Evolution is a belief NOT science

May 11, 2020 (Monday)

 

Yesterday we had a brief glimpse at the awesomeness of God. Today, let’s look at and join the response to God.

 

“In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.” [Revelation 4:6b NIV]. The four living creatures have been a source of speculation.  The cherubim on the mercy seat (lid to the “ark of the covenant”) had two wings. In Isaiah 6 there are seraphim who have six wings. The eyes of the living creatures are a picture of ceaseless vigilance and unending intelligence. They are the “honor guard” for the one who sits on the throne. Early Christian writers understood the creatures to represent the four gospels, the four “great” apostles, and/or the church of both the Old and New Testament (Israel marched under four banners: Reuben = man, Dan = eagle, Ephraim = ox, Judah = lion). Wesley suggested that they represent the church, because they “sang a new song” (verse 5:9ff) only possible for humans. This song’s theme is redemption, something angels do not personally know.  They sang, something angels are never mentioned doing.

 

“The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.” [Revelation 4:7 NIV] Wesley gives this opinion: The first living creature was like a lion to signify undaunted courage. The second, like a calf or ox, was to signify unwearied patience. The third with the face of a man was to signify prudence and compassion. The fourth, like an eagle was to signify activity and vigor. Or maybe they represent for different worlds God has created. (Just checking to see if anyone is paying attention.)

 

We now encounter two praise anthems in response to God's awesomeness.  These times of praise supplement and amplify the awesome images of God. “Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its 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.’” [Revelation 4:8 – 11 NIV]

 

The first praise anthem reflects back to Isaiah’s vision of God in the temple (Isaiah 6:3).  This threefold “holy” is referred to as the “Trisagion.” This threefold pattern is then repeated in a reference to time: “was, is, and is to come.” We see the threefold nature of God (“Trinity”) and His relationship to time (before, now, and future), indicating God’s presence everywhere (not just in physical space). This also emphasizes God eternalness.  It has been suggested that they also represent the three stages of God dealing with us: creation, redemption, and sanctification.

 

The second praise anthem represents a response to the truth of the first anthem. The elders lay down their crowns, which is an act of worship. Their praise is directed at “our Lord and God.” This is a significant counterpoint to the Roman emperor worship. We are going to witness the clash of two kingdoms later in Revelation.

 

Notice that God is “worthy.” What God is worthy of is to “receive” (or “take”) is “glory, honor, and power.” In fact, God is the ONLY being in the universe who is worthy to receive these things. The reason for this worth: God’s will created and sustains all things. The rights of ownership apply to the one who has created the world and us. It is His right to set the laws since He understands how life is supposed to work. These laws are in place for the good of His creation, kind of like the instructions in the owner’s manual. And for the record, yes, they are carved in stone. The reason God is worthy is that He is THE creator.

 

The creation/creator motif plays a significant role in the book of Revelation. Ever wonder why evolution is pushed so hard? IF there is no Creator and all this happened by chance and immense amounts of time, then the Bible (and any belief in a Creator) is a steaming pile of dung. The Christian faith insists on a Creator. The belief in a Creator is inseparably linked to the belief in a Savior. You cannot believe in a Savior if He is not the Creator. Period. God has “dropped the mic” on this issue.