The Climax Of Worship

By David E. Owen
Bible Book: Revelation  5
Subject: Worship; Heaven; Worthy Lamb of God
Introduction

When we talk about the climax of a worship service, we are talking about what everything else is leading up to in the service. And this varies in different religious traditions. For example, in the Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions, the climax of worship would be communion. In many circles, the singing has a pivotal and prioritized part in the service and thus becomes the climax of worship.

In most protestant traditions, the sermon is the climax of worship. Though I don’t know that “climactic” would be an apt description of some of the preaching that is taking place in our day.

I read that…

During a sermon one Sunday, the pastor heard two teenage girls in the back giggling and disturbing people. He interrupted his sermon and announced sternly, “There are two of you here who have not heard a word I’ve said.” That quieted them down. When the service was over, he went to greet people at the front door. Three different adults apologized for going to sleep in church, promising it would never happen again.

In one periodical, Wayne McKay of Lubbock, TX said…

For 25 years, part of my pastoral ministry has been to hold services in a nursing home. One of the “regulars” has her television remote control attached to the arm of her wheelchair. When my  attempts at being humorous fall flat, this dear lady aims the control at me and threatens to turn me off. One day, as she played her little joke, I laughed and told her she couldn’t turn me off. She smiled and replied, “I’m not trying to turn you off. I’m trying to get a different channel.”

The sermon may be the climax in many worship services, but it is not always climactic.

But one of these days, all of the preaching, and singing, and serving, and worshipping, and working, and weeping, and praying will lead to an ultimate climax of worship. And the central feature will not be a supper or a song or a sermon. The central feature and figure and focus will be the Savior. And the ongoing activity is worship.

In a sermon from Revelation 19 entitled “The Four Hallelujahs,” Dr. Harold Sightler said…

This generation is blighted with dead religion. Nothing has become a greater curse. The average church has no joy or reality. The average saint has never been filled with joy. In other words, the “hallelujahs” are few. We have lost the note of praise. … One fact remains; there will be hallelujahs in heaven. It is unthinkable to imagine Heaven with no shouting; no praises, no hallelujahs. As surely as Heaven is real; it is to be a place of joy “unspeakable and full of glory.” There will be shouting on the streets of glory. Not done by just a few; but all will join in the praises.

We try to imagine; yet we cannot. We try to tell the glories of Heaven; yet we cannot. We try to preach about our mansion; yet we cannot fully tell the glories of that city. When, for the first time, we see; the streets of gold, the mansions of ivory, the walls of jasper, the gates of pearls, the river of life, the throne of God, the saints redeemed, the tree of life, the Lamb who saved us; to the top of our voices we shall shout “hallelujah.”

Can you think of stepping inside the Eastern gate and casting your glorified eyes over the City of God for the first time? … There will be no quiet religion two steps inside the Eastern Gate. Had you been quiet and formal in your worship all your days upon this earth, all that you will lose when for the first time you see the salvation of the Lord. You will join with the others in lifting the Hallelujahs.

It will be a pinnacle experience. It will be a powerful experience. It will be a panoramic experience as the multitude of seraphim and saints and souls spreads out for miles, every voice lifted with one common refrain: “Worthy is the Lord … Worthy is the Lamb!” The English word “worship” comes from an old English word “worth-ship,” and it has to do with worthiness. So when we hear this refrain, “Worthy, worthy, worthy,” it is all about worship.

Years ago, Home Morris wrote these words…

When With The Savior We Enter The Glory Land, Won’t It Be Wonderful There? Ended The Troubles And Cares Of The Story Land, Won’t It Be Wonderful There?

But as we see the climactic scenes in the book of Revelation, we have to say, “Won’t it be Worshipful there?!”

