living worship

John

God reveals himself to John the apostle in a vision similar to the one recorded in the book of Isaiah. John had been the “the one Jesus loved” during Jesus’ earthly ministry. He had walked in close friendship with Christ. At the time of this vision, John is an older man, nearing the end of his life. The book of Revelation is his account of a vision God entrusted to him. We find John on the island of Patmos, who had been exiled “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus”. (Rev 1:9) This is where we find John as he is given a vision of heaven.

Revelation 1:12-17

¹²Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man,clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. ¹⁴The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, ¹⁵ his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. ¹⁶ In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. ¹⁷When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.

As the book continues we are given clear indication John is describing Jesus. However, this Jesus is much different that his friend Jesus who had walked with John in close fellowship. In this account Jesus has been glorified, and seated on his throne. The account is clear to depict that this man who had been an intimate friend of the Christ, was absolutely overwhelmed by the glorified Christ he now beheld.

Conclusion

In these encounters we find that God is the one who initiates relationship and revelation to man. Any revelation we have comes through his grace of wanting to communicate to humanity. Man does not seek God, God seeks us. In seeking us, He has communicated his nature, his attributes, his character, his desires, and his requirements for mankind.

Our cursory survey of these texts should lead us to one clear outcome: God has revealed himself to us, and continues to initiate encounters with us.

Application for Corporate Worship

So, as worship leaders, how do these three encounters impact how we lead worship? The first thing to note is that these texts are descriptive texts. They inform us of an event that has happened. They are intended for our edification, but are a historical account of God revealing himself. These texts are not prescriptive texts for proposed liturgy. Nor are they inferring we are in need of dramatic phenomena in order to encounter the true and living God. They do not prescribe that we turn to chaotic methods in hopes to conjure up a strange experience.

What these texts do communicate to us is that God is a Holy God. He is to be feared and adored. His is all powerful and an all consuming fire. In every liturgy we have the opportunity to point people to the truths of God. We have the joy of reminding people of his infinite greatness. We have the commission to point them to the grandeur of the Gospel.

We meet to to renew our awe and wonder of the splendor of our God. If we are calling our people to less than that, we are missing the mark. A worship leader calls the minds and affections of people to remember and respond to who God is and what he has done.

As we lead, may we do so with a continued sense of awe and wonder – in order to lead our people in meaningful, impacting encounters with the true and living God.

(to be continued)