In the Throne Room - Revelation 4:9-11

In the Throne Room

Revelation 4:9-11

Kenute P. Curry

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever (4:9).

Glory, honor, and thanks – The term “honor” is a word meaning “value.” The worthiness of God to receive such praise is related to His Sovereign right to rule as the One who sits upon the throne. The person who finds in the Scriptures the revelation of our great God, and who bows before Him now in this day of grace, is wise!

Who lives forever and ever – Scripture repeatedly affirms God’s eternity. He transcends time, and has no beginning and ending (Psalm 90:2; 93:2; 102:24-27; Isaiah 57:15; Micah 5;2; Habakkuk 1:12; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:15-16).  To know that God is eternal provides comfort for His children. God’s eternity guarantees that our eternal life in heaven will never cease (2 Corinthians 4:17).

The twenty-four 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 (4:10).

24 elders fall down before Him….cast their crowns before the throne – This is the first of 6 times that the elders prostrate themselves before God (Revelation 4:10; 5:8, 14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4). This posture is one of reverential worship to the majestic, holy, awe-inspiring glory of God. They are not preoccupied with their own excellence, or concerned about their own holiness, honor, or reward. All those things pale into insignificance and become meaningless in light of the glory of God.

“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.” (4:11).

You are worthy O Lord to receive glory, honor, and power – The second doxology of praise is also directed to God the Father. The word worthy (ἄξιος áxios, Gk.) was used of the Roman emperor when he marched in a triumphal procession. The focus of the elders’ song is on God’s glory manifested in creation. He is presented as Creator throughout Scripture (Revelation 10:6; Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; Isaiah 40:26, 28; Jeremiah 10:10-12; 32:17; Colossians 1:16). They are acknowledging that God has the right to redeem and to judge His creation. Their song anticipates paradise lost becoming paradise regained (Romans 8:19-22).

This first movement of the oratorio of praise pictures God about to judge Satan, demons, and sinners, and take back His creation – John MacArthur.

 Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible, © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

©2013 Kenute P. Curry. All rights reserved.