NTC 58: Revelation 1-4

Question 2: "Whom should we worship?"


"The one who was, and is, and is to come" (1:4). He is the eternal one. The only one who existed before all else, before time, space, and all matter. He is the Alpha, the beginning and sovereign over all that has a beginning. He is the Omega, the end of all things that will end and the completion of those things completed. He is the First and the Last (1:17).

"The faithful witness" (1:5). He is the one who is faithful to the truth. He stands before the throne of God and pleads the case of his children. Jesus is our witness before the righteous judge.

"The firstborn from the dead" (1:5). The firstborn lives as proof and promise that all those who are children of God will live forever even as he lives. He promises that "he who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death" (2:11) Our lives are bound up with Christ, and if he defeated death, his life is our hope and confidence that we will as well. He proclaims, "I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." (1:18)

The one seated on the throne in heaven (4:2). He is holy (4:8). He is perfect, pure and set apart. There is no sin, darkness or shadow in Him. He is worthy to receive glory and honor and power because of his nature. He is worthy of these because of who he is. But he is also worthy of these because of what he has done. For he has created all things (4:11). But it is not only his will that creates all that is, but his will also sustains all that is. It is in him that we live and move and have our being.

We must worship the eternal, faithful, living, ruling, holy Creator.