Worship Before the Throne

Scripture: Revelation 5:12 (KJV)
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."

Personal Reflection

Every act of worship on earth points forward to a greater worship yet to come. The day is approaching when every redeemed sinner will stand before the throne of God and behold the Lamb face to face.

The worship of heaven is centered entirely upon Christ. There are no distractions there, no divided affections, no wandering thoughts. Every eye is fixed upon the Lamb who was slain and who redeemed His people by His blood.

What a glorious day that will be! Faith will become sight. Prayer will become praise. Struggle will give way to victory. We shall no longer worship through weakness and imperfection but with hearts fully purified and minds completely renewed.

The saints in heaven do not praise themselves for choosing Christ. They praise Christ for saving them. They do not celebrate their own faithfulness but His faithfulness. Their song is one of grace from beginning to end.

This heavenly reality should transform our worship now. Every hymn, every prayer, every act of devotion is preparation for eternity. We are learning on earth the song we shall sing forever in heaven.

The believer's hope is not merely escaping judgment. Our hope is seeing Christ. The greatest joy of heaven is not the absence of sorrow but the presence of the Savior.

Until that glorious day, we worship by faith. Soon we shall worship by sight.

Contemplation

Do I long for Christ's appearing and the worship of heaven?

Puritan Quote

Richard Baxter wrote:

"My knowledge of that life is small, the eye of faith is dim; but 'tis enough that Christ knows all, and I shall be with Him."

Prayer

Lord Jesus, keep my heart fixed upon eternity. Help me live in anticipation of the day when I shall see You face to face and worship You forever. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Application

Read Revelation chapters 4 and 5 slowly. Imagine yourself among the redeemed worshipping before the throne, and spend time praising Christ as the Lamb who was slain for your salvation.