Daily Devotional For April 1, 2025
After these things I saw, and behold a door was standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I heard, like a trumpet (cf. Rev 1:10), said to me, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” Rev 4:1.
The scene of Revelation 4 and 5 is one of the most dramatic in the Bible. It is even more glorious in the original language than it is in translation. I have never read this passage in Greek without tears in my eyes and an unbelievable thrill as my mind envisions what worship in heaven must be like. The scene starts slowly but then crescendos and crescendos until the entire universe becomes a single vast, antiphonal choir ringing out the praises of the Lamb and the One sitting on the throne (Rev 5:11-14). The scene then concludes as the four living creatures utter “Amen” followed by thunderous silence.
A danger readers face when going through a passage like Revelation 4 and 5 is the tendency to make too much of every detail and thereby miss its primary purpose. That purpose is to set forth the greatness of the heavenly throne room, the greatness of God and, therefore, the surpassing greatness of the Lamb that was slain. The throne room of God lays all earthly claims to power and glory in the dust. When one has had a glimpse of the open gates of heaven, it makes no sense any more to be afraid of earthly powers or even specific human beings. The passage invites us to place all sources of earthly intimidation in the shadows of God’s transcending power and glory, and to acknowledge Him as the one true object of worship. When we truly know Him, we will know what true worship is all about.
This is a message I need to hear. I have often allowed other human beings to influence me away from the path God wants me to tread. I remember the seventeen-year-old in seventh grade who was twice my size and tried to intimidate me to shoplift some candy. I remember the conference president who questioned my commitment to ministry, causing me to excel in busywork that looks good at the office, but doesn’t accomplish God’s best in real life.
I remember the boss who used the time-honored technique of blackmail with the result that I compromised my integrity in order to keep my job. I remember the attractions of a teacher I admired and how that led me to question teachings of the Bible that were perfectly clear. Can you understand why I buckled in these situations? Can you understand the power of intimidation and human attraction that so often steer us away from God’s purpose for our lives? There is only one possible response in light of the heavenly throne room: repent, bow down and acknowledge the only One who is truly worthy of my worship.
Lord, I feel convicted regarding the many times I have compromise my conscience to please some human being. I choose to repent and follow You alone today.