Quite often, when planning the Thanksgiving Day service, I liked to open with the hymn, "Praise and Thanksgiving." One thing I note in reading Revelation is that heaven knows how to hold a mighty service of praise and thanksgiving as well.
Let's look at these words of praise: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is and who is to come. (Rev, 4:8)
This verse is pure praise. These words glorify God for who He is - the eternal, holy Triune God. Look at the triplets in these words:
"Holy, holy, holy" - three holies
"Is the Lord God Almighty" - three names of God
"Who was, who is and who is to come" - three-fold description of God's eternal nature
But the praise isn't over. If you continue reading in chapter four, your learn of the acknowledgement of the One who gave the 24 Elders their crowns - You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.
How do the saints in heaven respond to the God who is the creator of everything? With praise and thanksgiving! This great hymn of praise is sung because in Christ's victory, all of heaven can gratefully come into the presence of the holy God.
Some day we who believe will be included in this heavenly praise service. Now, as we worship each Sunday, our Divine Service is a warmup for what is to come. Our God is present now - in His Word of forgiveness, in the bread and wine of the Supper and in the water of baptism. Forgiven for the sake of the Son of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can come into the presence of the Father and shout: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is and who is to come! To that there is nothing left to say but Amen!
