Revelation Gives us the Elements of True Biblical Worship
All that the Bible has taught about worship is applied in Revelation 1-3, as Jesus, who is God the Son, comes down and walks among His servants, the saints of His Church: and watches their worship. Here are the four elements of True Biblical Worship that are emphasized in these three chapters.
1. True Biblical Worship: Starts with and Flows from the Words that God Gave to Us (Revelation 1:1)
The right way to worship God is found only in His Word.
God’s Word is vital to us, and the pathway God left for us to approach Him in our worship. All three elements of worship must be Right according to God’s Word. The Right God, the Right offering, in the Spirit-prompted way of Truth.
In John 4:24 Jesus has already said that we are to worship God in Spirit and in truth: āGod is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.āHere in Revelation 1:1 we see that the One we worship wants us to approach Him with our worship in truth, that is: based upon the revealed Word of God. Worship that is to be accepted by God must be Word-guided, and Word-based. So first, True Biblical Worship: starts with and flows from the Word that God gave to us (Revelation 1:1).
Do you stop to eat from God’s Word so that you can live each day in step with God? We were created to worship or glorify God. He wants our worship. If we desire to please Him, we will hunger and thirst for Him in His Word: our way of knowing how to properly worship Him.
2. True Biblical Worship: Is Only available for
Those who are āin the Spiritā (Revelation 1:10)
John was able to see God in His Glory, and worship Him as King, all because of the power of the regenerating, indwelling Holy Spirit.
Paul says in Philippians 3:3 that those who are saved worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no hope of salvation by fleshly efforts.
The Spirit quickens the flesh profits nothing John 6:63, only spiritual worship prompted by the Spirit can please God.
Principle 2: True Biblical Worship: is only available for those who are āin the Spiritā (Revelation 1:10).
Do you know that you have the Spirit of God dwelling within, the seal of every true born-again believer? The only worship God accepts comes from the power of His Spirit within us. Our connection to God is only powered by His Spirit. To worship in an acceptable way we must not quench the power of the Holy Spirit. Anything that diminishes His power we must avoid at all costs.
3. True Biblical Worship: Involves Seeing Christ’s Beauty &
Falling in Reverence Before Him (Revelation 1:17)
When John turns and sees Jesus as the Risen King of Kings, he falls before Him.
John falls before Christ just like Peter. When the huge school of fish was caught, in Luke 5:8-9, Peter fell on his face like John.
John falls before Christ just like the disciples in the boat, when the sleeping Christ was awakened and stilled the storm. Mk. 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, āWho can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!ā
Principle 3: True Biblical Worship: involves seeing Christ’s beauty & falling in reverence before Him (Revelation 1:17).
We were created to glorify God. We must glorify Him through our adoring worship. Worship flows from reverence. Do you come in reverence, bowing before Him? Are you seeking with all your heart to find Christ in His Word? He said we only find Him in worship when we āseek Him with all our heartsā.
4. True Biblical Worship: Is Always Being
Watched and Tested by Christ (Revelation 2:1)
Jesus reminds us that He walks about the Church as we gather (Rev. 2:1), to see if we are offering to Him the worship He desires, in the way He desires.