Holy is the Lord

Holy is the Lord

The last message looked at the two throne scenes that John saw. Now lets examine the throne a little closer. Begin by looking at Revelation 4:
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

Around the throne is a sea of glass and four living creatures. Remember from our previous studies that John uses images to communicate truths about God that can’t be expressed in words. John’s understanding was opened up as he not only saw, but experienced the truth of God in ways that words can’t describe. John uses illustrations to communicate truths that are beyond the grasp of words. So he uses illustrations to explain how that seeing God went beyond his eyes to fill his understanding by touching every part of his being. How does one see the holiness of God experiencing it? John communicates that experience by stirring our ‘mind’s eye’ to go beyond our normal reasoning and attempts to give us a small taste of his heavenly vision.

Sea of Glass
The sea of glass is mentioned twice. Before the throne of hope, John said, “before the throne was a sea of glass, like crystal”. In Revelation 15, John again brings our attention to this sea as God’s plan unfolds:
15:2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.

The sea of glass represents the deep unsearchable judgments of God. The sea represents depth, and crystal represents purity. Romans 11:33 says, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” And Psalm 19 tells us that the law of God is perfect, His testimony is sure, His precepts are right; His commandments are pure; and His judgments are righteous. Those who desire them as gold will have a delivered soul, wisdom, a rejoicing heart, enlightened eyes, and by keeping them there is great reward.

The judgments of God are deeper than the sea and cannot be searched. God reveals these things to those who ask for wisdom and seek God with all their heart. God promised that He would reveal Himself to those who seek with all their heart – or as Proverbs 2 puts it, if you seek wisdom and understanding as if for a hidden treasure and cry out for discernment and understanding, you will find the knowledge of God. “For the Lord gives