While the Book of The Revelation to John can be awkward for many readers of the Bible, it can help us connect with the mystery of our Lord and God through metaphorical teachings. Just like in the words of the song, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” the description “fortress” is a metaphor communicating God’s strength. The Scripture says in part:
“’Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’ …they cast their crowns before the throne singing, ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:1-11).
What a marvelous scene was revealed to John the apostle as a door in heaven opened. God on His throne with twenty-four other thrones on which sat twenty-four elders in white robes and wearing golden crowns. Around the throne there were four living creatures with eyes in front and behind. All this together with lightning, thunder and torches was the scene.
The four living creatures were continuously singing, “Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” And each time that the living creatures gave glory and honor and thanks to God, the twenty-four elders fell before God casting their crowns before Him singing, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Jesus has called us to be in community, to love and support one another. It is in Christian community that God reveals Himself to us. We see Him in and through each other. As members of the Body of Christ we must each connect with our creator, while joining together to share His love with one another and with others. Will Rogers said, “I’ve never met a man I didn’t like.” While this is hard for most of us to say, we can say, “I’ve never met a man or woman that God didn’t love.” This is our way to loving the unlovable, through Christ.
Shall we wait around for a revelation like John’s? In our own way we need to mirror what was behind that door in heaven. As the Body of Christ we should continually sing with the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, casting our crowns before His throne. And through the eyes in front and behind our heads focus on Him while searching for His lost children. All the time singing: “Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.”