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. Revelation 4:11 (ESV)
These were the words spoken by the twenty-four elders who John witnessed and recorded in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. These twenty-four elders hold an enviable position in John’s vision. Seated around the throne of God, they have access to the grandest revelations of the Creator and his Son. These revelations produce worship responses that only those who have intimate relationship with the King dare to offer. Their relationship with the King is evident for only those with such intimacy are given such access to the throne room.
Five times in The Revelation it is stated that God is worthy to receive glory, honor and power. To give him glory, honor and power means that God alone deserves to have all eyes look to him, to be noted above all others and to be seen as valuable and precious. He is to be esteemed in the highest degree and to have all power and strength and to be power itself. In other instances glory, honor and power are mentioned along with thanksgiving, strength, wisdom, riches, blessing and might. To be worthy to receive something means there has been some action performed by the recipient. Why is God worthy? He created all things! Thus, he has met the requirements and is worthy to be worshiped.
Psalms 148 begins with a command for creation to praise God. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. (Psalm 148:1-5 ESV)
The Greek word used in Revelation 4:11 for created expresses the idea of proprietorship of the manufacturer. God fabricated or originally formed all things. By his will, (his determination, choice, purpose, volition, or decree) they exist. In other words by his determined choice and for his specific purpose he decreed the existence of all things. The apostle Paul wrote, For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17 ESV) God created all things for himself and as the creator he is worthy of uninhibited praise and worship from all of his creation.
Have you joined with the rest of creation in worship of your creator?
Scriptures for meditation:
Genesis 1:1
Psalm 148:6-13
John 1:3
Ephesians 3:8-12
Revelation 10:5-6