June 29: SEVEN-FOLD PRAISE
All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 7:11-12
We are now living in the time between the opening of the sixth and seventh seal of the heavenly scroll. The parenthetical nature of chapter 7 is very strategic. Not only is it an answer for the question of who will stand on the great Day of the Lord, but John’s vision surges forward (v.9) to reveal those sealed ones at the throne of God in heaven after the great Day of the Lord.
The cry of joy from redeemed humanity (v.10) spurs a deeply felt response of overflowing joy from all the angels… and the elders and the four living creatures. They break forth in a seven-fold doxology of praise to God, having known of or observed the perils and tribulations through which these humans have passed. We do not yet grasp the joy experienced by these servants in the heavenly court, but if we accept by faith that our decisions here on earth affect them also, we can receive encouragement as we face earthly trials.
Blessing is translated from the Greek word for eulogy. Having experienced death on our behalf, He who loves us beyond measure is blessed that we are alive. He who has the ultimate power to bless has endowed us, along with the heavenly court, with the power to bless Him!
The Greek word from which doxology stems is here translated glory. This same word was sung by the angels at the birth of Christ (Luke 2:14). The same is also behind the words used to describe Jesus’s face and clothing when He was transfigured before Peter, James, and John in Matthew 17:2.
In His humanity, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52). Scholars believe the use of it in the worship song above is highlighting this aspect of His experience in human flesh.
We usually use the word thanksgiving to express our gratitude toward God (1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 106:1), but this context suggests a reversal. Could it be that when we exercise our will—in full cooperation with the Holy Spirit—to reflect the will and character of God, that He is thankful?
Our Creator and Redeemer is more than worthy of honor and power and might. Because of these (and other) attributes that He possesses, we learn that He is totally trustworthy. The suffering of the Father and the Son in order to accomplish salvation for erring, wayward humanity is beyond any that we might imagine. Yet Scripture tells us that we cannot imagine the blessings that He wants to lavish upon us for eternity! Beloved, you and I will never grow tired of praising Him—ever!!
But as it is written: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)