The Holiness of God: Heavenly Hosts Adore
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The holiness of God is a central theme throughout the Scriptures, reflecting His absolute purity, moral perfection, and separation from sin. This divine attribute is not only acknowledged by humanity but is also profoundly revered by the heavenly hosts. The adoration of God's holiness by celestial beings underscores His supreme majesty and the reverence He commands in the heavenly realms.

Biblical Depictions of Heavenly Adoration

In the vision of the prophet Isaiah, the seraphim, a class of angelic beings, are depicted as worshiping God with profound reverence. Isaiah 6:3 records their continuous proclamation: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory." This thrice-repeated declaration of God's holiness emphasizes its significance and the awe it inspires among the heavenly hosts. The seraphim cover their faces and feet with their wings, signifying their humility and reverence in the presence of God's holiness.

Similarly, the apostle John, in the book of Revelation, describes a scene of heavenly worship where the four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind, never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!" (Revelation 4:8). This continuous adoration by the living creatures highlights the eternal nature of God's holiness and His unchanging character.

The Role of Angels in Worship

Angels, as part of the heavenly hosts, play a significant role in the worship and adoration of God's holiness. Psalm 103:20-21 calls upon the angels to bless the Lord, stating, "Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength, who carry out His word, who hearken to the voice of His command. Bless the LORD, all His hosts, you servants who do His will." The angels' obedience and worship are direct responses to God's holy nature and His sovereign authority.

In the New Testament, the birth of Jesus Christ is heralded by a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!" (Luke 2:14). This angelic proclamation not only celebrates the incarnation of Christ but also reflects the holiness of God manifest in His redemptive plan for humanity.

The Significance of God's Holiness

The holiness of God is foundational to His identity and is intricately linked to His glory. The heavenly hosts' adoration serves as a model for human worship, inviting believers to approach God with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28-29 exhorts believers to "worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." This call to worship is rooted in the recognition of God's holiness and the transformative power it holds.

The adoration of God's holiness by the heavenly hosts also serves as a reminder of the ultimate purpose of creation: to glorify God. As the psalmist declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands" (Psalm 19:1). The entire cosmos, including the heavenly beings, participates in the worship of the Creator, acknowledging His holiness and majesty.

Conclusion

The holiness of God, as adored by the heavenly hosts, is a profound testament to His unparalleled nature and the reverence He commands. Through the worship of celestial beings, believers are invited to join in the eternal chorus of praise, recognizing the holiness of God as central to their faith and worship.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 6:3
And one cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 4:8
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Twelfth Day. The Thrice Holy One.
... of the Spirit, to His leading as the Spirit of Holiness, look to ... Children of God! ...
that inner stillness, in which the worship of the heavenly Sanctuary alone ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/twelfth day the thrice holy.htm

The General Service to one Hierarch.
... forth unto us the Source of holiness " the Ever ... is not possible for men to behold
God on Whom ... the Incarnate Word; Him magnifying, with heavenly hosts we call ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter x the general service.htm

The Service Common to the Festivals of the Holy virgin.
... thee for refuge everything becometh full of holiness, and we ... Him Who ever reigneth
over the heavenly and earthly ... abyss of the Hypostatical Wisdom of God in the ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter ii the service common.htm

The Being of God
... are moved by the influence and motion of the heavenly bodies; the ... The wisdom, love,
and holiness of God the Father, shine forth ... Oh, have God-admiring thoughts! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the being of god.htm

The Angel's Message and Song
... in adjusting the demands of His holiness, justice, and ... Assuredly this song of the
heavenly hosts is not the ... were indifferent to the glory of God, and strangers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon x the angels message.htm

Israel and Britain. A Note of Warning
... thing to see how Jesus fills the heavenly places; in ... as plainly as we can for truth
and holiness, whether we ... still to thunder out the law of God, and proclaim ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/israel and britain a note.htm

Glorious Predestination
... in the word has testified to us our Heavenly Father's dove ... begotten in us a nature
which loves holiness and cannot sin, because it is born of God; we are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/glorious predestination.htm

Messiah the Son of God
... He instructs in heavenly things by earthly. ... to the flesh, was declared to be the
Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxvii messiah the son.htm

Thoughts Upon the Mystery of the Trinity.
... so we would excel them also in the Holiness of our ... Ghost, the Comforter; still joyning
with the heavenly Choire, and saying, "Holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon the mystery of.htm

A Song among the Lilies
... With me, ye heavenly hosts, rejoice ... day, and mine by night; mine when I walk in holiness,
ay, and ... It is well to bless God that others have a possession in Christ ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/a song among the lilies.htm

Resources
What is the Holiness movement / church? | GotQuestions.org

What is the highway of holiness (Isaiah 35:8)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about holiness? What does it mean to be holy? | GotQuestions.org

Holiness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Holiness

Holiness Holy

Holiness is the Result of God's Keeping

Holiness is the Result of Subjection to God

Holiness is the Result of The Manifestation of God's Grace

Holiness is the Result of Union With Christ

Holiness of God

Holiness: Becoming to the Church

Holiness: Behaviour of Aged Women should be As Becomes

Holiness: Chastisements are Intended to Produce, in Saints

Holiness: Christ: An Example of

Holiness: Christ: Desires for his People

Holiness: Christ: Effects, in his People

Holiness: Commanded

Holiness: David

Holiness: General Scriptures Concerning

Holiness: Israel

Holiness: John the Baptist

Holiness: Ministers should Avoid Everything Inconsistent With

Holiness: Ministers should be Examples of

Holiness: Ministers should Exhort To

Holiness: Ministers should Possess

Holiness: Motives to The Dissolution of all Things

Holiness: Motives to The Glory of God

Holiness: Motives to The Love of Christ

Holiness: Motives to The Mercies of God

Holiness: Necessary to God's Worship

Holiness: None Shall See God Without

Holiness: Paul

Holiness: Promise to Women Who Continue In

Holiness: Promised to the Church

Holiness: Prophets

Holiness: Required in Prayer

Holiness: Saints: Called To

Holiness: Saints: Elected To

Holiness: Saints: Have Their Fruit To

Holiness: Saints: New Created In

Holiness: Saints: Possess

Holiness: Saints: Shall be Presented to God In

Holiness: Saints: Shall Continue In, for Ever

Holiness: Saints: should Continue In

Holiness: Saints: should Follow After

Holiness: Saints: should Have Their Conversation In

Holiness: Saints: should Present Their Bodies to God In

Holiness: Saints: should Seek Perfection In

Holiness: Saints: should Serve God In

Holiness: Saints: should Yield Their Members As Instruments of

Holiness: should Lead to Separation from the Wicked

Holiness: The Character of Christ, the Standard of

Holiness: The Character of God, the Standard of

Holiness: The Church is the Beauty of

Holiness: The Gospel the Way of

Holiness: The Wicked are Without

Holiness: The Word of God the Means of Producing

Holiness: Wives of Patriarchs

The Holiness of God is Incomparable

The Holiness of God is Pledged for the Fulfilment of His Judgments

The Holiness of God is Pledged for the Fulfilment of His Promises

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Character

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Kingdom

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Name

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Words

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Works

The Holiness of God: Heavenly Hosts Adore

The Holiness of God: Requires Holy Service

The Holiness of God: Saints are Commanded to Imitate

The Holiness of God: Saints should Praise

The Holiness of God: should be Magnified

The Holiness of God: should Produce Reverential Fear

Related Terms

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Works
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