worship | Stephen Nielsen

In Revelation 7 (from the sixth seal judgment) John, in his vision, saw a great multitude of people praising God.

Revelation 7:9-12

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying,

“Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

This great multitude we know are the resurrected martyrs of the fifth seal (v. 14); and they are worshipping God around His throne with the angels, and also with the elders—who are actually the resurrected church (that will be us!). What a glorious group!

John tells us that this great multitude had washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (v. 14); for this reason, they are before the throne of God (v. 15). Hence, they worship Him because they are so grateful to God and the Lamb for their salvation which He purchased for them with His own blood.

And in their worship, they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He spreads His tabernacle over them—which means that He covers them with His presence. And they will no longer hunger or thirst or suffer from the heat of the sun; for He, their Shepherd will guide them to the springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes (vv. 15-17).

This particular scene is during the Tribulation period in heaven. Of course, after the Tribulation and during the Millennial Kingdom and for all eternity we will still be worshipping Him, and for the same reasons—because He has saved us and is with us, and because He loves us and cares for us.

We will never stop serving Him or worshipping Him. In fact, our service (which includes our reigning) and our worship in some respects are the same. Our service is how we worship Him. And all that we will do in heaven forever will be for the glory of God and to bring Him worship. And that will also bring us pleasure.

None of our earthly pleasures can compare with the delight we will get in serving and worshipping Him. The Psalmist wrote, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth” (Ps. 73:25).

I don’t remember much in regard to church during my younger years. Our family moved a lot, so nothing was too stable. The highlight during those years was when I was saved at a Free Church camp. That must mean that we were attending a Free Church. I remember every detail about the day I was saved, but nothing about church.

A couple years later, when I was about 15, I slightly remember the Presbyterian church. What I like most about that church was being on the church basketball team. I think it was also during that time that I got involved with a para-church group called Campus Crusade for Christ—their Junior High ministry. That wasn’t exactly church, but to me it was much better than church. It was a fun club with a lot of fun activities. And we also did Bible studies and invited inspiring speakers to our meetings. This group also lasted through high school, and I became very involved. It was where my spiritual life first began to grow. One challenging part of the group was being trained to witness; and we would go out to Lake Calhoun beach and witness to people. We shared a booklet called the Four Spiritual Laws. Me and a friend always went together. We actually were able to see some people pray to receive Christ right there on the beach. What a thrill!

During those high school years, I remember going to church every Sunday, but I really wasn’t too involved. My involvement was in the Campus Crusade for Christ group. Some people are against para-church groups. But I thank God for them. If it wasn’t for that group I don’t know where I would be. It has really served a good purpose in my life in growing me up spiritually—putting me on the right track.

After high school I enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to Vietnam. It was tough but God sustained me. At the end of my time in the service, when I was at Camp Lajune, N.C., I ran into another para-church group, The Navigators. For the next 4 years, even after I was discharged, I was in ministry with them on the Marine base. I lived in Jacksonville N.C. and commuted to the Marine base to do bible studies and evangelism with them.

After that period of 4 years I moved home to Minnesota. That was when, for the first time, I began to be more regularly involved in the local church. I was in the choir and also involved in the single ministry. From then on until now I have always been more regular in church.

I think it’s so important to have regular fellowship with other believers, and also to use whatever gifts you have to minister in the church. I also think it’s important to come every Sunday to the church service to hear the preaching of the word and to worship in song. I look forward to coming to church every Sunday.

The place where I go now for worship is actually a city community center. We are a new church and don’t have our own building. But there is plenty of room at the center and they don’t mind at all that we are there. My main ministry is to help set up for worship before the service, and then tear it down after the service. There is a team of about ten of us that do it—and we love working together for the glory of God.