Service based on Revelation 4
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Piano Prelude Music: This is My Father’s World
(arranged and performed by SWBTS School of Church Music Student, Hye-in Rho)
Possible Opening Statement: Each week as we have gathered for worship in our homes, a particular Scripture has provided the framework for singing and praying. Today, a passage from the book of Revelation guides our thoughts, our songs and our prayers. Listen to these words from John who saw an incredible vision of heaven:
Opening Scripture
Leader: After this I looked After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” (Rev. 4:1)
Possible Transition Statement: “Come up here…” John was invited to behold the One seated on the throne. Through Jesus Christ and his completed work, his followers are invited to behold the Lamb on the Throne. Come, Christians, let’s join our hearts and voices and sing…
Song: Come, Christians Join to Sing or Behold Our God
Possible Transition: Let’s continue in Revelation chapter 4 and hear how John describes what he saw in heaven:
Scripture Reading: Revelation 4:2-8
Reader 1: Immediately I was in the Spirit, and there was a throne in heaven and someone was seated on it. 3 The one seated there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne.
Reader 2: Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white clothes, with golden crowns on their heads.
Reader 3: Flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. 6 Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne.
Reader 4: Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were around the throne on each side. 7 The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like an ox; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying,
All: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come.
Song: Holy, Holy, Holy
Listen to these words from Revelation 4:9-10:
Scripture (Revelation 4:9-10)
Leader: Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever. (Rev. 4:9-10)
Possible Transition: The elders who fall before the throne are perfect in their holiness, otherwise they wouldn’t be in the presence of God. And yet, they also show perfect humility. As we worship the perfect holy God we’ve just sung about, and as we’ve heard about the elders falling before Him in worship, we are even more aware of our sinfulness and our need to humble ourselves before God. Let’s read this Scripture together from 1 John 1:5-9
Leader: This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
People: If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Leader: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
People: We have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Leader: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
People: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Possible Transition: Those verses from 1 John are beautifully written to guide us through a time of prayer. Using each of the above phrases marked by the “Leader” and “People” let’s pray through the passage.
Group Prayer Time
Song: Day By Day
Possible Transition: The last verse we just sang helps us remember that we can trust the promises of the One we’ve been worshiping and His Word. He is the Creator of the universe, but He is also our Redeemer…the One who knows every detail of our lives. “Help me then in ev’ry tribulation, so to trust Thy promises, O Lord. That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation offered me within Thy holy Word.” He is worthy of our praise, He is worthy of our trust, in every situation. He is our Solid Rock on which our lives stand!
Song: Solid Rock
Scripture Benediction: Revelation 4:11
All: Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.
Closing Prayer