Joining With the Elders + 4 Living Creatures

Aside from a detailed description of God, Revelation 4 paints a brilliant depiction of worship.  In the center of the awe-inspiring spectacle of Heaven's throne room, we read of these four living creatures.  They are covered with eyes in front and in back.  "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.  Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings (Revelation 4: 7+8)."

To me, the most interesting thing about these creatures isn't there design.  Their design peaks my creative curiosity and leaves me awe-struck and fascinated by their Maker's creativity.  But the most interesting thing about these four living creatures is that "day and night they never stop saying, ''Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come'."

A few verses later it says that every time these four living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to God, there are 24 elders who fall on their faces and worship Him saying, "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."  So at any given second--right now--there are beings in heaven doing nothing other than worshiping God.  

A couple years ago I had a lot of stress because I needed student loans or else I wouldn't be able to continue my education (incidentally, these are the same student loans that are now the cause of a lot of my stress).  The recession was gaining momentum at this time and I remember a girl at my lunch table talking about how she was denied because of the economy.  I was overcome by fear.  That night as I was struggling to fall asleep, these verses in Revelation 4 came back to me.  So as I lay there alone in the dark I began repeating, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.  You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power forever and ever, amen."

As I repeated it over and over I realized who I was saying it with.  Those four living creatures actually exist and those 24 elders are actually laying their crowns before the throne.  What a sense of peace that brought me.  It makes me wonder why I don't say that more often.  Affirming God's glory, honor and power with all of heaven is a powerful weapon we have against fear and despair.   

I'll end by paraphrasing a sermon I heard Francis Chan give.  He said we have these four living creatures who would terrify any one of us and all they can think to do is say, "Don't look at me, I'm NOTHING. Give glory to God."