Rev.4:9-11 – And when the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

David taught us that our worship was connected to our giving. He concluded that His greatness revealed in creation and in His plan of redemption is priceless. Our lives here on earth spilling over into eternity is about giving glory to His Name. David said to come into His presence with thanksgiving and praise and when we come bring an offering of thanksgiving acknowledging with our lips and our actions that everything comes from Him. We see this same thing in the worship of the twenty four elders in heaven. As soon as the four creatures begin to worship the elders join in casting their crowns at the feet of Jesus. What are these crowns? They represent the accomplishments and treasures that they have warranted from their labors. Offering their crowns to the Lord speak volumes to us, seeing God in His greatness demands our response, our response is to put everything that we have at the feet of Jesus. Here is how the Christ Centered Expository Commentary describes this scene.

“Whenever the living creatures “give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne,” which is always and forever, the redeemed (the 24 elders) worship! And how do they worship? They fall down and cast their crowns before the throne. What He gave they joyfully give back. They acknowledge that all they have is His gift to them. They did not earn it. They did not merit it. Nothing they have would they withhold from the One on the throne who is majestic, awesome, and holy.

This brings deep conviction and raises a question: Am I withholding anything from my God, even good things? Money? Time? Mind? Service? Heart? Chuck Swindoll is right: “We miss it when our focus becomes horizontal—riveted on people and things—rather than vertical—centered on God and God alone”

This passage affects me more than any other passage in all of the scriptures. In it we see the Lord exalted on the throne, ruling the Universe, and we see His creatures responding to His greatness in worship. The four creatures, the elders, and all of the angels and redeemed are joining in worship before the Lord. Soon we will all find ourselves caught up in this arena, I can’t wait!!!!