A reflection on Revelation 1:4-8, 17-18; 4:8-11; 5:8-14;
7:9-12; 11:15-17; 15:3-4; 16:5-7; 19:1-7; 22:13, 16
The primary purpose of prophecy is not to give us a roadmap for the future but to give us God’s perspective. Through prophecy, the reality of God shatters our false, materialistic view of life. Through prophecy, we see Him as the focus of our daily world and our eternal destiny.
As a book of prophecy, Revelation exalts God as the center of life, as its Beginning and end, its Source and Goal. Thus it is not surprising that such a God-centered book is permeated with worship and praise. Reading through its praise passages, several basic truths become clear:
- Praise is a simple, honest acknowledgement that God is, and that He is who He says He is. Praise acknowledges God, what He has done, and what He is doing. We don’t need advanced intelligence or complex reasoning to praise God. Praise is simple faith’s response to God and the truth about Him:
God is the Creator. All that is flows from Him.
God is eternal, enveloping all the past, present, and future.
God is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End and
everything in-between. He is the All-in-all.
God is holy, both transcendent and pure.
God is our Redeemer. He saved us from sin through the death of His Son.
God is worthy of all worship, power, wisdom, riches, and glory.
In His own perfect time, God will re-assert His complete control over creation and will judge our world in righteousness.
- As we focus on God, praise draws us deeper and deeper into His magnificence. Seeing God, we think and talk less about ourselves and more about Him.
- Among those who know and trust God, praise is contagious. Praise often causes other believers to join in the praise. Praise spreads. Praise will crescendo until it envelops all creation (Revelation 5:8-14).
Do you long to praise God in a way that is pleasing to Him? Immerse yourself in the praise and worship of Revelation.
Listen and sing:
Hymn: Revelation Worship
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics
