Revelation 4:11

Bowing before the throne of God.  Can it be? I am drawn to this scene, as iron filings are drawn to a magnet. All in heaven in fact are drawn to the central feature, the throne of God.

I have no idea who those twenty-four elders are who sit on those twenty-four minor thrones that surround the one great and awesome one.  God knows.  And the number itself remains a mystery, but that does not mean that the scene has no meaning for me. It certainly does.  Let me explain.

As a person, a human being, a husband, a father, a pastor, a teacher and debtor to many, I have a God-designed throne, specifically prepared for me. I do not consider myself one of the twenty-four but in a way, I am like them, as all of us followers of Jesus are.

As I see it, the imagery is that I sit on a throne, a seat of power and influence.  I wear a crown of dominion over those I am privileged to look after and, in a sense, rule.  It is a picture of success, so to speak, a moment to sit and to glory in power and position. Human satisfaction, we call it.

Then in the heavenly scene in Revelation 4 there comes a special sacred movement.  The twenty-four “elders” step down from their thrones in unison, proceed to the great throne, the ultimate one, that of the triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – where they then fall on their knees in heart-felt humility and thanksgiving, take those crowns of authority off their heads and lay them carefully before the throne of God, the Almighty One.

As they do that they blend in their twenty-four part harmony – singing the song that all know by heart – the song of all God’s happy servants, through the ages. They sing with joy, with experience, with knowledge – to him who sits on the throne above all throne:

“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.” 4:11

God has rewarded me with so much. I am rich in blessings I received and do now receive. I feel especially blessed among the sons of man. That is just fine, I suppose, but all that just makes it possible for me to cast everything, everything, down before the one who is worthy.  My life joy is knowing that my Creator is my personal Savior and that the blessed Holy Spirit is my life-breath.

“I am his and he is mine,” the familiar hymn says.  And I say, Amen.