Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for December 13

THE WORSHIP IN HEAVEN

From: December 13, 2024

“And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight” (Revelation 4:6-7 ESV).

In John’s revelation, he saw four “living creatures” continually praising the One seated on a heavenly throne. His description of these four sounds very similar to the beings that the prophets Isaiah (Isa. 6) and Ezekiel (Ez. 1) encountered in their visions.

These four angelic beings have been variously interpreted to represent the four evangelists: Matthew (Lion), Mark (Ox), Luke (Man), and John (Eagle). These four images also align with the emphases of each gospel. For Matthew emphasized Christ as King (Lion), Mark emphasized Christ as Servant (Ox), Luke as Son of Man (Man) and John emphasized Christ as God (Eagle).

It is also interesting to note that these four images were on the banners of the tribes of Israel’s wilderness encampment that camped according to the four points of the compass. The tribe of Judah camped to the East with the banner of a lion, Ephraim to the West with an ox, Reuben to the South with a man, and Dan to the North with the image of an eagle on their banner.

John does not comment on the identity of these beings. He only records what they continually repeated–– that God is three times holy, omnipotent and eternal.

Who they are and what they represent is a mystery. Yet one Day, we shall join in their worship, casting our crowns before Christ’s royal throne.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we give You thanks and praise for the future You have prepared for us through Jesus, Your Son. You have pulled back the veil to let us catch a glimpse of heaven, yet we see it only in part, awaiting the Day when we shall see it and Your Son, fully. Until that Day, strengthen us to walk in Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

THE WORSHIP OF HEAVEN

From: December 13, 2023

“Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come” (Revelation 4:8 NLT).

The apostle John saw and heard the worship of heaven in God’s throne room. His report was very similar to the prophet Isaiah’s, who had also been given a vision of this scene (See Isa. 6). They both reported the sight and sound of the four six-winged creatures. Yet, only John reported seeing their faces, for they used two of their wings to cover them in Isaiah’s record.

Both reported hearing the living creatures continuously worshiping the Lord. Both heard the three times repetition of “Holy,” followed by the Lord’s name. Yet, a different phrase following that was heard by each. Perhaps Isaiah heard the first verse and John, the last. Or perhaps they sing of a different name and attribute in every stanza.

Isaiah heard them crying out to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy
Is the LORD of Hosts
The whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isa.6:3).

John heard:
“Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!” (Rev. 4:8)

Focusing on John’s record, we notice a triad of triads. There are three lines with three aspects in each. Three repetitions of “holy” in the first line. Three titles for God in the second. And three phases of time in the third. While clearly a worship of the Triune God, it also praises His eternal holiness.

The true worship of God involves both “spirit and truth” (John 4:24). True worship comes from a new and spiritual heart and an enlightened mind, praising the everlasting attributes of the Triune God.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we want to be like the heavenly host who worship You continuously. Make our lives a living testimony and praise of Your holiness and glory. Fill us with Your Spirit afresh. Enlighten our minds with Your wisdom. Strengthen us to declare it with our mouths. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully” (Obadiah 1:3 NLT).

From: December 13, 2022

DON’T TAKE PLEASURE AT ANOTHER’S FALL

The prophet Obadiah, whose Hebrew name means “Servant of the LORD,” delivered a prophecy against Edom for gloating over Israel’s fall. The land of Edom was founded by Jacob’s (“Israel’s”) twin brother, Esau (Also known as “Edom”). Edom was situated south of Judah and difficult to overthrow in its mountain strongholds. However, God warned that His wrath was against Edom. Her pride and pleasure in Israel’s destruction would lead to her own demise. And unlike Israel, whom God would one day deliver and reestablish, Edom would be no more.

As the Word has said, “Pride goeth before a fall” (Prov. 16:18) and in another place, “Those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished” (Prov. 17:5). Therefore, let us be careful not to take pleasure at another’s fall, even if they have been as enemies to us. For we all rise or fall by God’s grace. Instead, let us pray for God’s will and mercy.

PRAYER: Dear Father, it is tempting for us to smile at the suffering of an enemy or one that we disagree with. Yet, while we were yet sinners, You sent Your Son to die in our place. Help us to be like You, always ready to pray and to offer Your gospel of rescue to the one who has fallen. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming” (Revelation 4:8 HCSB).

From: December 13, 2021

THE WORSHIP OF HEAVEN

The apostle John saw and heard the worship of heaven in God’s throne room. His report was very similar to the prophet Isaiah’s, who had also been given a vision of this scene (See Isa. 6). They both reported the sight and sound of the four six-winged creatures. Yet, only John reported seeing their faces, for they used two of their wings to cover them in Isaiah’s record.

Both reported hearing the living creatures continuously worshiping the Lord. Both heard the three times repetition of “Holy,” followed by the Lord’s name. Yet, a different phrase following that was heard by each. Perhaps Isaiah heard the first verse and John, the last. Or perhaps they sing of a different name and attribute in every stanza.

Isaiah heard them crying out to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy

Is the LORD of Hosts

The whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isa.6:3).

John heard:

“Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

Who was and is and is to come!” (Rev. 4:8)

Focusing on John’s record, we notice a triad of triads. There are three lines with three aspects in each. Three repetitions of “holy” in the first line. Three titles for God in the second. And three phases of time in the third. While clearly a worship of the Triune God, it also praises His eternal holiness. For God “was” holy in the past, “is” holy in the present, and will be holy when He comes again.

