On Earth as in Heaven: Worship in Revelation

What would our worship look like if we modeled it after worship in heaven?

Revelation 4 paints a breathtaking scene—thunder and lightning, the sea of glass, living creatures crying out, “Holy, holy, holy,” and twenty-four elders casting their crowns before the throne. It is reverent. It is joyful. It is completely centered on God’s majesty and glory.

Paige Patterson, in his New American Commentary, makes a powerful observation: “When the saints assemble, the worship of every church ought always to be nothing less than a rehearsal for the day when we enter the heavenly worship described here.”

When we gather as the body of Christ, we are not simply filling a time slot in the week. We are invited to join together here on earth with those in heaven in praise of the One who sits on the throne.

Patterson continues: “While nothing ever attempted on earth can challenge, whether in grandeur or purpose, the worship of heaven, the best approximation of that worship ought always to be the goal. The standard of maximum participation in the worship experience, together with the centrality of Christ and a theological comprehension of him, must be the theme of genuine worship.”

So what does that look like for us in local churches?

1. Christ-Centered Worship. Revelation shows us that worship is not about what we want, but about who God is. True worship is saturated with the glory of Jesus. Every song, prayer, and moment should point our hearts to Him.
2. Participation of the Saints. Worship in heaven is not passive. Everyone is involved. In our churches, we must guard against performance and instead encourage participation. The congregation is not the audience—God is.
3. Theological Depth. The songs of heaven are theologically rich: “You are worthy… for you created all things.” Our worship should reflect that same depth. We need words and songs that help us know God more and respond rightly to Him.
4. A Spirit of Reverence and Joy. The heavenly scene is filled with awe, but not dread. It is joyful reverence. Worship is our response to the beauty, holiness, and majesty of God—and that should stir deep emotion and reverence.

Our churches—small and large, rural and urban—can be places of authentic, God-pleasing worship, a foretaste of what is to come. Let us plan and lead worship with heaven in mind.

It may not look grand on the outside. But if Christ is at the center, if hearts are engaged, and if the Word is treasured, then it will be a holy echo of the scene described in Revelation 4.

Because when we worship like heaven, we align our hearts with the eternal reality: Jesus is on the throne, and He is worthy.

We would love to hear your comments and encouragement of one another on how we can worship the way that Jesus would want.