Revelation 5:13a
And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying…
Whereas Psalm 8:7-8 identifies THREE realms of creatures that are subject to humans’ dominion (land, air and sea), our text identifies FOUR realms of creatures that shall worship God in the last days. When we compare and contrast these two similar but different descriptions, we learn some powerful truths.
On one hand, our delegated authority over three realms is quite impressive. This is certainly encouraging. It’s encouraging to know that our Heavenly Father has entrusted such awesome power into the hands of mortal men. Yet on the other hand, the limits of our human dominion are quite clear. This is certainly humbling and sobering.
It’s also a testimony to the paradox of humanness–that we are made in the image of God and yet are still mortal. That we have treasure, but it’s contained in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7). That the outward man perishes, but the inner man is renewed day by day (2 Cor. 4:16). That we have been saved (Ep 2:8-9), but we are being saved (Phi 2:12).
Beloved, one of these days, every realm shall worship the Father. Soon and very soon, all creation shall magnify the Lamb. Before we know it, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phi 2:10-11). I choose to do it today. Voluntarily.
Pastor Josh