Mans Duty
(Rev 4:6ampsim11)
People respond to the news that theyve got cancer in different ways. They are afraid of hearing bad news. However, we must remember that this news can happen to anyone. The living creatures in todays passage refers to human beings. Lets think about mans duty reflected in these living creatures.
1. We should look back on ourselves. Theres an expanse between Gods throne and the living creatures, which refers to an absolute distance. Nevertheless, God gives us incidents like thunder and lightning because he wants to have an intimate relationship with us. He wants us to ponder over God as calm as the glass sea while looking back on ourselves, totally disturbed in a thunder incident. Everything is in his control. Therefore, we should not make fuss about His disposal. We should reflect on ourselves in front of God, the Lord of the tranquil sea of glass, cleanse ourselves of our fear, hatred, and evil, and make ourselves holy and consecrated. Thats our duty.
2. We should be responsible for our face. After showing us his heavenly throne, God shows us the shape of human beings through the shape of four living creatures. In doing our ministry of God, we should reflect God through our faces brave as a lion, patient as an ox, wise as man, and swift as an eagle. God didnt tell his people to overthrow the reign of the Roman emperor, from whose persecution they were suffering. He just let them reflect Jesus Christ even in the midst of trial by serving their human master Rome gently but not servilely, looking at the heavenly throne. This is the way of the gospel that reflects Jesus Christ. What an awesome and inviolable way!
3. No one can hide from God. The four living creatures have six wings. In Isaiah 6:2, the seraphs also have six wings. They are covering their faces with two wings and their feet with another two while flying with the last two. This reflects their humble attitude of not taking Gods glory but concealing the trace of their work and being ready to fly in order to carry out Gods command. Having many eyes means that no one can hide from God. It also means that we should be responsible for our eyes, but should not put on airs. God will give us insight when we humbly watch ourselves with six wings. God has already revealed himself to us. However, we are blinded by our greed and unfaithfulness. Have you been cheated or cheated others? Everything is to be revealed. Keep this in mind. Thats our duty.
4. We should continue to praise God. The words of the living creatures praise were 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.' We are not able to enjoy true rest as long as we chase and worship idols or beasts, focusing our life goal on happiness. However, when we praise 'Holy, holy, holy' we can interpret everything in our life. Understanding the reason of our present being is the sign of Gods power on us. This is how we invite God within us. The supreme goal of mans life is glorifying God and rejoicing in Him forever. Actually, we are unable to glorify God by ourselves, but able to rejoice in Him forever. This should be the goal of our life, for which we can risk our life. The world laughs at this Christian value. However, whether we accept it or not, man is absolutely at Gods disposal. We should admit that we are nothing but sinners and raise up the Lord. Thats our duty.
5, We should abandon our own crown and worship God. The best crown is that of salvation. However, it is beyond our ability. It was a blessing for me to know that theres something beyond my power and patience after I won a variety of worldly crowns. No one comes to believe in Jesus because of his success or excellence. Rather we fall prey to Satan due to the power and ability by taking Gods glory instead of glorifying Him. In order to fulfill our duty, we need to make a right confession based on our self-identify. In short, we are all sinners. Everything about us, whether it is trial or triumph, is in Gods hands. The heavenly kingdom is a dwelling place of those who have this mentality. God showed the worshipers of Roman emperors his heavenly throne in order to encourage his people to wait for him, throw away their crown and glorify only God, knowing that salvation and judgment must happen. It is we Christians duty to humbly do our ministry even under the same circumstances, looking only to the heavenly throne.
'Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.' (Rev 4:6)
