Throne Room of Heaven - Part 2

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It is truly an honor to be with you again on this week. Everyone that is joining me for the very first time my name is Brian Thomas and I greet you in the name of our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As always we give honor to the one and only true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of the Bible. Last week we began looking at the throne room of heaven and so were going to conclude things on this week. Last week we looked at the physical appearance of the throne room and so this we were going to look at the worship that is taken place we saw that there is so much splendor as our Lord is there. He is present, God the father, God the son God the Holy Spirit that fuels the throne room with his glory with his glory with his Majesty, and so we also saw that there is this great rainbow that encompasses the throne, just a beautiful picture of what is there and I will Lord his his great love he gave us a glimpse a picture by way of the apostle John as he took him into the future by way of a vision and so he is showing us that he is our Lord by way of the apostle John, what it is that we have to look forward to, because for those of us who put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ we we will be there someday we will be at this great throne room of heaven, so I want to begin with the question, do you ever wonder what heavenly worship is like because when we think about worship on the earth a lot of different ideas come to mind as we spoke about last week.

There are churches in which the worship is very animated is very expressive is very loud. I've heard of cases in which people as they are entering the church service. The greeters are handing out earplugs because the loudness of the music. Then there is the opposite in it which is very ceremonial is very liturgical.

You're being told and instructed what to say and what to do in your reading from a script were going to look this week at what does heavenly worship look like we've already seen this great throne and there's just so many great wonderful things that are there and again in God with all of his great love all of his great power. He's showing us what we have to look forward to folks. Those of us who are believers in Jesus Christ and I encourage everyone under the sound of my voice to become a believer of Jesus Christ we have so much to look forward to beyond this life. So as we go into the message let us look to our Lord. For a word of prayer.

Heavenly father, we thank you Lord for this day. We thank you for this word that you've given us to show was a picture of what it is that we have to look forward to. That is right around your great throne room of heaven is my prayer that all things are spoken there to be nothing but sound doctrine, and may you be honored and glorified in all things in the name of Jesus a man, how do we worship our Lord. If we remember we go back to chapter 3, the apostle John is just in his writing the letters to the seven churches in immediately upon doing so, he sees a door open to heaven. Now don't believe that this is a coincidence, I think that this is a picture of the rapture of the church because the apostle John. When this door open. He looked and then he heard a voice that said, come up here we saw last week that this voice was that of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I truly believe that this is a picture of what is to come for the rapture of the church in which we are going to be called up to be with our Lord that their different opinions out there. I know there are some who believe in a post-tribulation rapture there some who believe in her mid-tribulation rapture there some that are pre-wrath us on the mid wrath there some letters that say the rapture is just a false doctrine.

There is no rapture. There are different opinions out there but folks we don't divide over this doctrine. I truly believe that there are going to be believers that are going to be living in eternity.

That summer want to be those who hold the pretrip rapture view some needed some post I hold the pretrip view but it but the key thing about it is we do not divide we don't break fellowship over this matter. What we must do though is be ready to meet our Lord at all times, whether it be by way of natural death or by way of the rapture because the time is going to come in one way or another that we are going to put on an incorruptible body.

The Bible says were going to leave these corruptible bodies.

So in one way, at some point time it will take place.

But we left off last week with verse five in Revelation chapter 4. So let's pick up where we left off. Revelation 4 verse five reads, and from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God saw last week. The seven spirits of God represents the 70's ministry of the one Holy Spirit.

Now I want to draw your attention today to the fact that this verse is telling us of the majestic nature of our Lord of God is telling us of his majesty of his power, when he speaks of lightnings, thunderings, and voices. If you recall from Exodus chapter 19 verses 16 through 19. We found that our Lord God appeared to the Israelites at Mount Sinai and he says that he had voice of thunderings, lightnings, and the people were afraid they were afraid of. They were going to die and we see the same language in Psalm chapter 18 verses 12 through 15 and again our Lord is referred to as having lightnings, thunderings, and voices makes me think about here on this earth. When thunderstorms come up and the lightning, the thundering it, it can be nerve rattling at times and I've seen little children to get quite afraid of you missing some adults to get afraid and isolate an overgrown man who would go and hide in a closet when a thunderstorm comes up so we can strike fear in you. I've seen people to have pets… Dolls a run for covertly run and hide of the bidder or on the couch or maybe under the arms of their their owner because they are afraid and what we see here the search though is just a small little glimpse of taste of what it is like around the throne room of heaven because the Bible says that there are great thunderings there great lightnings, and there is this booming voice of our God represents his fullness it represents is completeness it represents is perfection and it just shows the power that he has in the thing about it is we don't have to fear though because we are on his side will have to fear I will Lord but we ought to reverence him. We are to to have the fear in the sense of respect and honor, but not fearing the sense that we are afraid of him because he is loving he wants what's best for us. Let's continue by looking at Revelation chapter 4 verse six before the throne there was a sea of glass like Crystal and in the midst of the throne and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and back.

