Holy

Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”  (Revelation 4:5-8, NASB)

The Bible passage above is from the book of Revelation.  The Apostle John was exiled on the island of Patmos, under persecution, and he says, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John.”  (Revelation 1:1)  The book contains messages from Jesus Christ to seven churches about their conduct, and then things which will occur in our future.

The passage opens with John being shown God’s Throne Room, and a description of the throne of God.  Thunder and lightning come out from His throne.  “A sea of glass, like crystal,” is in front.  The description of the “four living creatures” is interesting, but so is their activity:  “Day and night they do not cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.'”  They do not ever cease to praise God!  And they say the same thing over and over again! 

I’m reminded that a lot of church-going people are put off by music and songs that have repetitious phrases, over and over again.  Me, too.  UNTIL . . . Years ago during a sermon, a pastor noted that some congregants were complaining about such music.  The pastor suggested that that’s what we’ll be doing in Heaven, and doing it for eternity.  And then he said that if it bothers people, then maybe they’re not saved!  Whoa!  That made me think.  C.S. Lewis put it another way:  He said that God is looking for people who are comfortable in worshiping Him! 

We followers of Jesus are here on earth as a dress rehearsal.  We’re supposed to act as if we’re in Heaven.  “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”  That includes praising God, and singing songs that praise Him.  So let’s get practicing!