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.