“In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures. . . . Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” – Revelation 4:6, 8

Try as I might, I just don’t get heaven.

For example, in chapter 4 of Revelation, the Apostle John has a vision of the throne in heaven. He sees Someone sitting on the throne with the “appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne” (vs.3). I’m not exactly sure what jasper and carnelian look like (they are colorful types of quartz), and I’m not sure how to envision a rainbow that looks like an emerald, but I think that is the point. Our minds cannot comprehend the beauty and magnificence of the throne while we remain on the earth side of heaven. But then, who is to say we’ll be able to wrap our minds around it when we finally see it?

However, that is not what REALLY bothers me. What bothers me is the day and night singing of the cherubim.

Cherubim, like us, are created beings. They are not all powerful and all knowing, but they do pre-exist mankind. Although most of us think of cherubim as supernatural angelic beings covered with eyes and having four faces, who protect the throne of God and may even have tremendous power, there is one thing we have that they do not: an experience of the saving mercy and grace of Jesus.

And yet, without this unique relationship and reason to praise the name of the Lord God Almighty, they still sing His praise and worship at His throne twenty-four hours a day.

I have trouble remembering to worship Him for five minutes in the morning before I go to work. That’s why this passage bothers me. Continue Reading