Thursday 19 June 2025
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (v. 11)
Background
'One in love and one in splendour' is the theme for this week’s readings. At one level this passage suggests little of the former but a great deal of the latter!
In verses 2-6 the writer describes God sitting on a throne. Note the description does not give any indication of God as a human or male or female - rather God is described in terms of colour and light. This description of God as light is found elsewhere in the Bible, for example in Psalm 104:2 and also in Paul’s first letter to Timothy (6:16).
As well as light, there is also amazing colour in this passage: jasper, carnelian and emerald. The exact colours are not entirely known here. What is known is that they were representative of precious stones at the time. The Greek philosopher Plato mentioned them in his book Phaedo (also known as On the Soul) and there are also biblical references to them, for example in Exodus 28:17 they are described on the breast plate of the High Priest. Jasper may have been a translucent rock crystal, carnelian was probably blood red and the emerald is the green that we know today. From these, lighting flashed, thunder rumbled and there was a sea of crystal in front of the throne. There is splendour here to take one’s breath away.
So where is the love? I think it is in the words that are spoken by the lion, ox, man and eagle who represent nature as they worship God. (v. 8) Their love of God is expressed in a doxology (a short hymn) of praise. When we worship, we reflect God’s love back to God. Worship can be prayer, singing, reading scripture, Holy Communion and serving others.
This passage has inspired songs, such as Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! Psalm 148 has a similar sentiment, summoning all nature to praise God. In his commentary on Revelation the Revd Professor William Barclay wrote, "There is a tremendous truth here. The basic idea…is that anything that is fulfilling the function for which it was created is praising God."
To Ponder:
- How do you like to worship God?
- Are there ways of worshipping God that you’d like to try but have not had a chance to yet?
Prayer
I love you God, I praise your name for everything you have done. Help me to keep worshipping you in times of trouble and peace. Amen.
Bible notes author: Dr Tom Lunt
Dr Tom Lunt is a Methodist local preacher, prison chaplain and lecturer. He lives with his wife Liz in East Sussex.