Sept 5, Rev 4-6

who are the elders? I don't know. I don't think it is important or God would have told us. One thing I find out in this chapter is that they are worshippers. That's important to know
Just a thought, I'm listening to Shane and Shane's "Sweet Illumination" right now. God, I want that, to know This Man. Thank you for the reward of your presence!
4.8 - the four living creatures were much like the Seraphs in Is 6 - covering their faces and crying out to God's holiness. Its funny. How often we want to see the face of God and plead for it. But, most places where we see others in Scripture face to face with God - they are covering their face. Like John in chapt 1 - he fell down as dead. What are we missing?
4.10 - worship = prostrate. So literally this verse says " The 24 elders fall prostrate before him who is seated on the throne and fall prostrate to Him who lives forever and ever. They keep doing it. It is habitually and necessary, but it never grows old. Our feet won't go to sleep and our knees won't hurt!
4.11b - How and why we exist: "For you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created". We were created for God through Jesus (the spoken word) and only exist to do the will of God.
5.9 Their new song, "Worthy are you...for you were slain and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language, and people and nation." Not by our good works or because we go to the right church or sing the right hymns. But, by the BLOOD. It has to be a blood gospel. Even if Joel Osteen doesn't preach it. The Bible is right - we don't live by the standards of the Osteen clan.
6.9-10 Even the ones who had been slain for the Word of God (and are continuing in that trend) called God "O Sovereign Lord" They died for Him and didn't question His control and reign over everything! Oh even in the little things in life, when they go wrong, may I continue to say that!
6.17 - The great day of wrath has come and who can stand? No one can stand without the blood of Jesus. Only that will allow us to stand in that day.