Revelation 4 Lesson

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

The Book of Revelation is separated into three categories:

1. “The things which you have seen.” – Past tense,
2. “The things which are.” – Present tense,
3. “The things which will take place after these things.” – Future tense.

In Chapter 4, the focus turns to things that will take place in the future. Throughout the chapter, John’s revelation brings to light the supreme authority of God. His writings provide amazing insight into what Heaven will be like. 

GIVING THANKS TO GOD

Our focus verse for today’s lesson is:

• “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.” – Revelation 4:11.

This statement was spoken by the twenty-four elders as they stood before the Throne of God.  Immediately after making that declaration, all twenty-four cast their crowns before the throne and worshipped God.  This was done to acknowledge the supremacy of God, to honor Him, and to give Him thanks. 

How about us?

Do we treat our Creator with the same reverence?  If we have not been honoring God properly, we need to change that.  As Christians, we should acknowledge and thank God for all that we have and all that we are.     

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT GIVING THANKS TO GOD

There are many Bible verses that talk about the importance of giving thanks to God.  For today’s lesson, we have highlighted these four:

1. “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18,
2. “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” - Colossians 3:17,
3. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courtyards with praise.  Give thanks to Him, bless His name.” – Psalm 100:4.
4. “Give thanks to the Lord, for Heis good; For His faithfulness is everlasting.” - 1 Chronicles 16:34.

HOW TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD

In the following scripture, the Prophet Isaiah lists five ways that we can give thanks to God:

• “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name.  Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted.  Praise the Lord in song, for He has done glorious things; Let this be known throughout the earth. Rejoice and shout for joy.” – Isaiah 4:4-6.

1. “ Call on His name .”  God wants to hear from us.  He wants to be a part of our lives every day.  As we receive blessings throughout the day, it is important for us to call on the name of the Lord and to give Him thanks.
2. “ Make known His deeds among the peoples .”  The Great Commission commands us to, “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Mathew 28:19-20.  As God brings people into our lives, it is critical that they see our love for the Lord and that we share what He has done for us.  (1 Peter 3:15)
3. “ Make them remember that His name is exalted .”  To exalt means, “To glorify or elevate something.” (source: Google Dictionary).  We give thanks to God when we treat Him with the reverence and respect that He is due.  As we glorify God and lift Him up, others are more likely to do the same. 
4. “ Praise the Lord in song .”  Singing songs of praise is an important part of our worship to God and one of the ways that we show our thanks to Him.  The Hebrew writer said, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” – Hebrews 2:12.  Other Bible verses that talk about the importance of song as a way of giving thanks include James 5:13, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Colossians 3:16, and Ephesians 5:19.   
5. “ Rejoice and shout for joy .”  When we begin to grasp the enormity of God’s grace and mercy, we should be filled with joy.  Sharing our joy with others is a wonderful way to give thanks and to glorify God!

CONCLUSION

God loved us before we loved Him.  He loved us enough to send us His Son so that we can be reconciled by His precious blood.  Therefore, it is only fitting that we give Him proper thanks and recognition. 

We will end today’s lesson with Luke’s account of ten leprous men that were healed by Jesus, and only one returned to give God the glory and say thank you. We want to make sure that we follow the example of this one individual who properly recognized God and not like the nine who did not.

• While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee.As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”  When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”  And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.” – Luke 17:11-19.