The Glory of God and His Creation

[6] and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: [7] the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. [8] And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!"

[9] And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, [10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
[11] "Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created."
Rev. 4:6-11 (ESV)


“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” the song of angels, of Cherubim and Seraphim. Of Course, John doesn’t call them this, but merely describes the creatures that are elsewhere in scripture called Seraphim and Cherubim. Funny, then angels thus described do not seem to coincide with the cute kitsch versions for sale at the local “Christian” book store. To see these described it is no wonder that those blessed with an angelic visitation in scripture are struck with utter fear. Yet these awesome creatures will be judged by men in the end. Not the ones worshiping God at his throne invoking his triune personage with “holy, holy, holy” as all three persons of God are. But we will judge the ones that have fallen away with Satan and now torment us in this world.
There are two choruses of praise recorded in this heavenly liturgy. “Holy. Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.”
And “worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor, and power, for you created all things and by your will the existed and were created.”
Both speak to the essence of God, that he is three in one. That he is eternal without beginning or end, and worthy of praise for having created and given us life.
We lose sight of that. This is why the dogma of evolution is so corrosive to moral and morals today. It robs God of his glory, his honor and power, It robs us of our ability to see it. It makes life shallow and meaningless. But life is first and foremost a gift of God. God created us to enjoy his wonderful creation, and enjoying it we find reason to praise him.
To see the glory and wonder of this world, a hike through Bryce or Zion, a drive through Escalante National Monument to stand under Grosvener’s Arch, cannot help but to invoke awe at the creator of such wonderment. And then to think that enjoying it is the purpose for which he created us. And we no longer enjoy, but sin and death robbing life of meaning, instead we suffer when we should enjoy. And this is why Jesus redeemed and gave us everlasting life with his death, that we might once again enjoy his wonderful creation, our life. That we would find a sense of meaning and purpose as we look over the Grand Canyon, or Jeep through the west desert of Utah, or quail hunt on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, watch Mountain Goats frolic on cliffs of rock like lambs in a valley meadow. And simply there is the meaning in life. To enjoy the creation God has given for us to enjoy, and for that he is worthy of honor, power and glory. Amen.