September 18 Daily Devotional

Worship Tied to Heaven

Peter G. Feenstra

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Revelation 4:1

Bible Reading

Revelation 4:1, 9–11; 5:8–10

Devotional

The most important activity of true believers is their worship of God. Worship signifies humble adoration and a recognition that the Lord is great and not to be thought of in human terms. In contemporary and modern religion there is an ever increasing desire to make worship attractive. It is suggested that a worshipper must be touched by the service in order for it to be meaningful. Anything that threatens to make those in attendance feel uncomfortable is removed from the service.

Revelation 4 and 5 give us a vivid description of the nature and character of true worship. John on Patmos sees an open door in heaven and is brought into the very presence of God; He is given a glimpse of heavenly worship. Through this vision we are taught several important principles for worship. Our worship on earth is to reflect and mirror the worship of heaven, it needs to be God-centred and focused on the ministry of Christ, and it puts us in contact with heaven and connects us with the angels and the redeemed who are gathered around the throne of God.

Our Lord Jesus sent His Spirit to earth so that we as church should have our sights on heaven. We may not cling to the outward forms and symbols of worship but we lift our hearts heavenward. When we worship God in Spirit and in truth, we do not allow ourselves to be distracted by human elements such as our feelings, emotions, desires or wants. Worship brings us into the presence of a holy God. His glory and majesty establishes the pattern and determines the style of worship in heaven and on earth.

Revelation 4 reveals an open door! Having received a glimpse into heaven, may our worship remain in tune with the symphony of praise that fills heaven’s halls. The worship of heaven teaches us to keep our eyes on Christ, the Lamb of God. He shed His blood to forgive sins. What He did in the past gives Him the authority to open the seals, meaning He controls the direction of history. Terrible things happen when the scroll is opened. But the scroll is not in the hands of a tyrant, Satan, or death, but it is given to our faithful Saviour. Come let us worship in the style of heaven!

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