I. There Is Climactic Worship In The Heavenly Crowd

(Revelation 4-5)

(Revelation 4:10) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

(Revelation 5:14) And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

A. Notice The Throne Environment Of Worship

(Revelation 4:1-11)

1. John Saw A Gathering Around The Throne

(Revelation 4:4) And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Warren Wiersbe said…

Who are these twenty-four elders seated on thrones? … These elders probably symbolize the people of God in heaven, enthroned and rewarded. There were twenty-four courses of priests in the Old Testament temple (1 Chronicles 24:3-5,18; see also Luke 1:5-9). God’s people are “kings and priests” (Revelation 1:6), reigning and serving with Christ. … Since there were twelve tribes of Israel and twelve Apostles, perhaps the number twenty-four symbolizes the completion of God’s people.

(Revelation 4:6) And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Wiersbe said…

They resemble the cherubim that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezekiel 1:4-14; 10:20-22), but their praise (Revelation 4:8) reminds us of the seraphim of Isaiah 6.

2. John Saw The Glory Before The Throne

(Revelation 4:8-11) 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. {9} And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, {10} The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, {11} Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

One writer said…

He is in the midst of the throne, and all ascribe their all to Him. Napoleon the First, after he had conquered empires, and planted his foot upon the neck of kingdoms, determined to be crowned Emperor. To give pageantry and lustre to the occasion, he compelled the Pope of Rome to be present. In the act of coronation, the emperor refused to receive the crown from the Pope; his proud spirit told him he had won it himself. He placed it upon his own brow, thus declaring to the spectators and the civilised world the fact that he was indebted to himself only for imperial power. There is nothing of this spirit in heaven; they all cast their crowns at the feet of Christ, and say, “Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.” (The Homilist from The Biblical Illustrator)

Warren Wiersbe said…

It is interesting to note that the name of God used here is “Lord God Almighty” (4:8). History tells us that this was the official title used by Emperor Domitian, who was responsible for the persecutions that sent John to Patmos. Men and women may honor themselves, but the day will come when everybody – great and small – will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord of all.

B. Notice The Triumphant Environment Of Worship

(Revelation 5:1-10)

1. We See The Prevailing Of The Lamb (5:1-7)

(Revelation 5:5) And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

prevailed – Greek 3528. nikao, nik-ah'-o; from G3529; to subdue (lit. or fig.):--conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.

Adam Clarke explained the following phrase by saying…

[As it had been slain] As if now in the act of being offered. This is very remarkable; so important is the sacrificial offering of Christ in the sight of God that he is still represented as being in the very act of pouring out his blood for the offences of man.

(Note: He who prevailed in His suffering as the slain Lamb now prevails in His sovereignty as the standing Lion.)

Clarke also said (in reference to the “seven horns” in verse 6) that a “horn is the emblem of power.” There are seven seals and seven horns, which indicates that His power is equal to the task.

2. We See The Praise Of The Lamb (5:8-10)

(Revelation 5:9) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred,  and tongue, and people, and nation;

worthy – Greek 514. axios, ax'-ee-os; prob. from G71; deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise):--due reward, meet, [un-] worthy.

C. Notice The Transcendent Environment Of Worship

(Revelation 5:11-14)

1. The Congregation Is Transcendent For The Worshippers Are Many

(Revelation 5:11) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

“Ten thousand times ten thousand” is 100 billion plus thousands of thousands.

Hebrews 12:22 refers to “an innumerable company of angels.” Add to that the saints of God from every age. Add to that the souls of all the babies that have been aborted, which according to some statistics is over 40 million since 1973 in the US alone, with 4,000 more being aborted every day.

(Revelation 5:13) And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

creature – Greek 2938. ktisma, ktis'-mah; from G2936; an original formation (concr.), i.e. product (created thing):--creature.

Adam Clarke said that there were “Myriads of myriads and chiliads of chiliads.” (1,000 elements)

2. The Cry Is Transcendent For The Words Are Moving (and Magnificent)

The Congregation was…

(Revelation 5:12) Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Adam Clarke said, “Here are seven different species of praise.”

He is worthy of authority (power), abundance (riches), acumen (wisdom), ability (strength), admiration (honour), amazement (glory), and adoration (blessing).

