SCRIPTURE: Revelation 4:1-11

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
This is a vision, filled with symbols that attempt to describe the indescribable. How do we describe the presence of God? God reveals Himself to our limited, finite senses, using images we can relate to: thrones, jewels, rainbows, lightning, thunder, beasts, crowns. Its not that this is unreal, just that it is more than these symbols can reveal.

The 24 elders are the representatives of old covenant believers (12 tribes) and new covenant believers (12 apostles). The seven spirits can also be understood as the seven-fold Spirit, the perfect fullness of the Holy Spirit (see Isaiah 11:2 for 7 qualities of the Spirit – of the Lord, of wisdom of understanding, of counsel, of power, of knowledge, of the fear of the LORD). The four living creatures may represent the angels of God, spiritual creatures who serve God, who see everywhere and who are sent out to the four ‘corners’ of the earth (Revelation 7:1). This is also a reference to the seraphs of Isaiah 6:1-4, who sang the same song.

The point of this passage is simply this: God is, always has been, and always will be, the Ruler of the Universe. He directs and controls everything for the sake of His people, both old and new covenant believers. Rome may act as if it rules everything (remember that John is in exile at the hands of Rome), but God is the true Ruler!

The practical application for me is, who do I see as in charge? who do I honour as the ultimate ruler? how do I respond to the claims and actions of the powers of this world?

PRAYER:
Lord, remind me that no matter what happens, even if my life doesn’t go like I want it to, even if the enemy seems to have the upper hand, that nothing and no one can dethrone You. Amen.