“After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘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.’”
This church would benefit from some signage: we knew approximately where it was and drove past it anyway. The church is considerably off the main road and is visible coming from the opposite direction.
Inside was somewhat the same; had we entered differently I might have noticed some directional signage. A man I asked in the sanctuary not only gave us directions to the restrooms but accompanied us downstairs to point them out.
We were warmly greeted by a woman who worked part-time for the church who offered to answer any questions for us…we should have asked her about restrooms as they were right inside the door where we were talking.
The building resembles a railroad station, which they must have fun with at times. The seats are most comfortable with good spacing. I was disappointed not to find a cross. The large stage had 16 people in the praise team, including some brass. I’m glad we sat in the back, what I could hear of the female singers sounded pleasant, and the overall sound was harmonious.
The sermon was part of a series on Revelation from chapters 4 and 5 and titled “Dread and Desire.” The message was developed and delivered effectively. Those in the Bible who have been in God’s presence experienced the dread of “Who am I to be in the presence of the Creator?” just as John felt. I was moved by John’s reaction in Revelation 5:3-4 at the possibility that there was no one in heaven or earth who could open the scroll, that God’s will might not happen, and this was where John’s desire overcame dread.
I located some literature about mission activities in March but wasn’t sure if that was all for the year.
This facility seems larger than it actually is, and most of the details seem well thought out. I wished for additional signage, as we had to ask people on both floors about restroom locations.
The church secretary managed the welcome desk and recognized us as visitors, but she was the only one. Two others provided directions, and one mother noticed Bob’s USMC shirt and introduced her son who would be leaving for Marine Corps boot camp following graduation. They were the only people who spoke with us.
I was amazed at the size of the praise band: 15 by my count, although from the back row I could have missed one or two. I’ve never seen one that included three brass wind instruments. They were quite good however, and they generously gave each mother a six-song CD as a gift in recognition of Mother’s Day.
The message was part of the series “Themes in Revelation,” based mostly on Revelation 4, and was entitled “Dread and Desire.”
I found it comforting to learn that I am in august company in my lack of understanding of this book: John Calvin openly admitted he did not understand Revelation, and Charles Spurgeon said that he did not understand it but fully believed it. I love that!
He used Job 42:2-6, Isaiah 6, and Habakkuk 3 to illustrate his point that God’s presence always causes feelings of fear, awe, and unworthiness. God is never what we expect, but we sometimes decide it is easier to keep Him at a distance than to fall on our knees and worship Him. The phrase he used to describe being in God’s presence was, “The trauma of His holiness undoes us.” Wow.
We dread being undone so completely at the same time that we long for God’s Kingdom to come and for all to be made right. Dread versus desire…do we run to Him or try to hide from Him?
I don’t mind admitting that this book used to scare the daylights out of me, but now that I’m older, I pray for it to come. I guess I’ve crossed over and seldom feel the dread, only desire.
Father, we pray the seekers in the surrounding area find their dread transformed into desire for you and that the members bring their neighbors to worship with them. Jesus Christ is preached here; may they proclaim to all with ears to hear. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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