Holy Holy Holy
By Rachel & Janet Vipond
Has God ever given you a glimpse into heaven? If so, what did you see or feel?
Revelation chapter 4 describes the apostle John's experience of being transported to heaven in a vision and witnessing God's radiant glory, much like Isaiah’s vision outlined in Isaiah 6:1-3.
“Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come’”
The four living creatures surrounding God’s throne continually declare His holiness day and night, their praises never ceasing. Prior to this vision, the Lord had already revealed to John in Revelation 1:8 that He is the Alpha and the Omega, who is, who always was, and who is still to come – the Almighty One. Now we read in Revelation 4:8 how the angels continually declare this truth in their worship.
God’s Holiness
The holiness of God refers to the absolute moral purity of His nature and the absolute moral distance between God and sin. His standard is holy perfection, and He is therefore set apart from all creation. Isaiah recognised this when he declared ‘‘I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty’’ (Isaiah 6:5).
Because God is Holy, He calls us, His people, to be holy too (1 Peter 1:16). This is only possible by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross where He paid the price for all sin. Through Jesus, our Great High Priest, we can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence but also with humility (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Everything God is, says or does is Holy. As God’s people we have been set apart by God’s grace for His purposes alone, and Christ’s own character is developed in our lives by His Holy Spirit living in us.
A response to God’s Holiness
How does, and should, the knowledge of God’s holiness impact the way we live our lives? Do we fully understand and appreciate what it really means? Rev 4:8 highlights some key points to help us recognise both God’s holiness and the call on our lives to be holy too.
In the same way that the living creatures had eyes all around, we too must choose to always fix our eyes on God on His throne, recognising that He has all authority in heaven and on earth. It’s important for us to remember that this is true in every circumstance we face or witness.
As we look to Him, we will recognise his holiness and, in turn, all other characteristics that flow from that holiness. His greatness, righteousness, glory, love and matchless worth.
We are called to prayer and praise day and night, unceasing and unrelenting in our obedience to God's holy word and call to be holy as we become more like Him, in thought, word and deed.
Reflection
Lord God, You are indeed holy. There is no one like You. Be exalted, oh God, above the heavens, we cry. Let your glory be over all the earth. Be exalted, oh God, in our hearts and through our lives. Let you glory be seen in us. Come, Holy Flame, cleanse and renew us, we pray, and make us holy as You are holy. You are greater and more glorious than we can ever imagine and so we join with the multitudes of angels around your throne and cry, day and night, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty’. Amen.
