When we read it with this understanding we find that it gives us a picture of eternity and the kingdom of heaven to encourage us on our journey through time, a picture of Jesus Christ and his lordship over history, and it reveals the real nature of the opposition to the gospel which people of Christian faith have to confront and overcome in their lives.

John is given a vision of the throne room of heaven (Revelation 4). This is meant to give him some perspective on his own life. He had come from Ephesus where the Emperor Domitian demanded that all subjects worship and acknowledge him as Lord and God. In every town there was a temple dedicated to the worship of the Roman Emperor. Such a temple was his throne room in the community. Those who did not comply could be used as victims in the arena.

In contrast to what he saw in his community John was given a vision of a throne in heaven on which sat someone who was described in terms of precious stones that sparkled and flashed with luminous splendor, encircled by an emerald rainbow, the sign of God's mercy (Genesis 9:11,13). From the throne comes thunder and lightning, and before it are the seven Spirits of God, and a sea of glass, clear as crystal. John could have been reminded of the Aegean Sea viewed on a still, clear day from the hilltop of Patmos. You can see for miles. The throne of God is similarly suitably distant from human contact.

Surrounding the throne are the twenty four elders, representing the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles, the people of faith from the old and new covenants. Their dresses of white and crowns of gold remind us that they have been redeemed and have conquered evil.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures who are all-seeing, and represent all of God's creation: the noblest (the lion), the strongest (the ox), the wisest (the human), and the swiftest (the eagle). All of nature worships the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come: the eternal one. All the people of faith worship him who lives for ever. They lay their own crowns before the throne and acknowledge the worth of God to receive glory and honor and power, because God created all things. All creation has its being by the will of God.

The inference is that if anyone claimed to usurp the position of God, such as a military, or political, or religious leader, they would be crazy, for only God is worthy of being worshipped. Also, if someone denied being created, and rejected that their being was contingent on God's will, would be seeing life from a purely human, rather than a heavenly point of view. They would be denying that there is a door open in heaven through which we can receive revelation.

In a recent survey of the spirituality of people outside the church the respondents acknowledged a sense of awe about the universe. Even those who found it hard to believe in a personal God felt that the universe was designed, perhaps guided, maybe planned but probably not controlled. People's understanding was self-confessedly insufficient, profoundly human-centered and often hesitant. Whichever stance one took, it still took one's breath away and at least encouraged spiritual contemplation, even if it didn't bring one to the point of believing in God.

A sense of awe about creation can lead to worship of God because it is an acknowledgement that we are not the center of the universe, and that all creation, by virtue of its existence, worships God all the time, whether we are aware of it or not. It is only human beings, who are given free will, who can choose whether or not they will worship their creator. All the rest of creation worships automatically by fulfilling their purpose.

Why should we worship? What is accomplished by our worship?

"In worship God gathers his people to himself as center... Worship is a meeting at the center so that our lives are centered in God and not lived eccentrically. We worship so that we live in response to and from this center, the living God. Failure to worship consigns us to a life of spasms and jerks, at the mercy of every advertisement, every seduction, every siren. Without worship we live manipulated and manipulating lives. We move in either frightened panic or deluded lethargy as we are, in turn, alarmed by specters and soothed by placebos. If there is no center, there is no circumference. People who do not worship are swept into a vast restlessness, epidemic in the world, with no steady direction and sustaining purpose." (Eugene H. Peterson, Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John & the Praying Imagination, p.60)

What then is the significance of Jesus Christ in this? What has been said could be said by any person of religious faith. John reveals that it is Jesus who is given the authority, through his death and resurrection, to fulfill the purpose of God for the history of the world. No matter what seems to be happening on earth; no matter who seems to be winning or losing; no matter how dark the times may be; the purposes of God are being fulfilled by the Lamb of God (Revelation 5) through his followers. Knowing this brings peace and courage to those who are struggling, and are beset with doubts and uncertainties.

Jesus is revealed through his sacrificial death on the Cross, as ransoming men and women from the clutches of evil for God, and transforming them into a royal priesthood of believers. They are purchased from every tribe and language and people and nation to serve God. It is a glorious work of redemption that will result in a new empire of heaven for all believers. Such knowledge of salvation and future fulfillment strengthens us and motivates us to further worship, witness and service.

The believer looks through the door into heaven and hears "the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand." If numbers count then God and his people have the host of heaven on their side. "They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:

'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise.'"

Then John tells us that "I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!'
The four living creatures said, 'Amen,' and the elders fell down and down and worshipped." (Revelation 5:11-14)

This is a vision which can inspire us today if we will be humble enough to receive it.

Amelia Plantation Chapel,
Amelia Island, Florida