Introduction
In the study “Who is the God of the Heavenly Beings? Is He the Same God We Worship? – Revelation 4 and 5“, I invite you to reflect on a fundamental question: Does the way we recognize and worship God align with the heavenly vision presented in Scripture? In Revelation 4 and 5, we find powerful and clear descriptions of who the true God is, who is worshiped by the heavenly beings, and how this worship is profoundly different from some of the human interpretations of divinity. Throughout this article, we will explore these passages and discuss who, in fact, is the God that the heavenly beings worship and whether this same understanding applies to our faith and worship today.
Who is the God in the Bible?
In view of the theological controversy over who the God of the Bible is, the book of Revelation contains very enlightening verses on this subject, especially chapters 4 and 5, which serve as the foundation for all the other visions in heaven that occur in this book. I suggest that the reader read these two chapters, verse by verse. However, in this study, I will present only the passages pertinent to the subject, in addition to also including other relevant scriptures.
These chapters (Revelation 4 and 5) elucidate who the God of the Celestial Beings is. This is extremely important because, in light of our lack of knowledge about who God is (Is He unique? Is He a trinity? Is He Jesus?), the Celestial Beings know very well who this God is and are continually worshiping Him. Unlike us, sinners who are incapable of being in the presence of the Almighty, the Celestial Beings are perfect and can see Him face to face. They know who they should worship and consider to be God. On the other hand, we depend on reading and studying the Word to discover who this God is, which generates conflicts due to interpretations and doctrines established by men. Given this scenario, I invite you to study this topic.
The God Revealed in the Book of Revelation
John is Raptured in Vision
Revelation 4:2,3 – “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, lo, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne: and he that sat was like unto jasper and onyx stone in appearance: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, and in appearance it was like an emerald“
John was caught up in the spirit to receive a heavenly vision. In this vision, he saw a throne set in heaven, and on that throne was One seated. He describes the appearance of this being by comparing it to the brightness of various stones.
Revelation 4:4 – “And around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads“
In addition to the throne, he also describes the presence of 24 other thrones, with 24 elders seated upon them. He further describes the appearance of these 24 elders.
A Throne, and One Sitting Upon It
Revelation 4:6 – “And before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind“
The scene is magnificent! The area in front of the throne is breathtaking! John describes it as resembling a sea of glass, like the brilliance of crystal! Next to the main throne, there are four other beings (as presented in some translations as “animals” (RFC), but this is not the correct translation. Other translations say “living beings” (e.g., RA). John compares their appearance to animals).
Holy, Holy, Holy
Revelation 4:8 – “And the four beasts had each of them six wings, and were full of eyes round about and within: and they rested not day nor night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come“
These four beings each have six wings. This scene resembles what the prophet Isaiah saw in chapter 6 of his book. In this chapter, Isaiah identifies these six-winged beings as Seraphim (Isaiah 6:1-3). John says that these beings worship God continually, without ceasing! In their worship, they identify the person seated on the main throne as the “Lord God Almighty“, “who was, and who is, and who is to come“.
What Was, What Is, What Is to Come
A doubt or even a misinterpretation may arise regarding the expression “who was, and who is, and who is to come“. Some people often apply the phrase “who is to come” to Jesus because we know that one day, Jesus will “come” again to this earth. Based on this reasoning, they conclude that the being seated on the throne is the glorified Jesus. The identity of this being will become clearer as we read both chapters (4 and 5). However, we can obtain the correct interpretation of this expression by carefully reading the verses in Revelation 1:4-5, which were presented to John at the beginning of the book:
Revelation 1:4-5 – “John to the seven churches in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood“
The Lord God, the Almighty
As presented above, three different entities gave grace: to the “who is, and who was, and who is to come“, to the “seven spirits“, and to “Jesus Christ“. It is clear that the phrase “who is, and who was, and who is to come” applies to someone other than Jesus Christ. Taking this into consideration, it is evident that the four living creatures in Revelation 4 identify the being seated on the throne as “the Lord God Almighty“, and this cannot refer to Jesus Christ. This distinction will become clearer as we continue reading chapter 5.
The 24 Elders Worship Him
Revelation 4:9 – “And when the animals gave glory and honor and thanks to him who sat on the throne, who lives forever and ever…“
Revelation 4:10,11 – “The twenty-four elders fell down before him who sat on the throne, and worshiped him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for you created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.’“
John sees the four living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the main throne. As they do this, the 24 elders prostrate themselves before the “Lord God Almighty” and worship. They also cast their crowns before the throne, declaring that this being is worthy to receive glory, honor, and power for having created all things! So, who is the God of the Celestial Beings?
Here, another issue of interpretation arises. The 24 elders say that the “Lord God Almighty” is worthy of worship because He created all things, and that is true! However, I have seen some people read only this verse and claim that the one seated on the throne is Jesus, because, according to the Bible, Jesus is presented as the creator of all things.
