Approaching the Throne

     Picture yourself receiving an invitation to meet with God in His throne room. Not a metaphorical meeting, but a real, face-to-face encounter with the Creator of everything. What would you do to prepare? What thoughts would race through your mind? Most of us would carefully consider every detail – our attire, our words, our timing, our approach. We certainly wouldn't treat it casually, showing up whenever we felt like it or speaking whatever came to mind. Yet this isn't just a thought experiment. Prayer is exactly this – an invitation into God's throne room. We have unlimited access to approach God, a privilege that believers in the Old Testament could hardly imagine. Yes, we're God's children, and He invites us to call Him Father. But true prayer begins with recognizing His holiness.
     The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse into this reality. John's vision shows us how believers and angels approach God's throne. It's not a one-time event but a continuous scene of worship. The four living creatures never stop declaring "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." This triple declaration of holiness isn't just repetition for emphasis. It points to something deeper about God's nature and character.
     Let's break down what we mean by God's holiness. At its core, holiness marks the absolute distinction between the Creator and His creation. Everything in existence falls into one of two categories: things that were created and the One who has always existed. This distinction matters enormously for how we approach God in prayer. We don't become holy by somehow becoming God. Instead, we become holy because God chooses to place His Spirit within us. It's His character shared with us, not our achievement of His status.
     The throne room scene in Revelation 4 shows us three crucial responses to God's holiness that should shape our prayers. First, there's declaration. The living creatures proclaim God's holiness constantly. They recognize and announce that His ways are higher, His thoughts are higher, His power is greater, and His wisdom is deeper than anything in creation. This declaration serves two purposes – it exalts God and expresses our submission. When we declare God's holiness in prayer, we're both praising His character and acknowledging our place before Him.
     Second, we see worship. The twenty-four elders fall down before God and cast their crowns before His throne. They recognize that everything they have – even their achievements and rewards – comes from Him and belongs to Him. Their worship isn't forced or formal. It's a spontaneous response to experiencing God's presence. They can't help but worship because they see Him as He truly is. This should challenge how we approach prayer. Do we come casually, or do we come recognizing we're in the presence of the One who created and sustains everything?
     Third, we see honor and respect demonstrated through specific actions. The elders fall prostrate. They deliberately place their crowns before God's throne. They choose their words carefully. These aren't empty rituals – they're physical expressions of inner reverence. This matters for our prayers because it shows that reverence and intimacy aren't opposites. In fact, proper reverence enhances our intimacy with God. When we approach Him with appropriate respect, we create space for deeper relationship.
     The Greek word used for the laying down of crowns could mean either "laying" or "casting" the crowns. If they're laying them down, it suggests careful, deliberate honor. If they're casting them down, it suggests spontaneous, overwhelming awe. Either way, it shows that approaching God's holiness produces both thoughtful respect and passionate response.
     Think about how this applies to our prayer lives. Often, we swing between two extremes. Sometimes we're too casual, treating prayer like a quick text message to a buddy. Other times, we're so formal that we lose any sense of relationship with our Father. The throne room scene shows us a better way – deep reverence that leads to deeper intimacy.
     Here's what this means practically. Start your prayers by acknowledging God's holiness. Take time to consider who you're speaking to. Choose your words thoughtfully, not out of fear but out of respect. Remember that while God invites you to come boldly to His throne, it's still His throne. Let your physical posture reflect your heart's posture when possible. Sometimes this might mean kneeling. Other times it might mean finding a quiet place where you can focus fully on prayer.
     The scene in Revelation shows us that worship in heaven is focused entirely on God, not on the created order or the worshippers themselves. Our prayers should follow this pattern. Instead of focusing primarily on our needs or desires, we should start with who God is. This doesn't mean we can't bring our requests to God – He invites us to do exactly that. But it means our prayers should flow from a recognition of His character and authority.
     Remember also that the beings in heaven declare God's holiness "day and night." While we can't literally pray without ceasing, we can cultivate an ongoing awareness of God's holiness that shapes how we live and pray. This awareness should affect not just our formal prayer times but our entire approach to life.
     The throne room scene isn't meant to intimidate us or keep us from praying. Instead, it shows us how to pray in a way that honors God and benefits us. When we approach God with appropriate reverence, we position ourselves to experience more of His presence and power in our lives. We create space for real transformation.
     As you pray today, try starting with a declaration of God's holiness. Acknowledge the distinction between Creator and creation. Remember that you're entering the throne room of the universe's sovereign Lord. Let that awareness shape your words and attitudes. You might find that this approach doesn't diminish your prayer experience but enriches it beyond what you imagined possible.