As for the Creatures...

(Revelation 5:13) And every creature (created thing) which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

It was W. M. Johnston who said…

The poet of Palestine had said, many a year before St. John lived, that there is neither speech nor language throughout the earth in which the voice of the firmament is not heard. “The songs of the spheres” was another method of expressing the same truth. The sky vibrates with praise as the great stars stand out in their places. “Earth, with its thousand voices,” said Coleridge, “praises God.” And while these call to man, whatever his tongue or his worship, man the world round feels that he must respond. He cannot help worshipping. (From The Biblical Illustrator)

II. There Is Climactic Worship In The Hallelujah Chorus

(Revelation 19:1-10 ?)

(Revelation 19:10) And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

A. Let’s Observe The Glorification There

(Revelation 19:1-6)

1. There Is An Obvious Word Of Glorification

(Revelation 19:1) And after these things I heard a great voice (one commentator said that is was a “roar”) of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

(Revelation 19:3) And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

(Revelation 19:4) And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

(Revelation 19:6) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Wiersbe said…

The word alleluia is the Greek form of the Hebrew word hallelujah, which means “praise the Lord.”

The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary says…

Yaah is not a contraction of Yahweh, since it sometimes occurs with the latter. It means ‘He who IS:’ Yahweh, ‘He who will be, is, and was.’ It implies God experienced a Present help.

Craig Keener said…

“Hallelujah” is frequent in the Psalms (cf. Psalms 146-150), a strong command to praise the Lord (a piel – it is the strongest possible command, probably originally uttered by the inspired Levite musicians summoning their hearers to worship); it was appropriate in all worship, especially in praising God for his magnificent acts. (From the IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament)

2. There Are Other Words Of Glorification

(Revelation 19:1) And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

Albert Barnes explained that “All that there is of honor, glory, power, in the redemption of the world belongs to God, and should be ascribed to him.”

In other words, when it comes to “salvation, and glory, and honour, and power,” it can only be associated with God. For He is the sole author of salvation, and glory (doxa – dignity, praise, worship), honour (esteem of the highest degree), and power (dunamis – miraculous power) belong only to Him.

(Revelation 19:5) And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, the word “praise” means “to praise, extol and sing praises in honor of God.”

B. Let’s Observe The Government There (Revelation 19:2,6)

1. We See The Authoritative Decisions Of God

(Revelation 19:2) For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Matthew Henry wrote…

The fall of Babylon being fixed, finished, and declared to be irrecoverable in the foregoing chapter, this begins with a holy triumph over her, in pursuance of the order given forth: Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, ch. 18:20. They now gladly answer the call; and here you have the form of their thanksgiving, in that heavenly and most comprehensive word, Alleluia, praise you the Lord. They praise him for the truth of his word, and the righteousness of his providential conduct, especially in this great event – the ruin of Babylon, which had been a mother, nurse, and nest of idolatry, lewdness, and cruelty.

2. We See The Absolute Dominion Of God

(Revelation 19:6) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

omnipotent – Greek 3841. pantokrator, pan-tok-rat'-ore; from G3956 and G2904; the all-ruling, i.e. God (as absolute and universal sovereign):--Almighty, Omnipotent.

He comprises the judicial and executive branches of His own government!

C. Let’s Observe The Gladness There

(Revelation 19:7)

(Revelation 19:7) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

1. Consider The Rejoicing Of Gladness

glad – Greek 5463. chairo, khah’ee-ro; a prim. verb; to be “cheer”ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impers. espec. as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well:--farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hail, joy (-fully), rejoice.

It has the idea of rejoicing in an exceeding way. It also has the idea of perfect joy.

rejoice – Greek 21. agalliao, ag-al-lee-ah'-o; from agan (much) and G242; prop. to jump for joy, i.e. exult:--be (exceeding) glad, with exceeding joy, rejoice (greatly).

