Perpetual worship
by Pastor Tim Klein
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Day and night they never stopped singing, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, the all-powerful God, who was and is and is coming’ (Revelation 4:8).
Read Revelation 4:1–8
As teenagers in Perth, we would gather every Friday night at one of our group homes for fellowship and worship. We would read the word and reflect on it. We would pray and sing … sometimes well into the early hours, till sleep won us over.
So when I read and try to imagine the vision John was given about the incredible scene that opened up to him and the living creatures around the throne of God who never stopped singing, I can only marvel at what is happening there. This is an extraordinary revelation and expression of the kingdom that waits for you and me.
But in the meantime, we are limited. So, what do we listen for here in these verses?
Perhaps our foretaste of heaven is to be reminded of the complete holiness and awesome reality of God’s glory as described in this revelation and to grow in worship. And that’s what God wants. He wants us to worship him – to acknowledge his majesty, to be in awe of him. He wants us to live our lives with this sense of the imminent presence of the Lord so that our lives – our whole lives – are acts of worship!
They sing it over and over again: ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, the all-powerful God, who was and is and is coming.’
They are describing and honouring our God – the maker of heaven and earth, our Redeemer, the one who gives us life every day – perpetually. Can we join with them so that our lives are truly perpetual lives of worship? I would like to hope for that. As a sinner, I know I fall down on the job – like those teenagers in Perth who fell asleep. But I know, too, that the Lord comes to me, forgives me, picks me up, and, with his Spirit, continues to inspire my life as an act of worship of our awesome God.
Almighty God, our minds limit us. We cannot fully grasp the immensity of your holiness. Nevertheless, keep inspiring us as your people in everything we do so that our lives honour and worship you in every circumstance. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for over 30 years in Australia and New Zealand and is currently at Faith Warradale in South Australia. Husband to his wife, father of three and grandfather of more than nine. Tim says he is living in hope. He enjoys gardening (especially his orchard of over 60 trees, succulents and flowering plants), making music (he loves to sing), beekeeping and taking photos.
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