The Praise Of Heavenly Beings And Of All Created Things

by John Drain, Belfast | Category: Worship | Sept 1964

The psalms which David wrote show very clearly that he had a profound knowledge of God. This knowledge is seen in Psalm 103 where David, in showing cause why God should be blessed, extends his invocation to the mighty heavenly beings. He says

"The LORD hath established His throne in the heavens;

And His kingdom ruleth over all.

Bless the LORD, ye angels of His:

Ye mighty in strength, that fulfil His word,

Hearkening unto the voice of His word.

Bless the LORD, all ye His hosts;

Ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure"

(Psalm 103.19-21).

Such words give to faith an impressive vision of heavenly splendour - the throne of God and its supreme Occupant, the loving service of obedient hosts of powerful angels.

In the Revelation which was given to John on the Isle of Patmos we receive further enlightenment on this important matter of the worshipping service of heavenly beings. John saw a door opened in heaven and he heard a voice which said, "Come up hither." He then saw a throne set in heaven and One sitting on the throne. Also round about the throne were twenty-four elders and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures. These we believe to be high-ranking beings in the angelic hierarchy. John, describing this wondrous scene, said,

"And the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within: and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, which was and which is and which is to come" (Revelation 4.8).

In the presence of the eternally existing One of infinite holiness and almighty power these heavenly creatures have no respite in their service. Who God is, draws from them glory and honour and thanks. It is important to realize that these ascriptions are due to God by reason of His essential Being. When the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks the elders say,

"Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honour and the power: for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they were, and were created" (Revelation 4. 11).

The elders recognize the worthiness of God not only because of the essential greatness of His Being but also because of the manifestation of His greatness in creation.

In Revelation 5 we see a further scene of heavenly glory and activity. But there is a different emphasis here. The Occupant of the throne holds a book which no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth is worthy to open. Then the weeping seer is caused to look upon One who is able to take and to open the book. This Person is the Lamb, who is also "the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David," the Lord Jesus Christ. As He stands forth to dominate that heavenly scene the living creatures and the elders prostrate themselves before Him, and sing a new song, saying,

"Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with Thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth."

Death and redemption are outstanding themes in this new song. The sacrifice of Christ and the redemption secured by it are celebrated. The voice of the living creatures and of the elders is joined by the voice of many millions of angels who say with a great voice,

"Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honour, and glory, and blessing."

To the praise of these wondrous beings of great intelligence and glory is added the praise of "every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in them ..." The theme of the praise of these created beings is

"Unto Him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honour and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever."

In Revelation 4 we see life and creation. In Revelation 5 we see death and redemption. Our minds may easily understand the propriety of these glorious heavenly beings in the angelic order worshipping God because of His essential greatness and because of the majesty of creation. It is important to observe their association with the praise which is given to God and to Christ because of what has been secured by the cross-work of Christ.

Yet another scene of heavenly service is presented in Revelation 7. John had a vision of the throne of heaven, and before it he saw a great and innumerable multitude of persons drawn from every nation. He learned that this vast assemblage was composed of persons who had come out of the great tribulation. They belong to a time future to the present dispensation of grace. They are those who will suffer in the terrible days of the persecution which the beast, the antichrist, will wage. As John watched them he heard them cry,

"Salvation unto our God which sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb."

The fearful conditions of that coming time will result in terrifying affliction and carnage. The salvation which these people will know will indeed be very sweet to them, and with full hearts they will give praise to God and to the Lamb. It is again significant to notice the reverential interest which mighty angels take in this demonstration of God's saving grace and power. When the voice of the great multitude who come out of the great tribulation is raised in the anthem,

"All the angels were standing round about the throne, and about the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen."

Thus we may see praise being given to God for His mighty works in creation, in redemption and in salvation.

From the foregoing examination of heavenly praise certain issues of practical importance emerge. First of all we draw attention to what may be referred to as the constitution of this praise. In Revelation 4.9 we have glory, honour and thanks; in Revelation 4.11 glory, honour, power; in Revelation 5. 12 power, riches, wisdom, might, honour, glory, blessing; in Revelation 5. 13, blessing, honour, glory, dominion; in Revelation 7.12 blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power, might. No doubt there is significance in the selection of the particular ascriptions on each occasion, but we wish only to emphasize that we find nine different constituents in this praise. There is indeed a wondrous balance of appreciation. We who worship God do well to observe this.

Secondly we would refer to the obvious reverence and awe with which the heavenly beings worship. Those who have any estimation of the holiness of God will recognize that such reverence and awe should ever characterize them in their service as worshippers. We live in a day of remarkable grace and privilege and liberty. But it is true that "our God is a consuming fire".

Thirdly we notice the use of the "Amen" by these great creatures. Are we sufficiently exercised as to our responsibility in saying the "Amen"? Too often the response is faint and cold. The writer of Psalm 106 said,

" Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,

From everlasting even to everlasting.

And let all the people say, Amen.

Praise ye the LORD,"

John Drain, Belfast | Sept 1964
Worship