The first living creature was like a lion in the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man in the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. This is a very interesting text as what is present around the throne room of heaven remote. We often don't think about these things, but this is very interesting as we see these four living creatures having eyes around front and back full of eyes will we look at this text, the sea of glass.

I will admit I cannot be dogmatic as to what the sea of glass means you could convey stability as a glassy sea is calm, is undisturbed by by winds and by stones, but it is definitely a magnificent picture regardless of what it means. Because if you stop and think about it for moment I've seen great lakes, magnificent legs, huge legs that in every direction you turn there was water so think about the largest lake that you've ever seen. And now imagine that it is a complete sheet of glass. Think about how it's going to sparkle how the sun bouncing off of the raise and how beautiful that would be with. This is a picture of what we see here around the throne room of heaven. It is definitely things that we we just can't fathom in our human nature as to how beautiful, how glorious this is. But this sea could be one the church at risk. That is one thing you could represent it could also represent the word of God because we see that the the sea of glass in Solomon's temple represented the word of God and normally when we look in Scripture. See refers to people when we come to Revelation chapter 15 we want to find the tribulation saints are seen standing on the sea of glass, but again folks, this is a beautiful picture of what is in heaven.

Eyes have not seen nor years of heard the great things that are there and I just imagine this great beautiful magnificent glass sea of glass that is a sparkling in the glory and the splendor of Lord's presence. If we look at Isaiah chapter 6 verses one through three.

We find a description of the Seraphim.

It tells us there in the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on the throne. How you lifted up in the train of his robe fueled the temple. Above it stood Seraphim each one had six wings with two he covered his face with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another said, holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory. I want you to keep those verses in mind as we go forward.

Ezekiel chapter 1 verses five through six and then 10 through 11 mentions four beings that represent the noblest, they represent the strongest, the wisest and swiftest among God's living beings.

Remember there was one who had a creature he was a creature like a lion. There was one that was like a calf that was one that was like the face of a man and then there was 1/4 creature that was flying like an eagle. This is very intriguing is what we see going on around the throne room of heaven. What is present there is so before the throne. Again, this sea of glass like crystals in the midst of the throne and around the throne and then we see these creatures with eyes front and back and then there's one like a lion like a calf, like a man, and one like an eagle.

What does the Bible say that these creatures praise the Lord. Now, as we look a little closer at these creatures, the functions could be as follows. The lion could represent the leader of the kingdom of the animals. Most people say yes the lion is the king of the jungle.

The calf is the leader of the domestic animals and then we see the man who is the leader of the angelic host responsible for the human race. And then we also see here flying eagle.

The leader of the kingdom of the birds of the air. This is this is just to me. I find this so intriguing we we know that this is what is present around the throne room of heaven. It also could be that these four beings represent the highest order of celestial beings who lead in worship. It is just is just amazing what we see here that is going on around the throne room of heaven. These creatures that something that we we can imagine what it's like on the earth. We we know what a lion looks like we know what a calf looks like we would a man was like we know what a flying eagle. Looks like but but then we see these these wings that they have and so is something that that we can't really fathom as to what they really look like the Bible again tells us that eyes are not seen nor years heard the things that are in store for all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. So my question to you. Have you place your faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you've not trusted him as your Lord and Savior. I want to encourage you today to do so because there is peace there is great joy. Your life is going to be change in a way that is so radical that you won't believe you will say that the only way it could happen is by way of the power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So I encouraged today come to him. Don't listen to the house of the devil in which he tries to convince you that you've done too much wrong that you been to sinful that Jesus would not accept you the shed blood of Jesus Christ washes away all sins.

The shed blood of Jesus Christ can redeem you from anything so I want to encourage you today that if you've not trusted him as your Lord and Savior.

Put your faith in Jesus Christ today so that you can have eternal life. The likely change in a way you will never regret it because you have joy that is eternal. You will tune in today to the God first program. Looking at the throne room of heaven don't go away will be right back. Short message you're listening to Brian Thomas only got more wine please visit God, not horse around the library.

