Thursday, August 6, 2009

Moving From Theology To Doxology

An article I wrote for Streaming Faith, adapted from SOTB IV...


The title of the Bible’s last book, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is also translated as “The Apocalypse", or better said “The Unveiling", specifically, the final unveiling of Jesus, the King! This beautiful book, which describes through prophetic symbols the ultimate triumph of the Christ, is not only a message of hope and reconciliation for the earth, it is also an anointed Psalter.

But it has, unfortunately, become primarily associated with doom and gloom and dark, ominous threats of things to come in recent years. This modern concept of The Apocalypse has evolved from a pessimistic paradigm that is the result of a legalistic interpretation of the Scriptures and a misunderstanding of original languages.

But John’s glorious vision of the Lamb’s dominion is actually built around seven joyous doxologies which describe what he saw and heard every time heaven (or the spirit-realm) was opened up to him:

Mass Choirs. Loud, exuberant singing. Orchestras with enormous brass sections. And songs of worship sung in unison by countless saints, martyrs, overcomers, angels and every other created thing in heaven, in earth, and even in “Hades"!


And I heard every created thing in heaven and on earth and under the earth [in Hades, the place of departed spirits] and on the sea and all that is in it, crying out together, To Him Who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb be ascribed the blessing and the honor and the majesty (glory, splendor) and the power (might and dominion) forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities)! (Revelation 5:13 – Amp)


The word doxology is defined as a liturgical prayer or hymn of praise to God and is from the Latin doxologia (a combination of doxa, meaning praise, glory and honor) and logos (which means speech or “to speak”). The verb that is translated into English as “to worship” is found twenty-four times in The Revelation, far more than in any other New Testament book.


In fact, these references to worship in John’s vision make up almost half of its New Testament occurrences. Also, the word “Hallelujah", which means “to shout the Hallel to Jah” and is the only word that is the same in every language on earth, is only found in The Revelation!

And this brings us to the universal purpose of worship: it is the means by which all people of faith are able to move from theology—from studying God, espousing their ideas about God, arguing and dividing over the doctrines of God, fighting and starting wars over their different concepts about God—and enter into the dimension of doxology, where the top priority is simply to join with all creation in fulfilling its purpose of glorifying God.

In a word, doctrine divides us, but worship unites us, and the “unveiling”—or the place where we behold nothing but the Lamb of God—occurs through our worship!

17 comments:

Erik said...

Shabach – ‘ALL perceptions of God are equally valid’

‘The Unveiling’ of Heaven in Earth NOW, present at this moment is what We do by discovering, seeing in the mirror, knowing in each other God in EVERYTHING and EVERYONE!

Heaven and Earth have merged from the foundation. We are in the process of clarifying Our sight of this. Unveiling it everywhere. Only gain exists through this , broadening, expanding, flowing with The Wind that blows where it will, across the Globe as We know it, and beyond what We know.

Worship does unite. In Worshipping God (by any and all paradigms) there is unity.

God is beyond definition or understanding by one or a few groups. All on The Earth together only form a part of God. It is the opening that God is beyond Us All that introduces the beginning if understanding. That is where the fun begins.

Imagine what The Whore of Babylon experienced in the transformation into The Bride! That exemplified just a piece of The Beginning. Relax and Enjoy. We Trust in God – exponentially beyond our paradigm.

Any paradigm is a tiny sliver. Clung to and defended, demanded is self limiting. God is beyond self and condition.

Live Free or die in limitation.

Erik said...

Note - Watching late night TV, TNT -"Previous - UP ALL NIGHT station' War of the Worlds in 30's interrupts 'Edgar Bergen' show in the initial minutes - Priceless.

Anonymous said...

Alwyn Marsden said...

That is a great article Jim, I was writing last night myself about how most people seem happy to talk "about" god and "about" love and how this plague of aboutism covers the living reality of Christ here and now. I believe the injunction to be as a child is part of the solution, children have no conditioned concepts and as such can only experience ... Read Morewhat "is" here and now. I also believe that is what He was talking about when pronouncing woe to the scribes for travelling the world and finding a convert only to make him twise a son of hell as before. The concepts they were so proud of only served to cover the reality of God here and Now. All our "abouts" are based on fantasy or symbology of a past experience. True knowing can only occur here and now!.

Anonymous said...

A Huge AMEN! and PRAISE GOD! I wish to God that many others would get this view of this beautifully book.

Peace,
Dennis

Anonymous said...

Doctrine divides but worship unites is so simply that people can't seem to grasp it. It seems as though we have been in a posture of worship for awhile and I have really enjoyed the fellowship with Him. It has brought me closer to the people that I worship with thus proving the point that worship unites.

I'm especially worshipping that I am here to celebrate my birthday so I think I will celebrate all month. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, I'M ALIVE and FREE.

Anonymous said...

Jon Scott said...

Beautiful. I love it!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Scott Watkins said...

YES! Much needed words...

karl cobos said...

Wow!

Anonymous said...

I want to make a comment,but what do I say. How can people (Preachers) see this book so differently. So much running thru my mind. For now Hallelujah!!! Keith*******************************PS Beautifully written Bishop...

Anonymous said...

Catherine Clay Childree said...

Awesome. I love it! Thank you "man of God" for sharing this. Now that's "true" praise & worship. The real deal. Hallelujah!

Son of Zadok said...

I know everyone has their own take on things, but the, "From the Candlestick to the Throne", series by Eby is such a revelatory treat.

Here is a link to all the writings recorded on audio by a lady who sounds like she came out of 'Lord of the Rings' or something. Great stuff.

Have a wonderful evening everyone.

http://globalhousechurch.tripod.com/id38.html

Donald said...

I've been studying some teachings on the book by some authors who agree with your position and I must say that what I am seeing now certainly sounds a whole bunch gooder than what I've been taught most of my life.

Iris said...

One of my most favorite places to be in the universe is at the throne of God worshiping...

To experience the very essence of worship in all aspects are beyond anything that can be earthly explained... It transcends deep into the spirit, and makes the soul respond to an intimate place only worship brings...

It's a place where Heaven and Earth open the curtains of uncertainty, and we become eyewitnesses of His Majesty... to be transformed, and can never return the same...

To worship You I live... To worship You I livee...I live to worship You... OOOOOH, OOOOOH, (I sing OOOOOH, OOOOH from the deepest place of my being) I live to worship YOU.

Worshiping the very essence of God is the air I breath...
Iris

Erik... I love what you wrote... and love love the truth in the statement... "Live Free or die in limitation.

Son of Zadok said...

Some really, really good stuff here people.

Iris, wow.

Izumi/JOY said...

To everyone who's been tehillah and shabach - oh, God! So glad it's Friday, and yadah, yadah, yadah!

Anonymous said...

Terrell Bishop Teezy Davis said...

This brings back to mind Byron Cage's "Shabach" with the FGBCF Mass Choir!

Anonymous said...

Pedro E. Alvarado said...

This is awesome! All the more reason you're one of my favorite preachers. However, there are two other words that mean the same in every language;1. okay and 2. Coke...lol God bless you, Bishop!!!