In what ways can "honor and power" influence our understanding of God's sovereignty? Setting the Scene: The Sevenfold Doxology “ ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever! Amen.’ ” (Revelation 7:12) In this heavenly chorus, “honor” and “power” sit side-by-side, spotlighting two facets of God’s sovereignty: His unrivaled worth and His unconquerable ability. Honor—Recognizing Sovereign Worth Honor describes the esteem, respect, and value rightly ascribed to God. Seeing honor in Revelation 7:12 deepens our grasp of sovereignty in at least four ways: • Authority that is unquestioned • 1 Timothy 1:17—“Now to the King eternal… be honor and glory forever and ever.” The honor due to God underscores His kingly right to rule every realm of life. • Moral perfection • Psalm 111:3—“Splendid and majestic is His work; His righteousness endures forever.” Sovereignty is not tyranny; it rests on flawless character worthy of all respect. • Ultimate priority • 1 Chronicles 29:11—“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness… and the honor.” If honor belongs to Him, every competing allegiance must bow, reminding us that sovereignty is exclusive. • Unending worship • Revelation 4:11—“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power.” Eternal honor means His reign is everlasting, never up for reelection. Power—Recognizing Sovereign Ability Power points to God’s might to enact His will. Embracing power in Revelation 7:12 brings four fresh angles to sovereignty: • Absolute capability • Jeremiah 32:17—“Nothing is too difficult for You.” Sovereignty includes the muscle to achieve every purpose. • Guaranteed fulfillment of promises • Romans 4:21—God was “fully able” to perform what He promised. His power turns covenant words into accomplished facts. • Unassailable rule over enemies • Revelation 19:1—“Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.” All opposition collapses before His throne, confirming that His sovereignty is never threatened. • Personal confidence for believers • Ephesians 1:19-21—His “incomparably great power” is “far above all rule and authority.” Knowing this power fuels trust and bold obedience. Living Under Sovereignty—Practical Implications Honor and power together shape daily discipleship: 1. Worship that is both reverent (honor) and exuberant (power). 2. Obedience that is joyful, trusting the One who deserves it (honor) and can enable it (power). 3. Security amid chaos—His honored name guarantees wisdom; His power guarantees outcome. 4. Humility—since all honor belongs to Him, and all power is His, pride has no foothold. Pulling It All Together Honor shows us God’s sovereignty is right; power shows it is real. When we join the heavenly voices of Revelation 7:12, we are not merely declaring abstract truths—we are aligning our hearts and lives with the Sovereign whose worth is infinite and whose might is invincible. |
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