2. Consider The Reason Of Gladness

for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready Wiersbe said…

At a wedding, it is customary to focus attention on the bride; but in this case, it is the Bridegroom who receives the honor!

“What did the bride wear?” is the usual question asked after a wedding. The Lamb’s bride is dressed “in the righteous acts of the saints” (literal translation). When the bride arrived in heaven at the judgment Seat of Christ, she was not at all beautiful (in fact, she was covered with spots, wrinkles, and blemishes according to Paul in Ephesians 5:27); but now she is radiant in her glory. She has “made herself ready” for the public ceremony.

Jewish weddings in that day were quite unlike weddings in the Western world. First, there was an engagement, usually made by the parents when the prospective bride and groom were quite young this engagement was binding and could be broken only by a form of divorce. Any unfaithfulness during the engagement was considered adultery.

When the public ceremony was to be enacted, the groom would go to the bride’s house and claim her for himself. He would take her to his home for the wedding supper, and all the guests would join the happy couple. This feast could last as long as a week.

Today, the church is “engaged” to Jesus Christ; and we love Him even though we have not seen Him

(1 Peter 1:8). One day, He will return and take His bride to heaven (John 14:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). At the Judgment Seat of Christ, her works will be judged and all her spots and blemishes removed. This being completed, the church will be ready to return to earth with her Bridegroom at the close of the Tribulation to reign with Him in glory (see Luke 13:29; Matthew 8:11). Some students believe that the entire Kingdom Age will be the “marriage supper.”

III. There Is Climactic Worship In The Holy City

(Revelation 22:1-10)

(Revelation 22:9) Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Bob Kauflin, Director of Worship Development for Sovereign Grace Ministries said…

I was leading worship at a conference and should have been exhilarated. After praying with the worship team I headed up the stairs to start the meeting. The room was overflowing, the atmosphere electric. Every heart was ready to praise God. Well, almost. From the outside I’m sure no one could tell what I was thinking. That was a good thing. As I made my way to the stage, I suddenly found myself battling doubts.

What difference will this make tonight? Will it have any eternal value? People will sing, raise their hands, get excited . . . and go home. And I’ll do this over and over and over again. For the rest of my life. Suddenly it all seemed empty. Dry. Pointless. Ever been there? Have you found yourself wondering where your joy went or if what you do really matters?

After worship services, there is always an element of coming down from the mountain. For me, there is sometimes a physical exhaustion and a spiritual and emotional heaviness that follows a time of worship. But we are going to a realm where we will not come down from the experience, but it will be a peacefulness that passes human understanding. It is such a climax of worship that we see in the continuing description of the “holy Jerusalem” (21:2,10) in Revelation 22.

A. Notice The Amazing River

(Revelation 22:1)

(Revelation 22:1) And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

1. Consider The Features Of This River

Some indicate that the word “pure” is not there in the original text. However Strong’s Concordance offers this definition…

pure – Greek 2513. katharos, kath-ar-os'; of uncert. affin.; clean (lit. or fig.):--clean, clear, pure.

clear – Greek 2986. lampros, lam-pros'; from the same as G2985; radiant; by analogy limpid (clear and transparent); fig. magnificent or sumptuous (in appearance):--bright, clear, gay, goodly, gorgeous, white.

This river looked like the most magnificent of crystalline formations; flawless and smooth. Barnes said…

The phrase “water of life,” means living or running water, like a spring or fountain, as contrasted with a stagnant pool. The allusion here is doubtless to the first Eden, where a river watered the garden (Genesis 2:10, seq.), and as this is a description of Eden recovered, or Paradise regained.

2. Consider The Flow Of This River

proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb

proceeding – Greek 1607. ekporeuomai, ek-por-yoo'-om-ahee; from G1537 and G4198; to depart, be discharged, proceed, project:--come (forth, out of), depart, go (forth, out), issue, proceed (out of).

