Topical Bible: Glorifying God: Heavenly Host Engaged In

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of glorifying God is a central theme throughout the Bible, and the heavenly host plays a significant role in this divine act. The heavenly host, often understood as the angels and celestial beings, are depicted in Scripture as continually engaged in the worship and glorification of God, reflecting His majesty and holiness.

Biblical References

1. Isaiah's Vision: In Isaiah 6:1-3, the prophet Isaiah describes a vision of the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Above Him stood seraphim, each with six wings, calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth." This passage highlights the seraphim's role in glorifying God, emphasizing His holiness and the fullness of His glory.

2. Heavenly Worship in Revelation: The book of Revelation provides vivid imagery of the heavenly host engaged in worship. Revelation 4:8-11 describes four living creatures, each with six wings, who never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!" The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, worshiping Him and casting their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."

3. The Angelic Announcement: In Luke 2:13-14, at the birth of Jesus, a multitude of the heavenly host appears with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!" This event underscores the role of the heavenly host in proclaiming God's glory at pivotal moments in redemptive history.

4. The Role of Angels: Hebrews 1:6 states, "And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: 'Let all God’s angels worship Him.'" This command for the angels to worship the Son further illustrates their role in glorifying God, acknowledging the divinity and supremacy of Christ.

Theological Significance

The engagement of the heavenly host in glorifying God serves as a model for earthly worship. Their continuous praise and adoration of God highlight His worthiness and the appropriate response of all creation to His divine nature. The heavenly host's worship is characterized by reverence, awe, and a recognition of God's sovereignty and creative power.

The glorification of God by the heavenly host also points to the ultimate purpose of all creation: to reflect and declare the glory of God. As beings created by God, the angels and celestial beings fulfill their purpose through their unceasing worship, setting an example for humanity to follow.

Implications for Believers

For believers, the heavenly host's engagement in glorifying God serves as an invitation to join in this eternal chorus of praise. It calls Christians to live lives that reflect God's glory, through worship, obedience, and the proclamation of His greatness. The heavenly host's example encourages believers to focus on God's attributes and works, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of His majesty and grace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 4:11
You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Delivered from Prison
... voices were now heard glorifying a vile ... the Father, joy thrills through all the heavenly
host. ... under apparently discouraging circumstances, God's servants are ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 15 delivered from prison.htm

Religious Joy.
... with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God ... to His glory is His
power of glorifying; so that ... already the first-fruits of our race, God and man ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xvii religious joy.htm

Christian Stewardship.
... the means in our possession for doing good and glorifying God. ... There is a heavenly
dignity in such a course, infinitely ... views or not, the work of God will go on ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter ii christian stewardship.htm

An Exhortation to Theodore after his Fall. Letter I.
... Then all the gates of the heavenly vaults are ... see clearly, and to join the angelic
host, you will ... And all were rejoicing, and glorifying God, that one nurtured ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/an exhortation to theodore after.htm

Chapter i
... They are far from teaching anything about heavenly bodies as "an animated host."
The attempts of ... God could have called forth these creatures by His mere word ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter i.htm

The Mystery
... This indicates the voice and song of the heavenly angels, glorifying the Father,
and ... of the Levite choristers, sounding forth the praises of God with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... When little tripping maidens follow God, And leave old doting sinners to His rod;
'Tis like those days wherein the young ones cried, Hosanna! ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

The Doctrine
... "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope
did; by the which we draw nigh unto God" (Hebrews 7:19). ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... objects of contemplation, and the harmony of the heavenly wonders, he ... unto Thee
[1098] ." How then are we glorifying the most blessed life of God, as this ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

The Holy War,
... The very sight of this accursed host is alone sufficient ... God sent his servants, Moses
and the prophets, with ... and then came Emmanuel and his heavenly army, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm