Revelation 7:12-13 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
The crowd gathered around God’s throne includes the beings of chapters 4-5. All the angels are gathered around the throne. This number is countless, so this would be quite a scene. Elders in the Bible are highly respected for their wisdom. Age brings wisdom, especially in middle eastern cultures. They have fought the good fight of the faith and remained true. Who this group is specifically in the Book of Revelation is impossible to know, but there is a hint in 4:4 since there are 24 of them. They may represent the 12 patriarchs from the tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles. The Bible reveals that not all of these men were outstanding followers of God, specially some of the patriarchs, but we cannot determine or judge what God will do. The number may only be symbolic. They obviously have a place of honor around God’s throne and are involved in the unfolding of God’s final plan. They are joined with the four living creatures of Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 4.
This group worshiped God by expressing their praise for some of God’s attributes. Worship involves giving Go what is worthy to him. Blessing is acknowledging the goodness of God for God’s blessings to us. He is the life giver and sustainer. Glory is God’s overwhelming presence that causes creation to fall before him and honor him. Wisdom expresses the infinite knowledge God has and that God expresses the knowledge according to his plan in Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving is the human response to God’s goodness and grace. Honor is the position God is put in. God is the highest and deserves all praise and worship. God’s all power shows God has no limitations. Humanity cannot even begin to comprehend the limitless power of God. Might is the expression of power and the ability to do what one desires. God is almighty. No one or no thing can compare to the only God. Everything else is but human fabrication.
As we ponder the being of God, what is our response? Can we ascribe to God these attributes? Those in the end times refuse to do this and it brings their destruction. God always leaves it up to us in how we will respond.
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