The Pulpit Commentary says…

The source of the river was in the Divine throne, the seat of the Triune God and the crucified Saviour. All eternal life is derived from our heavenly Father

In Ezekiel 47, there is water flowing from the temple. But here, the water is flowing from the Throne of God and of the Lamb.

B. Notice The Atmosphere Of Rest

(Revelation 22:2-5)

1. It Is A Better Realm Than This

(Revelation 22:2-3) In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. {3} And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

healing – Greek 2322. therapeia, ther-ap-i'-ah; from G2323; attendance (spec. medical, i.e. cure); fig. and collec. domestics:--healing, household.

curse – Greek 2652. katanathema, kat-an-ath'-em-ah; from G2596 (intens.) and G331; an imprecation:--curse.

The word suggests that which is related to the curse. In Emmanuel’s land there is a constant cure and a conquered curse!

2. It Is A Brighter Realm Than This

(Revelation 22:4-5) And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. {5} And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary says…

Once again John wrote that the glory and light of the New Jerusalem will be the presence of God, with no artificial illumination (cf. 21:23-24).

C. Notice The Angel’s Remarks

(Revelation 22:6-10)

1. The Sayings Of The Book Need To Be Preserved

He Indicated That The Sayings Of The Book Need To Be Preserved

(Revelation 22:6-9) And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

{7} Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. {8} And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. {9} Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings  of this book: worship God.

keepeth – Greek 5083. tereo, tay-reh'-o; from teros (a watch; perh. akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, prop. by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is prop. to prevent escaping; and from G2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. to note (a prophecy; fig. to fulfil a command); by impl. to detain (in custody; fig. to maintain); by extens. to withhold (for personal ends; fig. to keep unmarried):--hold fast, keep (-er), (ob-, pre-, re) serve, (preserve), watch.

2. The Sayings Of The Book Need To Be Proclaimed

He Indicated That The Sayings Of The Book Need To Be Proclaimed

(Revelation 22:10) And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

seal – Greek 4972. sphragizo, sfrag-id'-zo; from G4973; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (lit. or fig.); by impl. to keep secret, to attest:--(set a, set to) seal up.

Albert Barnes said…

The events which John had predicted, though in their ultimate development they were to extend to the end of the world, and even into eternity, were about to begin to be fulfilled, and were to be of immediate use in consoling a persecuted church. John, therefore, was directed not to seal up his predictions; not to lay them away, to be opened, as it were, in distant ages; but to leave them open,  so that a persecuted church might have access to them, and might, in times of persecution and trial, have the assurance that the principles of their religion would finally triumph.

Conclusion

In speaking of “The Hallelujah Chorus” of Handel’s “Messiah,” Wikipedia.org says…

The most famous movement (of Handel’s “Messiah”) is the “Hallelujah” chorus, which concludes the second of the three parts. The text is drawn from three passages in the New Testament book of Revelation: And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:6) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. (Revelation 19:16)

In many parts of the world, it is the accepted practice for the audience to stand for this section of the performance. Tradition has it that King George II rose to his feet at this point. As the first notes of the triumphant Hallelujah Chorus rang out, the king rose. Royal protocol has always demanded that whenever the monarch stands, so does everyone in the monarch’s presence. Thus, the entire audience stood too, initiating a tradition that has lasted more than two centuries. It is lost to history the exact reason why the King stood at that point, but the most popular explanations include: As was and is the custom, one stands in the presence of royalty as a sign of respect. The Hallelujah chorus clearly places Christ as the King of Kings. In standing, King George II accepts that he too is subject to Lord of Lords.

He was so moved by the performance that he rose to his feet.

He arrived late to the performance, and the crowd rose when he finally made an appearance.

His gout acted up at that precise moment and he rose to relieve the discomfort.

After an hour of musical performance, he needed to stretch his legs.

There is a story told (perhaps apocryphally) that Handel’s assistant walked in to Handel’s room after shouting to him for several minutes with no response. The assistant reportedly found Handel in tears, and when asked what was wrong, Handel held up the score to this movement and said, “I have seen the face of God.”