The true worship of God involves both “spirit and truth” (John 4:24). True worship comes from a new and spiritual heart and an enlightened mind, praising the everlasting attributes of the Triune God.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we want to be like the heavenly host who worship You continuously. Make our lives a living testimony and praise of Your holiness and glory. Fill us with Your Spirit afresh. Enlighten our minds with Your wisdom. Strengthen us to declare it with our mouths. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”’ (Revelation 4:8 NKJV).

From: December 13, 2020

WHAT TRUE WORSHIP SOUNDS LIKE

The apostle John saw and heard the worship of heaven in God’s throne room. His report was very similar to the prophet Isaiah’s, who had also been given a vision of the same scene (See Isa. 6). They both reported the sight and sound of the six-winged creatures there. Yet, only John reported seeing their faces, for they used two of their wings to cover them in Isaiah’s record.

Both reported hearing the living creatures continuously worshiping the Lord. Both heard the three times repetition of “Holy,” followed by the Lord’s name. Yet, a different phrase following that was heard by each. Perhaps Isaiah heard the first verse and John, the last.

Isaiah heard them crying out to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy

Is the LORD of Hosts

The whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isa.6:3).

John heard:

“Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

Who was and is and is to come!” (Rev. 4:8).

Focusing on John’s record, we notice a triad of triads. There are three lines with three aspects in each. Three repetitions of “holy” in the first line. Three titles for God in the second. And three phases of time in the third. While clearly a worship of the Triune God, it also praises His eternal holiness. For God “was” holy in the past, “is” holy in the present, and will be holy when He comes again.

The true worship of God involves both “spirit and truth” (John 4:24). True worship comes from a new and spiritual heart and a enlightened mind, praising the everlasting attributes of the Triune God.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we want to be like the seraphim who worship You continuously. Make our lives a living testimony and praise of Your holiness and glory. Fill us with Your Spirit afresh. Enlighten our minds with Your wisdom. Strengthen us to declare it with our mouths. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.” (Revelation 4:6-7 NLT).

From: December 13, 2018

THE TRINITARIAN WORSHIP OF THE FOUR BEINGS

John saw four “living beings” continually praising the One seated on a heavenly throne. These four beings have been variously interpreted to represent the four evangelists: Matthew (Lion), Mark (Ox), Luke (Man), and John (Eagle). These four images also align with the emphases of each gospel. For Matthew emphasized Christ as King (Lion), Mark emphasized Christ as Servant (Ox), Luke as Son of Man (Man) and John emphasized Christ as God (Eagle).

It is also interesting to note that these four images were on the banners of the tribes of Israel’s wilderness encampment that camped according to the four points of the compass. The tribe of Judah camped to the East with the banner of a lion, Ephraim to the West with an ox, Reuben to the South with a man, and Dan to the North with the image of an eagle on their banner.

John does not comment on their identity. He only records what they continually repeated–– that God is three times holy, omnipotent and eternal. One Day, we shall join in their worship, casting our crowns before Christ’s royal throne.

‘After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”’ (Revelation 4:1 NKJV).

From: December 13, 2017

The book of Revelation can be understood as having three divisions. Jesus instructed the apostle John to “write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this” (Rev. 1:19). Revelation 4:1 begins the “things which must take place after” section, which is the third and future section. Beginning in chapter four, John writes from a heavenly perspective having been called up to heaven by the “first voice,” which belonged to Jesus, whose voice sounded “like a trumpet” (see Rev. 1:10-11).

Jesus drew back the curtain, unveiling the last days to John from heaven’s viewpoint. He did this to encourage believers to be faithful, watchful and confident that the Lord is sovereign and coming again.

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe (Proverbs 29:25 ESV)

From: December 13, 2016

Don’t be a people pleaser! The one who tries to please everyone, lays a trap for himself. For he can never make everyone happy. What is the alternative? Live to please God. Do not fear man, but trust in God. Live for the applause of the One. And the Lord will keep you in His care.

“The pride of your heart has deceived you, You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Whose habitation is high; You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’” (Obadiah 1:3 NKJV)

From: December 13, 2015

The prophet Obadiah, whose Hebrew name means “Servant of the LORD,” delivered a prophecy against Edom for gloating over Israel’s fall. The land of Edom was founded by Jacob’s (“Israel’s”) twin brother, Esau (Also known as “Edom”). Edom was situated south of Judah and difficult to overthrow in its mountain strongholds. However, God warned that His wrath was against Edom. Her pride and pleasure in Israel’s destruction would lead to her own demise. And unlike Israel, whom God would one day deliver and reestablish, Edom would be no more. As the Word has said, “pride goeth before a fall” (Prov. 16:18).

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come” (Revelation 4:8 NLT)

From: December 13, 2014

This is what John heard the four beings continually saying of the One seated on the heavenly throne. These four beings (other translations: “beasts, living creatures”) have been variously interpreted to represent the four evangelists, or four gospels of Matthew (Lion), Mark (Ox), Luke (Man), and John (Eagle). Or they are seen to represent all of creation. It is also interesting to note that these four images were on the banners of the tribes of Israel’s wilderness encampment that camped according to the four points of the compass (Judah/East/Lion, Ephraim/West/Ox, Reuben/South/Man, Dan/North/Eagle). John does not comment on their identity. He only records what they continually repeated– that God is three times holy, omnipotent and eternal. And surely the phrase “still to come” points to Christ’s soon return.