There you will find articles and messages available as MP3 downloads on various topics such as salvation, Bible marriage lesson is just to name a few. Also, sign up for our monthly newsletter and visit our web visit God back to the program. My name is Brian Thomas and you are soon began to first if you want to hear this message in its entirety or any of our previous programs please visit us that God first.org this GLD number one best.org you can also write as we would love to hear from you at God first Bible Fellowship, PO Box 266, Knightdale, NC 27545 again please write as we would love to hear from you. So let's pick up where we left off in Revelation chapter 4 and we have come to verse eight we find here the four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within, and they do not rest day or night, say, holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. Let me pause right there for a minute member. When I gave you the description of the Seraphim from the previous chapter of Isaiah To six verses one through three, we read that to you again in the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne how you lifted up in the train of his robe filled the temple. Above it stood Seraphim each one had six wings with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

And one cried to another said, holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory. I love the way Scripture interprets Scripture or how Scripture ties to Scripture because we see the same thing stated right here in Revelation 4 verse eight. Again, the four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within, and they do not rest day or night, saying holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is to come. Verse nine whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever. The 24 elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne saying you are worthy of the Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your wheel that exists and were created. This is a beautiful picture. It is a very very beautiful picture. Jesus Christ is the object of worship in heaven now when we come to this verse may be the cause of worship at this point could be that the church is been rapture, but either way steel worship is continually taken place in heaven. And the Bible says here in this verse that he created all things.

John chapter 1 verse three says all things were made through him and without him nothing was made that was made and so we see the worship of our Lord, we see how when these creatures with these eyes all around with these six wings each that when they start worshiping our Lord that the 24 elders fall down before him and worship him. Answer to question do you ever have times in your life when you fall down and worship our Lord and I don't mean just in church. I mean just in times of your your day-to-day goings do you do you feel a desire to fall down and worship them know there are times when I'm walking around in my yard. I love to do outdoor work in and I just love enjoying the great outdoors and as I walk around and look at the that the great creation of our God and I look at the trees. A look at the sky and if is getting to be nighttime.

A look at the stars and then a look at the home he's blessed me with and are times when I will just go down to the earth before the Lord and I will just bow before him, and I will just start to praise him. I was told to honor him and to thank him because it is by him is by his power is by his glory and does not even mention the fact that he gave us eternal life, the opportunity for eternal life if you accepted by dying on the cross he came out of a perfect heaven to this earth so that we could have the opportunity for eternal life and that is why we see here the Scripture says you are worthy, old Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your wheel. They exists and were created. It is a beautiful picture of what is taking place in heaven.

We see the creatures we see the elders they are worshiping our Lord. They are honoring him.

They are reverencing him so let me ask you this question. Are you excited about the wonders of heaven. There are people that are holding on to this life on this side of of life to this earth and I see so many cases in which a person that is coming close to death.

Now not saying that we run around and just. We are looking to die in that were were hoping to die not seen it all. Now there are people who are suffering greatly through through elements and things that they do say the deer they wanted to go ahead and and go to be with the Lord but I will is going to call us at a time when he's ready when he has decided that our purpose on this earth has been fulfilled. But until then we are to occupy until he comes. But a thing about it is I see people that seem to get so down and out and so discouraged because of what is going on in this life because of things not pan out the way they wanted it to, maybe they don't have that spouse that they dreamed of. Maybe they don't have the children that they dreamed up. Maybe not the home or the dream job, or the money whatever it is, there are people who just feel like failures because things haven't panned out in life and the way they hoped it would. Now I'm not discouraging having dreams and ambitions. I'm all for that but what I want to get through to you today is that this life is not the end of the story. There is an eternal life that is coming for everybody. For those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

It is going to be eternal life living in the presence of Almighty God for all of eternity. He says it in the father's house are many mansions and he's going to take us to that place where we will have many mansions in the Bible says of the day is coming when heaven is going to come down-to-earth, but is going to be a new and improved earth is going to be a renovated earth in which our Lord is going to read it of all sin is so that is going to be the eternal home for all who believe in Jesus Christ. So are you excited about that. Don't hold on so tight to this life.

This fallen world, the sinful world. The sin sick world because there are greater things to come. When we look back in eternity. Our lives on this earth is going to seem like just a a blink of an eye in comparison to eternity.

