And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" (Revelation 5:13, NKJV)
What is the centrality of worship? During Medieval times it was the altar, where the mass became the central focus. The Protestant reformation instead elevated the pulpit, making it the central focus. In modern times, there are many churches in which the praise band is central. Which should it be: the altar, the pulpit or the band? The answer is none of these. Rather, the central focus of worship should be the throne!
The word “throne” appears 12 times in Revelation 4, and it’s central to all events. John describes it in breathtaking fashion; it is absolutely glorious. Of course it’s not the throne itself, but the one who reigns from it that makes it so glorious. In congregational worship then, it is not the preacher, musicians, singers or any other who should take central place, but only God and His throne.
Why should we go to church to worship? We should not go so we can receive something from God! To do so puts us at the centrality of worship, not God. We do receive blessings from worshipping God. However, this is not the purpose of worship. Worship is about giving not getting. What can we give to God, who has everything? The angels, four living creatures and twenty-four elders in Revelation 4 show us the answer. They give jubilant praise to God!
What do they praise God for? For His divine being and His mighty works. They acclaim His eternalness, holiness and might. They shower Him with adoration because He is the Creator of all things. God not only created all things, but He also sustains all things through His power. “For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:2).
Only God is God and only He can ever be God. Therefore, God alone is worthy of worship.
There is more! In Revelation 5 we find the heavenly host worshipping around the throne again. A scroll needs to be unsealed, least fallen mankind perishes. There is none found worthy to open it, until John sees a lamb at throne’s center. The lamb had been slain, representing Jesus’ atoning death on the cross. The lamb is now standing, representing His victorious resurrection, ascension and inauguration as our high priest. The lamb is equally worthy of praise and worship, as is the Father. Worship should extoll their being and mighty acts of creation and redemption.
God reigns from the throne and is in full control. The question is does He reign in our hearts? Have you given Him full control over your life? To do so is the centrality of worship.
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