Worship at the Throne

Show Notes

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

SHOW NOTES:

A prayer of praise from the biblical Gospel of Luke, where Mary “magnifies” or glorifies God for His power, mercy, and faithfulness. The focus is on God’s greatness, with Mary exalting Him for choosing her to bear the Messiah and for His promise to lift the humble and lowly while bringing down the proud and rich.

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. Behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.”

– Luke 1:46-49

Mary’s soul praises and magnifies God’s greatness and His plan for the world through her submission, even amid her confusion. The Magnificat encourages believers to praise God and join in His work of reconciliation and restoration in all aspects of our lives.

We see God as He truly is—exalted and above all. He is mighty, and His name is holy!

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Show Notes

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

SHOW NOTES:

During the Christmas season, we hear the words, “Glory to God in the highest.” This phrase expresses both praise and adoration. The angel’s announcement and the heavenly host’s chorus of praise reflect their recognition of His majesty, greatness, and immeasurable worth.

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they (shepherds) were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

– Luke 2:9-10

The angel announces good news and great joy. The heavenly host glorifies and praises God for the gift of a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The shepherds hurry to Bethlehem to find the baby lying in a manger, surrounded by a young mother, father, and stable animals.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

– Luke 2:20

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Show Notes

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

SHOW NOTES:

The central message of Christmas, found in Luke 2:11, is “Christ the Savior is born.” Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, the promised Messiah, brings hope and peace to the world. This phrase symbolizes Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy, His divine identity as God’s Son, and His mission as Redeemer. This is God’s story—His master plan.

Scene 1: Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:13-25)

Scene 2: The angel, Gabriel, visits Mary in Nazareth (Luke 1:26-38)

Scene 3: Joseph’s Dream (Matthew 1:18-25)

Scene 4: Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45)

Scene 5: Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is witnessed by angels and shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)

In Scene 6, Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the temple for purification as required by the law of Moses. Two trustworthy witnesses, Simeon and Anna, who had faithfully walked with God for many years and waited for this child—God’s gift—were present. Anna shares the good news of Jesus, and Simeon proclaims, “My eyes have seen Your salvation.”

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”

– Luke 2:29-32

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Show Notes

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

SHOW NOTES:

In Revelation 4 and 5, John is taken in the Spirit to heaven. He is shown the heavenly throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. The majesty and splendor are breathtaking. Then, he saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne, sealed with seven seals.

And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice,

“Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”

And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.

– Revelation 5:2-4

John’s sorrow eases when one of the elders announces that someone has “triumphed.” He looks to see the mighty Lion (the conquering warrior-Messiah from the Root of David) but instead sees the striking figure of a “Lamb” as if it had been slaughtered, standing in the center of the throne room.

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

– Revelation 5:5

The Lamb is victorious and has been given all power and authority from the One seated on the throne. When He takes the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fall down and sing a new song as they worship the Lamb.

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

– Revelation 5:9-10

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Show Notes

Scripture: Revelation 7

SHOW NOTES:

In Revelation 5, a mighty angel loudly proclaims, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open this scroll?” John says he wept because no one was found worthy to open the scroll. Then, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the Lamb, takes the scroll from the right hand of Him who sits on the throne.

At the end of chapter 6, the sixth seal is opened, and people on earth try to hide from God (see Revelation 6:15-17). Chapter 7 of Revelation begins with God sending four angels to hold back the winds of judgment until His own are sealed and protected.

After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree.

Revelation 7:1

As the chapter ends, John sees a vast multitude from all nations and cultures standing before God’s throne, clothed in white robes. They are identified by the angel as those “who have come out of the great tribulation” (verse 14). The angels are gathered around the throne, while the elders and the four living creatures fall face down before God and worship Him. What a beautiful worship scene!

Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

– Revelation 7:15-17

The Lamb will shepherd His people and lead them to living water. Every sorrowful memory of pain and suffering will be taken away by the Heavenly Father.

Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!

– Revelation 7:12

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Show Notes

Scripture: Revelation 19:1-16

SHOW NOTES:

Over the past few weeks, we have studied several Hymns of Praise in the book of Revelation, written by John, the beloved disciple. The opening verses in chapter 19 begin with the great multitude in heaven, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures offering praise and worship to our God.

After this, I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just.” …

And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”

– Revelation 19:1-2, 5

The English word “hallelujah” comes from a Greek term, which itself transliterates the Hebrew halle-lu-yah, meaning “Praise unto Yahweh.” This transliteration only appears here in the New Testament in verses 1, 3, 4, and 6.

There is also rejoicing because the “wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” This contrasts with the prostitute and her immoral lovers mentioned in previous chapters, featuring the Lamb and his pure bride in “fine linen, bright and clean.”

The great vision, beginning in verse 11, shifts between Old Testament references and earlier mentions of Christ in Revelation. Christ will keep His word, because He is the Word of God. He is faithful & true!

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

– Revelation 19:11-13

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