The one sitting on the throne was brilliant as gemstones… and the glow of an emerald circled His throne like a rainbow… from the throne came flashes of lightening and the rumble of thunder… around the throne were four living beings… Day after day, night after night they kept on saying, “holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty – the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Revelation 4:3-8
Then everyone – the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person – all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they cried… “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.” Revelation 6:15-16
…And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. Revelation 7:11
Wow. This is the picture of God I was introduced to by a friend at our team debrief. It’s humorous to read this then look at the way Jesus is depicted in every Mardel store – stroking little lambs dressed in pastels being hugged by flowers in a meadow somewhere. That picture doesn’t seem like it would make people ask mountains to fall on them to escape seeing His face or wrath.
When I sat in worship, thinking about the glory of God and what it truly looks like, I was overcome with humility and longing. Right then and there I realized I want nothing more than to be there with my face on the ground worshiping this terrifyingly amazing God. I want my whole life to look like that – laying face down crying out “holy, holy, holy is MY Lord God Almighty!” because when I think about it, what else is there to do?
The God sitting on the throne, surrounded by beings who are unable to look at His face because His glory is too much to take in, is. He is as real as my right hand, and that should scare you. He sits on a “great white throne” with “eyes like fire” and a “sharp two-edged sword” for a tongue. He is coming to judge the world and pour out His wrath. But for some reason I have yet to figure out, He leans His ear to us and listens when we cry out to Him. He sits as creator of the heavens and the earth, yet He knows every detail of your life, every thought in your mind, every word before it crosses your lips. Who are we to even utter His name? Who are we to be considered friends of His?
The importance of recognizing the Majesty and glory of the One we serve is immeasurable. I realized that I had been taking advantage of His promises and truths as if I deserved them – living day by day to see how they could benefit me, wondering why it seemed they didn’t at times. But seeing now how powerful He is has humbled me into complete surrender of everything I am. I waste so much time worrying about my little life, when in reality it isn’t even about me. It’s about God’s will, God’s purpose, and God’s kingdom. All I know is that all my life I want every aspect of who I am to reflect and be glorifying to this incredible God that I get to call mine. I pray that I never forget to put into perspective the One I serve and owe everything to.