Revelation 5
However, as we saw previously, the being seated on the throne cannot be Jesus, and we will confirm this by reading the next verses.
Revelation 5:1 – “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals“
Even though the chapter changes, the same vision continues. We cannot read chapters 4 and 5 in isolation. Their content refers to the same context.
The Lamb Enters the Scene!
Revelation 5:6,7 – “And I looked, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb, as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne“
This is the point in the vision that clarifies the question of who the person seated on the main throne is. John mentions that the “Lord God Almighty“, who was seated on the throne, held a book in His right hand. So, who is the God of the Celestial Beings? In the presence of the four living creatures and the 24 elders, another person appears. It is the person represented by the “Lamb“, an expression that refers to Jesus Christ, as we can read in the Gospel of John:
John 1:29 – “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’“
Jesus only enters the scene in chapter 5 of Revelation. From this, it is clear that the person seated on the main throne is not Jesus. Those who misinterpret the expressions “which is, and which was, and which is to come” (Revelation 4:8) and “because you created all things” (Revelation 4:11) as referring to Jesus end up reading the texts in isolation, creating an incorrect interpretation of the biblical texts! We must always consider the context before drawing any conclusions.
The God of the 4 Animals, and the 24 Elders! Not the Lamb!
Revelation 5:8-10 – “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation: and hast made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth“
A few verses earlier, it says that no one was found worthy to receive and open the book in the right hand of the “Almighty God“. But at that moment, Jesus enters the scene, and He is the only one found worthy to receive and open the book, because He is the Lamb of God. All four living creatures and the 24 elders prostrated themselves before the Lamb in recognition of His deed, and they all proclaimed a new song. In that song, they said that by His blood, He has purchased people “for God” from all tribes, and for their God, they were made kings and priests to reign over the whole earth!
This is the most important point in the topic we are studying in this chapter! All the heavenly beings have made a clear distinction about who their God is. They do not consider the Lamb to be their God; rather, they proclaim that the Lamb has saved such people for God (and not for Himself!). They still use the words “to our God“! Who is their God? It is He who sits on the throne, whom they worship continually!
Glory to the Two Alone: God and the Lamb!
Revelation 5:13,14 – “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the twenty-four elders fell down, and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever“
Chapter 5 closes with John hearing the voice of “every creature” proclaiming who should receive “thanksgiving, and honor, and glory, and power” “forever and ever“! And what did they proclaim? According to all creatures, who should receive grace, honor, glory, and power? They said: “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb“! Yes, beloved! Only these two are glorified: the “Lord God Almighty” and the “Lamb“. And according to their words, they will receive it “forever and ever“! Amen!
Who is the God of Celestial Beings?
After this, the 24 elders prostrate themselves and worship what “lives forever and ever“! Notice that this expression has already appeared in the reading of these chapters. It appeared in Revelation 4:10-11. In these verses, the 24 elders identified what “lives forever and ever” as being the “Lord God Almighty“. This means that in Revelation 5:14, when they bow down and worship, they are not doing so to both of the persons mentioned, but the worship is directed only to “Him who lives forever and ever“, that is, only to the “Lord God Almighty“.
They make a clear distinction about what each of the two receives. Both can receive “thanks, and honor, and glory, and power“, but only the one on the main throne receives worship! Who is the God of the Heavenly Beings? The Lamb does not receive worship, but He receives praise for His actions. Worship (in the sense of reverence and adoration) is something offered only to one being.
Complementing with Revelation 7
There are other passages we can include in this study on this topic, found in the book of Revelation. Some of them are:
Revelation 7:11-12 – “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders, and about the four beasts; and they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and strength, be to our God, for ever and ever. Amen“
Revelation 11:16-17 – “And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken unto thee thy great power, and hast reigned“
In Revelation 7:11-12, it is mentioned that all the angels who were around the main throne in heaven, the 24 elders, and the 4 living creatures fell down before the throne, their faces to the ground, and worshiped God. They also proclaimed “to our God“! I emphasize the words they used: “to our God“. So, who do they consider to be “our God“? Is it Jesus? Is it a Trinity? No! It is the One who sits on the throne-the “Lord God Almighty“.
The Prayer of Jesus
Regarding this, Jesus once said:
John 17:1-3 – “Jesus said this, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said: Father, the hour has come… And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent“
In this prayer, the Lord Jesus declared that eternal life is to know the Father as the only true God, and Jesus Christ as the one sent by Him. Jesus Himself made a clear distinction between the Father and Himself, emphasizing that the Father is the only true God.
Conclusion
Finally, the heavenly beings recognize and worship only Jesus’ Father as God! Jesus, here on earth, also taught that His people should recognize only His Father as the only God! And you? Who do you recognize as your God?! Is it the same as the heavenly beings, who are sinless and know who God is, or is it the god created by the interpretations of human beings, who are sinners and have never stood before His face?
May God bless us!
