The Final Message Pt. 2

The second theme that John is reemphasizing is that we be very careful of what and who we worship.  "I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.  And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book.  Worship God!" (Revelation 22:8-9)

It is easy to worship the wrong thing!  John heard and saw things that blew him away, that made him gasp in awe.  He was seeing things, not in HD, or in 3D but rather in THEO-D.  He saw the beautiful, supernatural, heavenly angelic being.  And this angel delivered a message from God that included visions of thrones, scrolls, lampstands and Jesus.  But this vision also included a dragon, two beasts, a prostitute, who were out to dupe the earth dwellers to to put their hope in government, religious systems that oppose Christ, social acceptance or material possessions. We need to remember that Revelation was written to a church under attack from every direction, persecution from the world and these Christians were looking at the world around them and beginning to fade in their commitment to God's Word.  

This world is full of deceptive attractions: sensual pleasures, material possessions, the promise of satisfaction, the hope of security, the insatiable lust for power, and the subtle lure of pride.  We talked about all these things during this series.  A couple of weeks ago I quoted C.J. Mahaney, "Today, the greatest challenge facing American Christians is not persecution from the world, but seduction by the world."

So, when we are confronted with either great spiritual experiences or promises from the world we need to beware and ask:

• Is this true to the Word of God?
• Does this exalt and magnify Jesus?
• Will my actions help or hinder the proclamation of the true gospel of Jesus Christ?

John is saying here and elsewhere: "Do not love the world or the things in the world (1John 2:15).  Attractive idols that promise earthly delight lead to everlasting death.  See the world in all of its deception.  The things this world says matter most don't matter most.  They don't matter.  They won't last.

John is quickly and sternly rebuked by the angel. "You must not do that!" Don't worship me, don't worship the experience, don't worship created things, WORSHIP GOD! He and He only is worthy of worship.  He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME

All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre, and as they tune it, fall
Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.
Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.

Crown Him, ye morning stars of light, who fixed this floating ball;
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all.
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all.

Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God, who from His altar call;
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.

Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race, ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.

Hail Him, ye heirs of David’s line, whom David Lord did call,
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all,
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all.

Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget the wormwood and the gall,
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let every tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall
And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all.
And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all.

O that, with yonder sacred throng, we at His feet may fall,
Join in the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all,
Join in the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all!