Maybe you're struggling in light maybe your suffering through some things, but I'm encouraging you to hold on to hold out because their great wonders that are waiting for us their great things that are going to to to calls us. We are in the presence of our Lord to fall down and worship them, but I don't want you to wait until then I want you to have that heart of worship for our Lord. Even today, you heard the saying that you you praise and in advance so I want you to go ahead and praise him now in advance. Don't wait until the time comes, in which everything is just right. Yes, he is the one who deserves all the honor he's the one who's deserving of all the glory.

And maybe again your suffering right now and I'm not trying to to minimize it. I'm not trying to make light of what you're going through. Whether his physical suffering, whether it's emotional, psychological, whatever it is I just want to encourage you that there are so many great things that we have to look forward to rig want to see as we continue to go through the series as we continue to go through the book of Revelation the great things that are in store for all who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, you know, a call to mind God's character. The sacrifice of his dearly beloved son, Jesus Christ. You think about the sacrifice that he made. You must praise him, you must recognize his power.

You must understand his greatness in us. The Holy Spirit leads us to worship him.

But if you are spiritually depleted. If you are spiritually poor. The desire for genuine in and in the longing for praise will not be there and that is why you need the Holy Spirit.

That is why Ashley today to accept Jesus Christ and invite the Holy Spirit to come in you not been in churches and I have seen how there is a lack of desire to praise our Lord. One of the things when I'm in church when, when, as a minister when I am out front leading the service I try to encourage people to give praises to our Lord.

Now, not a worship leader that I wish I could be a worship leader but I don't have a senior voice but in between songs is your is were transitioning in services, one of the things that I just love to do is to encourage people to give praises to our Lord that one of the things that I've always said is that I would never try to take people out of their comfort zone because understand the people have different personalities. Some are not comfortable with a lot of outward expression there introverted people. I'm certainly a reserve person myself and I will try. I will not tell people to do any more than to give the Lord a hand clap of praise, but I will encourage. I will say praise him less listers give him honor give him glory. And I don't understand it when I see people in church that don't have a desire again understand the maybe you're not quite comfortable but I want you to ask the Holy Spirit to release you if you are resistant to praising God. I want to encourage those who are leaders of the churches to encourage the people to invite the Holy Spirit in an enter just freely worship him because this amazing is that how you when you begin to worship our Lord, how things began to change problems in life go away. Marriages begin to get you people's physical bodies began to get you.

You can go in all down and depressed, but when you give praises to our Lord. You will come away rejoicing and it will be something that you says this can only be from the Lord because it surpasses all understanding. So I want you to pray to ask God to free you from that resistance, because there are so many things that our Lord has in store. We cannot imagine the great things that he has in store for all who put their faith and trust in you, but again it needs to be genuine and I was at a church once and it was one of those preachers who love to give instructions to what to do and I was sitting there present in the was costly telling people turn to your neighbor and say this turn to labor and do that turned you neighbor and whatever you know so I'll be honest, I participated for while I was a visitor at this church. My first time visiting, but after about the six or seven time of him say in turn to your neighbor do something.

I stopped because us that this is not genuine. This is not real and he took offense to it because he actually call he didn't call me out individually, but I do think he had me and mine.

I don't know if there's anyone else that took the same approach, but he said some of you were sitting out there like you crazy if you don't want to participate go sit in the back corner somewhere and I was very tempted to get up and walk out but I did not but I'm saying that to say this, our worship, our praise to our Lord should be genuine.

We don't go to church to to go to performance.

We don't go to church and I was thinking to myself if I wanted to go somewhere and get all these instructions, I would join an aerobics class but that is not wound there, but I am there to give genuine worship give genuine praise to our Lord. I want to encourage you to do the same there great things and awaiting in heaven for us. Trust in Jesus Christ trust in our Lord.

He loves us he loves us all, no matter what you're going through. Put your faith and trust in him. If you've never given your heart to Jesus Christ, I encourage you to do so today. Because you will experience a joy. You will experience experience a renewing this a a redemption that can only come through is power. He is worthy of all the glory. He is worthy of all the honor he is truly worthy of all the praise. On that note, that is going to do it for this week. Please come back and join us again next week.

Until then, remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem is God's great nation of Israel to the only wise God be glory through Jesus Christ, forever.

Amen. You can think of the Bible blame God for Ryan and I first was a right protected under our copyright is available@ourwebsite.org until next time great nation of Israel first