Indescribable

Scripture--Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”  Revelation 4:11

Observation--Ezekiel and John both try to use terms we understand to describe the throne of heaven in these passages. They both use descriptions of semiprecious and precious stones and metals to describe the colors they saw: chrysolite, jasper, carnelian, sapphire, emerald, gold, crystal.  Yet, I'm having a hard time seeing what the throne looks like, and not just because I had to look up some of the stones.  And the four beasts.  I can picture the individual faces, and wings, and hands, but how does that work all together?  I suddenly see a cross between Napoleon Dynamite's Liger and "Trogdor the Burninator." 

Film makers have captured the imaginations of millions with amazing cinematography, live action and/or CG.  I wonder if the writers of Scripture had the technology we have available today--CGI animation, the magic of Industrial Light and Sound--could they describe it in a way I could better understand?  

Tangent.  Look at the change in technology used in film.  Compare the 1930's King Kong to any of the last three versions to have come out in the last decade.  Compare Star Wars: A New Hope to Revenge of the Sith.  The Ten Commandments to The Prince of Egypt.  Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Aslan's kingdom in The Chronicles of Narnia movies.  The realm of Asgard in Thor.  

Man, if John and Ezekiel could use those tools to describe what they saw....I still am not sure I could see what the throne looks like.  Who God really is.  The reason being, with our finite minds, I think humans cannot adequately describe the throne of God, let alone God Himself.  

Don't get me wrong.  I believe God has revealed through His Word descriptions of Him, of His character, of His Kingdom.  But, I don't think full understanding will happen until we stand before him.  And, I don't think it will all be understood in a day.

So, why did I write all that when the verse that stuck out to me had to do with a quote of the 24 elders that sit around the throne.  We know very little about them. Who are they? Where did they come from? Is that really all they do, say this phrase when the living creatures praise/thank God?


It's what they say that resonated within me.  I don't know that they even have a complete understand of God.  That is not of importance.  What they say is of great importance.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”


God created the universe.  God created me.  For that alone, he deserves to receive glory and honor and praise from me.


Application--Often, I become so focused on other things that I neglect to focus on God, on spending time with Him.  That's evident in the frequency of my journal entries and blog posts.  Sure, I acknowledge with my words that he created me.  That I, as a wretched human being am lost without Him, and that I need His leadership in my day-to-day happenings.  I will quote the psalmist in stating that the whole earth (and universe) is the Lord's, and everything in it.  But, do I truly take time to acknowledge with my heart that His Lordship is worthy of my praise?  I need to take time to do that, and that time needs to be when I pause and reflect on His Word.  

I may not even be able to adequately describe my thanks and praise to Him, but I need to make a daily attempt at it.


Prayer--God, thanks for the blessings that you have given me in family, friends, daily provisions, talents and dreams.  Help me to not lose sight of you in the circumstances I encounter daily.  Remind me that when I fail, I can still enter your indescribable throne room to find grace and mercy to help in a time of need.  May the words of the 24 elders come to mind when I have reason to praise and honor you.  Every breath should be enough of a reminder to me that your are my Creator and worthy of my thanks and praise.  Amen.

surroundedbyair: Atlantis

This is a great description of the NASA Tweetup Atlantis landing from another pilot's perspective. I'm bummed that I didn't get to meet Dr. Wolper in person, seeing as how we're nearly neighbors. But, I now follow him on Twitter, @DrATP.

I think I'm going to have to load the simulator to which he refers.

surroundedbyair: Atlantis

Where's my zeal?

Scripture--Isaiah 63 & 64; Psalm 107; John 2
"His disciples remember that it is written: "Zeal for your house has consumed me." John 2:17 (This cross-references back to Psalm 69:9)

Observation--This Scripture passage has always interested me.  It is one of the only times in the Bible where we see Jesus display anger.  We so often see his compassion, mercy, love, even sorrow, for mankind.  When speaking with the Pharisees and Sadducees, we even seen disdain for their actions.  However, this scene in the temple courts brought about a righteous indignation that moved him to immediate action.

The vendors there weren't having a bake sale for missions.  No, they were looking to profit off of the sacrifices that others were intending to make.  They were concerned for their house, not God's house.  The Jews, after Jesus "cleaned up shop," asked by what authority he did this.  They thought his actions were unwarranted.  Who was right?  Jesus.

I see from this that there is a time for righteous anger.  We know that we are supposed to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19).  But, this is different.  Zeal for the Lord should insist that we honor and respect the Lord's house.  Christians, and others, often get angry about various social ills in our society.  Often times, that anger is justified.  But, how often do we get upset at how his church is handled--treated--by others, or by us?  How often do we feel angry enough about how the temple is being used for things other than to worship God?

I could go off on a tangent and specifically talk about how we treat our own bodies, for we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19).  But, I'm going to keep this more generalized.  How often do I show my zeal for God, to stand up for his Church and his Word?  Do I have a zeal for him that consumes me? I can be a zealot for other things: sports, flying, music.  What about God?

Application--I need to be zealous for the Lord's house...my own body, my family, my church.  It's not that I need to just go off on a rant about anything just to vent pent-up anger.  No, I need to know his Word so that I can know how to live a life that will adequately represent him.  I should be more consumed by God, by his Word...consumed by a desire to live a life that honors him, by making sure he is honored among family and friends, more than I am consumed by my "for profit" interests.

Prayer--God, let your zeal consume me.  Let it burn in my heart and soul.  Let it be seen, in the proper way, at all times in my life.  Amen.