORE THE LORD
C.
THEY
CAST THEIR CROWNS.
D.
THERE
IS PERPETUAL WORSHIP AROUND THE THRONE. IT IS 24/7.
E.
IT
IS MUCH LIKE THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID.
F.
IN
FACT GOD MAY HAVE ALLOWED DAVID TO SEE INTO THE FUTURE AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED HIM
TO ESTABLISH HIS TABERNACLE.
G.
THERE
ARE TWO IMPORTANT THINGS TO LOOK AT HERE.
1.
FIRST,
WHEN THE LORD RETURNS HE WILL ESTABLISH THE TABENACLE OF DAVID.
a.
THIS
TABERNACLE REPRESENTED THE RELATIONSHIP THAT GOD WANTED ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE
WITH HIS PEOPLE.
b.
IT
WAS 24/7 WORSHIP JUST LIKE THE WORSHIP AROUND THE THRONE.
c.
IT
ALLOWED DIRECT ACCESS TO GOD AND HIS PRESENCE JUST AS THE THRONE IN REV. 4 ALSO
REPRESENTS THIS SAME ACCESS.
Acts 15:16-17
16'After! this
I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of
David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may
seek the LORD,
Even all the Gentiles who are called
by My name,
Says the LORD who does all these
things.' NKJV
THIS WOULD INDICATE TO ME THAT WHEN JESUS RETURNS THIS TABERNACLE
WILL BE REBUILT TO ALLOW EVERY ONE TO COME AND WORSHIP ANY TIME THEY DESIRE.
2.
SECOND,
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT TO WORSHIP HIM IN THIS WAY.
a.
WE
CAN APPROACH THE THRONE ANYTIME, DAY OR NIGHT.
b.
WE
CAN CONNECT WITH THIS AWESOME WORSHIP SERVICE THAT IS GOING ON IN HEAVEN 24/7
BY COMING TO HIM IN THE SPIRIT. JUST AS JOHN DID.
c.
WE
ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE IN WORSHIPING THE LORD.
Mark 5:6-9
6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran
and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and
said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I
implore You by God that You do not torment me."
8 For He said to him, "Come out
of the man, unclean spirit!" 9 Then
He asked him, "What is your name?"
NKJV
d.
SINCE
THIS DEMON POSSESED MAN CAME AND WORSHIPED AT THE FEET OF JESUS, WE ARE WITHOUT
EXCUSE.
The greatest way to receive revelation from the Lord is simply, to spend
time with Him.
Pastor Larry
