Worship with Gladness by Zimmerman Joyce Ann;

Author:Zimmerman, Joyce Ann;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
Published: 2014-09-09T15:22:21+00:00

Reflecting Pause

We drink thirstily from Jesus, who gives us living water, when . . .

This transforms us as a congregation in that . . .

To say that Jesus is the Messiah means to us . . .

To say that Jesus is the Savior of the world means to us . . .

To worship in spirit and truth means to us . . .

Elements of our worship which point to our worshiping in spirit and truth are . . .

Heavenly Worship: Multitudes Forever Sing God’s Praises

We would be quite remiss if, in a discussion of God’s word and worship, we did not make at least a few comments on that visionary last book of the Bible, The Revelation to John. Chapters 4 and 5 describe the heavenly worship. There is a throne, and while John’s vision does not describe a figure (God) as such, he uses rich imagery of beautiful things to point to the ineffable God. The “living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne” (Rev. 4:9), echoing the words of the heavenly seraphs in Isaiah’s call: “Holy, holy, holy” (Isa. 6:3). They also proclaim that God is worthy to receive our worship (Rev. 4:11). The next part of the vision introduces the Lamb who was slain, and they repeat their song, that the Lamb is also worthy of our worship (Rev. 5:9a, 12a), for it is he who by his “blood . . . ransomed for God” all peoples (Rev. 5:9b). To this the heavenly court says, “Amen!” (Rev. 5:14). This glimpse of heavenly worship asserts that God is the holy One who alone is worthy of our worship.

Other insights about worship abound. A great multitude is in heaven worshiping God. The 144,000 (Rev. 7) is a symbolic number, a very large one. There were 12,000 sealed from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. But while large, the number is still limited. However, in verse 9 there is an unlimited multitude (“no one could count”) giving the Lamb glory and honor (7:12). Jesus offers eternal life to all who remain faithful to him, those who “have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (7:14c).

Chapter 19 gives us yet another glimpse of heavenly worship. Again, there is a great multitude singing God’s praises. “Hallelujah!” (“Praise God!”) is sounded four times (vv. 19:1b, 3b, 4c, 6c). Then there is a reversal. Those who worship are blessed: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (19:9b). We who worship God are united with God in such a way that we share in God’s holiness, God’s blessedness, God’s eternal wedding feast. All we need do is hear Jesus say, “Come” (Rev. 22:17; the word “come” is repeated three times in this verse).

One curious detail in Revelation’s account of heavenly worship occurs at the beginning of Chapter 8: “When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Rev.

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