Read Revelation 4

“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)

This fourth chapter of Revelation is transcendent in every way. John — who was himself Jewish — had grown up reading the prophets of old, such as Ezekiel, Daniel and Isaiah, who themselves saw this heavenly vision (see Ezekiel 1:24-26; Daniel 7:9; Isaiah 6:1-4). Now he was experiencing it himself. And to our great joy, John takes us with him into the throne room of heaven and describes what he sees. It’s overwhelming! — a mixture of angelic worship with terrifying supernatural chaos. The angels proclaim God’s holiness in perfect synchronicity, all while lightnings, thunderings and voices proceed from the throne.

But what John hears is just as emphatic as what John sees. The four living creatures — who are themselves angelic beings — are crying out day and night:

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

Only moments after this, another group called the twenty four elders are described as falling down to worship Him who sits on the throne, casting their crowns before Him. In fact, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders are almost always described together in their acts of worship throughout Revelation (see Revelation 5:8; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4).

What do we make of these twenty four elders? Many have speculated that they symbolize the church because their attire is similar to the saints. More likely, however, they are another group of angels created for the purpose of worshipping God. Whatever the case may be of who they are, our observation of what they say is of greater importance.

“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”(Revelation 4:11)

What a humbling proclamation! God is worthy of all our praise because we would not exist unless He Himself willed it. Let that profound truth sink in. You exist because God willed it. Every breath you take and every beat of your heart is a gift of God that He, in the good pleasure of His will, has given to you. If this truth doesn't humble us and lead us to praise God for His great mercy, I don't know what will.

“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:16–17)

Even more, if God willed our existence, He must therefore also have a special purpose for our lives. God never does anything without purpose. And He desires that we live out the purpose which He has uniquely designed for our lives (see Isaiah 46:10; Romans 8:28). Dear friend, are you living according to God's purpose and will? Do you treat everyday as a gift from God, who has graciously brought you into existence? Oh! — may we praise Him as the angels in heaven do for having given us the gift of life! Even beyond — eternal life!

In light of such truths, may we walk humbling before our God today and each day thereafter.

“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:11–12)

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