Thursday, March 6, 2008

Holy, Holy, Holy

I read something in Beth Moore's "Beloved Disciple" which I thought was a powerful observation.


"The holy place was the room where the priests ministered on a daily basis... the most holy place, which the high priest entered only once a year with fear and trembling... the term 'most holy place' actually repeats the original word for holy...'the holy holy'... We will join the seraph who cry 'Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty" (Rev 4:8)... Perhaps like me, you try to distinguish between members of the holy Trinity. Whom did John picture on the throne...? Before we immediately assume God the Father as the occupant or no distinction at all, please read Revelation 5:6. Where is the Lamb (Christ) depicted as standing? [Click here for the answer] I don't beleive the revelator meant us to picture Christ standing up on a chair. Our familiarity with a throne is entirely related to a piece of furniture. The word 'throne' seems to encompass the center, from which Christ presides with all authority... According to the comparisons with Daniel 7 and Revelation 5, both the Father and the Son inhabit the throne room. Could it be that in the OT God wanted most to reveal Christ and in the NT Christ wanted most to reveal God? I think it's quite possible and very likely of each of Them to shed light on the other"


Then I read Revelation 4 and 5, compared the words with which "the Lord God" and "the Lamb" were worshiped... imagine myself there... and wrangling over human "authority" grows strangely dim.

Rev 4:11"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
~
Rev 5:11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering
thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled
the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!"
13Then I heard every creature in
heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them,
singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"
14The four living creatures said, "Amen,"
and the elders fell down and worshiped.

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