Singing With The Saints

Each of these four living creatures had six wings and was covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day and night they never stop saying: 

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.
He was, he is, and he is coming.”

These living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever. Then the twenty-four elders bow down before the One who sits on the throne, and they worship him who lives forever and ever. They put their crowns down before the throne and say:
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, because you made all things. Everything existed and was made, because you wanted it.”    Revelation 4:8-11 (NCV, my emphasis)

The book of Revelation is one that is good to read even when there are parts that make me rub my forehead or scratch my head. There are some strange pictures that come to my mind as I read. Creatures with six wings and covered with eyes? Sounds like some special effects from a movie, doesn’t it?

What I do know from this passage (and these 5:9-14, 7:11-12, 11:16-18, 19:1-8) is that there will be a lot of worshiping of our LORD. John saw heaven and what he saw that was easy to describe was the worship. Whether it was a multitude that could not be counted or the “24 elders” who seem to have some special designation – all are worshiping God. Singing, dancing, bowing to the ground, lying with their face to the ground – all are worshiping God.

How much time do I spend worshiping God now? Am I prepared in my spirit for heaven? Do I “get” where I am headed?

There is nothing in Scripture that tells me that heaven is going to be some eternal dream vacation near a balmy, blue ocean or cool, majestic mountains. John and Daniel and Ezekiel have difficulty explaining the “place” that is heaven. They knew what oceans and mountains looked like but the “place” seems to be beyond their words. I believe that all the places I have seen so far – Niagra Falls, the Rocky Mountains, fields of flowers, rivers and oceans – are just a “glimpse” into what is to come. But as magnificent, extra-ordinary as that will be – those who have been given a larger look, do not spend their time talking about the place. They speak more about the worship.

Is worship of God, focused worship of God in which He is the only thought in my mind and spirit, only happening for one hour in my week? What about spending time just reading and soaking in the Word of God? What about turning on music and just singing (making a joyful noise had nothing to do with pitch and tone!) to my LORD about my love for Him, how wonderful He is, and how thankful I am? Do I kneel or bow in worship? Do I lift my hands and eyes with joy and praise?

Throughout scripture, I am called a “saint” of God. It means I belong to God and my allegiance is only to Him. One of these days I will be singing with the saints in that place that is indescribable. For now, I am blessed to live in a land that allows me to come together with other saints on the road to that eternal life and we can worship our LORD. It is a time of practice for the Glorious Forever Homecoming!

Singing With The Saints by John D. Rowsey, sung by The Gaither Vocal Band