What does "worthy are You, our Lord and God" teach about God's nature? The Heavenly Scene That Frames the Phrase Revelation 4 places us in the throne room of heaven. Living creatures cry “Holy, holy, holy,” elders cast their crowns, and the entire scene centers on God’s throne. In that real, literal setting, the elders declare: “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and came to be.” (Revelation 4:11) Everything about the statement “Worthy are You, our Lord and God” flows out of that throne‐room reality. --- Why the Word “Worthy” Matters • Worthy speaks of intrinsic value—not something earned by performance but possessed by nature. • It echoes Psalm 145:3, “Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.” • Because God’s worth is inherent, the elders don’t negotiate the level of praise; they recognize an established fact. What this teaches about God’s nature: 1. He is self‐sufficient; His worth does not depend on anyone else’s opinion. 2. His perfection invites, even demands, worship. --- “Our” Lord—Personal Yet Transcendent • The elders say “our,” signaling relationship without diminishing majesty. • It brings Exodus 3:14 to mind—Yahweh is I AM, yet He calls Israel “My people.” • This twofold truth—transcendent God, personal covenant Lord—runs through Scripture (Psalm 100:3). What this teaches about God’s nature: 1. He is relational; He binds Himself to people in covenant love. 2. He remains exalted while drawing near. --- Lord—Absolute Sovereignty • “Lord” (Greek: Kyrios) acknowledges ownership and authority. • 1 Chronicles 16:31 proclaims, “The LORD reigns!” The heavenly elders agree. • Every throne on earth is derivative; only His is ultimate. What this teaches about God’s nature: 1. He rules over all creation without rival. 2. His decisions are final and righteous. --- God—The One True Deity • The elders combine “Lord” with “God” (Theos), leaving no room for lesser deities or competing powers. • Isaiah 45:5: “I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me.” What this teaches about God’s nature: 1. He is uniquely divine—utterly separate from creation. 2. Every attribute of deity (eternity, omnipotence, holiness) finds its fullness in Him alone. --- The Creator Foundation of His Worthiness • The verse attaches worthiness to creation: “for You created all things.” • John 1:3; Colossians 1:16–17; Romans 11:36 reinforce that all things come from, through, and for God. Key implications: - Creation is not an accident; it springs from God’s deliberate will. - Because He fashioned everything, He owns everything—including glory, honor, and power. --- Echoes of the Cry Throughout Scripture • Isaiah 6:3—Seraphim declare His holiness, mirroring the Revelation vision. • Psalm 29:1–2—“Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength… worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.” • Philippians 2:9–11—Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord, aligning earth with heaven’s proclamation. Together, these passages present a unified choir: God is worthy, supreme, and holy. --- Living in Light of His Worthiness • Worship is more than song; it is surrender of “glory and honor and power” to the One who already owns them. • Recognizing His worth strengthens trust: the sovereign Creator is also “our” Lord who invites relationship. • His unchanging nature provides an anchor when earthly thrones totter. The elders’ declaration is not merely heavenly liturgy; it is the ongoing, unshakable truth about God’s nature—He is infinitely worthy, eternally sovereign, and personally involved with His people. |
    |