The four winged creatures that are around the throne of God do not rest day or night, and they are saying "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come"
So, we see that they are constantly active, with their attention completely focused on the Lord, and they are saying things about God, that is, they are describing Him, basically in two ways.
First of all, God is Holy.
Secondly, God is Almighty.
Thirdly, God is eternal, was, is, and is to come.
What does Holy mean? The word in greek, is Hagios, meaning, sacred, pure, morally blameless, ceremonially consecrated, most holy. So, the creatures say it 3 times, over and over again. That God is Holy. This word is used all through the Bible, many, many times to speak of the Lord. He is other then us, He is different then anything else, or anyone else, He is above us. He is pure.
He is also Almighty. And the idea here is that of His complete power, unlimited power. He holds sway or rule over all things. He is the ruler of all.
The third area the creatures speak about is the fact that God is eternal. He was, that is, He existed in the past, He exists now, and will exist in the future, and is to come. Speaking of not only His future eternal existence, but as the book of Revelation explains, will once again be returning to the earth.
Now, whenever the four creatures speak, and give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne who lives forever and ever, here's what happens...........
The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him.
They also cast their crowns before the throne saying, "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.
So, the four creatures are like worship leaders in a sense. And the 24 elders are somewhat like a congregation if you will. They respond in worship.
They fall down. Or they prostrate themselves before God.
They cast down their crowns before the thrones.
They declare that God is worthy to receive glory, honor and power.
They also declare that God has created all things.
They declare the will of God.
They declare that all exists and has been created by the will of God.
Some thoughts in reflection and application
1. All of what we have just read is currently going on in heaven at this moment.
2. God has existed forever in the past, and so has His throne.
3. The elders are never tired of worshipping the Lord.
4. These elders have crowns, that they take off and cast down.
5. Humility will permeate the air of heaven.
6. God as the eternal creator of all things is very understood.
7. We can worship throughout this very day also.
8. God is on His throne in full control of all that is going on in our lives.
9. May we be humble today, and each day.
10. We have been created by God also.
11. Let's join heaven in keeping God the primary focus of our lives today.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
