If its not worth doing, then don't do it!
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If its not worth doing, then don't do it! |
    
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Our Theocentric Universe Revelation 4: 1-11
Chapter four is the beginning of the second section of the book of Revelation. John sees before him an open door and he is invited up and into heaven. This indeed is a greater distance than we can at first appreciate. Years ago I read Isaac Asimov's Foundation series. A central theme to the work was that in the declining Empire there were prepared two new foundations to rebuild the empire. These foundations were established at opposite ends of the Empire to insure the success of at least one of them. The one Foundation was clear out at the far fringes of the known universe. The location of the other was unknown. Finally at the end of the series the second foundation was discovered not clear across the galaxy, but in the very center, right in the midst of the declining capitol complex itself! In the same way are we also very far away. Unlike our primitive forefathers thought, earth is not the center of the solar system, let alone the center of the universe. Here in this chapter we are shown the true theocentric nature of our universe. And the showing of that fact is very much like the video symbols which have become popular on MTV. I read recently that some of our popular musicians are becoming concerned that their music is becoming secondary to the images that are being shown. In a like way it would be easy for us to concentrate upon the wrong things in John's vision of the throne room. The elements of the vision symbolize for us the great revelation that God is indeed Sovereign and that He is the real power in this His universe. We should note well that John is ushered into heaven in the spirit. This means that the images should be spiritually apprised and we should not expect normal human realities. Remember, this throne room is at the other end of the universe from where we are restricted to time and space! Twenty-one years ago I was in Europe for seven months. It was different in many respects. My watch never did adjust to the differences in humidity and such. In the same way, I and countless other GI's dreamed of returning to our land of round doorknobs and bigger PX's! One of my friends traveled further to Japan and the cultural shock there was even greater. Oh how he yearned for food that had moo'd, oinked or clucked when it was alive! In the same ways John's other worldly experience should not be measured from our frail human means of understanding. The symbols taken collectively here mean one thing! And this one thing an older generation of Germans in Europe even understood. "God is in heaven and all is right with the world!" He is on the throne. Let us look at John's record of his spiritual experience to see how he describes this. John enters into the throne room and he sees someone on the throne. But, it is like looking on the noon day sun. He cannot focus nor describe it according to normal human senses. At my school one of our teachers is experimenting with blue fluorescent lights in his room. Whenever you walk into his room, there must be a slight period of adjustment to acclimate the visionary senses. Colors become clearer in time and eventually you feel comfortable. So comfortable that our whole school may in time make the changeover. That description may not be adequate for you to understand what that blue light is like. In the same ways mere words cannot adequately convey the lightness and brightness of the realities of heaven. The spiritual message of this chapter is simple. The universe is governed by the centrality of God's throne. What we are seeing is not heaven itself but a symbolic picture that all things are governed by our Lord from the throne. John first describes the attributes of God as symbolized by precious gems. We should understand these attributes of God as being:
These three jewels taken together summarize the gospel. God is holy, he hates sin and condemns the sinner, but then by His grace and mercy love is shown to us in Jesus Christ. If we add to this scene the noises proceeding from the throne, the sevenfold reference to the Holy Spirit plus the sea of glass before the throne we have an awe inspiring sense of the complete magnificence of our God. The symbolism here heightens the majesty enjoyed by earthly kings and emperors who have had their own magnificent versions of the oval office in our White House. Around the great white throne are four creatures. These creatures have been noted before in the vision of Ezekiel. In these we should realize that all the living things in the universe owe their existence and every breath to their creator. The Birds sing, antelope run and the dolphins leap with the joy of being alive. The sheer multitude of various animals and plants give glory to our God and king. Even the greatest of God's creatures the whales sing. But these creatures around the throne never cease to praise the eternal majesty of their God. Further out from the throne are the twenty-four elders who symbolize the praise of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant Church. Later in chapter five verse eleven we will also see that the whole scene is surrounded by the entire angelic host of heaven. Not only is God the center of His universe but all creatures that live and breath owe him honor and worship and praise and glory! But do we? We are taught that God is sovereign but then we let the little problems of life wear us down! John's letter to the churches is written to encourage these first Christians through their struggles in the faith. Yes, he knows that there will soon be persecution and the whole purpose of this book is to encourage them and us with the fact that God is indeed on his throne and all things will work for the good of those who are called into His kingdom. We are also taught to set apart one day in seven to spend in His worship and meditation on His word. But do we? The world if it senses anything important about the Lord's day guesses that it should merely be spent with friends and family. In a play by George Bernard Shaw one character observes, "Heaven is all right, of course, but for meeting old friends and acquaintances you can't beat hell." While most people would say they want to go to heaven, they might prefer hell if heaven is like the vision of these two chapters. People concerned only about themselves would find the ceaseless praise of God and the Lamb intolerable. Once Mark Twain wrote an earthy tale about the expectations of such worship! The world would fully agree, but our calling is different. Like the creatures, elders and angles, do you live to worship God? Do you delight to ascribe to Him the glory and honor which are due Him? How do you view the hymns you sing in church? Are they truly vehicles of praise to God, as you pour out your heart and soul in worship? Is God exalted in our midst? "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." Will your believe that? If so you should take comfort in the revealed fact that ours is a theocentric universe. Our God is the great and awesome creator of all things. Therefore what have we to fear except the weaknesses of our own faith. And God can help you improve the strength of your faith if you will but ask Him in prayer. May that be your asking so that He may bless you. Amen.
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America) Box 13926 -- Columbus, OH 43213 Rev 04b 17 December 89
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