Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-14

C.I.: Heavenly Worship – An Introduction

Each year there are three subjects I am sure to include in my sermons series; family, church, and worship.
Today we are going to begin a new series of lessons of “Worship” – Defined = “The decision….”
Each week during August - we are going to emphasize different aspect - of our heavenly worship!
Today I would like to look at a scene of heavenly worship – see how today we are called to live up to our prayer “…Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” (Matt. 6:10).

I. Standing in the Presence of God (Revelation 5)

A. An Introduction:

1. The O.T. tabernacle was a copy – of that which existed in heaven.
a. (Heb. 8:5), “…just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, ‘See,’ God says, ‘that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain.’”
b. Not only was the tabernacle a copy – but so was O.T. worship.
c. (Heb. 9:11), “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, - He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; - and not thru the blood of goats & calves, but thru His own blood He entered the holy place once for all, - having obtained eternal redemption.”

2. In so many areas – the earthly is a copy of the heavenly
a. (Matt. 26:26), “Jesus took some bread…,” – (v. 27-28), “…when He had taken a cup….”
b. Each week when God’s people gather together – we are reminded of the heavenly by the earthly!

B. Events in the Throne Room of God (verses 1-4)

1. In the presence of God – His word is a central aspect of worship.
a. (vs. 1-4), “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne – a book written inside and back, sealed up with seven seals. – And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, - ‘Who is WORTHY to open the book and to break its seals?’ – And no one in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book and look into it. – And I began to weep greatly, because no one was found WORTHY to open the book, - and look into it.”
b. This “book” contained the Revelation of God (Chs. 6-11).
1) Notice, John’s heart broke – that he would not be able to hear God’s word revealed (In heaven, before God and His angels) – yet his heart broke because he could hear God’s word!
2) God has punished His people in times past – by keeping His words from them – (Amos 8:11-12), “‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord God, ‘When I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the Lord. – And people will stagger from sea to sea, from north even to the east. – They will go to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.”
3) It is a sad thing – when people no longer weep for not hearing the word – but say they would rather hear cute stories, jokes and anecdotes – but are bored with the proclamation of the word

2. The One who is Worthy of our Worship (vs. 5, 7-8).
a. (vs. 5), “…and one of the elders said to me, ‘Stop weeping; behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its 7 seals’
1) The One who is WORTHY – is God’s final revelation to Man – (John 1:18; Heb. 1:1-2a).

b. The One who Holds the Book is WORTHY of our Prayers
1) (vs. 7-8), “…He came and took it out of the hand of Him who sat on the throne, - And when He had taken the book, the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb having each one a harp & golden bowls full on incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
2) Jesus is pictured as a “Lion” (King of the beasts) – and “Lamb” (our sacrifice) – its important to note Revelation is a “Picture Book” – conveying its message by using pictures!
3) How God views your prayers: Harps (beautiful sounds), golden bowls (precious), incense (a fragrant aroma) – thus, the prayers of God’s people are special to the worship of heaven!!
4) No wonder God says, (I Th. 5:17), “Pray without ceasing.”

c. The One who Holds the Book is WORTHY of Our Songs, (vs. 9-12)
1) (vs. 9-10), “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the book, and to break its seals; for You were slain, and did purchase for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. – And You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they reign upon the earth.”
2) Col. 3:16, tells us that in our singing we are “…teaching & admonishing one another….”
(i) Who Jesus IS – “Worthy” = same thing said of God the Father, “Worthy are You O Lord our God…,” (Rev. 4:11)! – JESUS IS GOD (Jn. 1:1)!!
(ii) What Jesus DID – Purchase us with His blood – (quote Acts 20:28) – So, the reason the Bible calls Christians the church of Christ – is because we have been purchased by Him!
(iii) Who WE are – “a kingdom & priests who reign” – (Col. 1:13; I Pt. 2:9).
(iv) Just like God desires our constant prayer – so too our songs, (Heb. 13:15), “Let us….”
3) In vs. 11-12 – the angels now join the chorus – “And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; - and the number of them was myriads of myriads, thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, - ‘WORTHY is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.’”

3. The One who holds the book – is worthy of the praise of all creation, (vs. 13-14)
a. (vs. 13-14), “And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.’ – And the 4 living creatures kept saying, ‘Amen/Truly.’”
1) For indeed, all of creation is united in worshiping Him who is the Creator.
2) (Rom. 15:6), “That with ONE accord you may with ONE voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Will heaven be “heavenly” for you? – Do you see your worship to God in the hearing of His word, - the
offering up of your prayers – and in the songs of praise – to be the closest thing to heaven – for you??!

2. Perhaps you are afraid that this is as close as you will get to heaven – (Lk. 6:46; Mk. 16:16).