omits the recognition of His holiness.  We cannot honour Him if we do not with

reverence and regard remember that we stand on holy ground.

The effect of these words of the living ones upon the four and twenty elders is to cause

them to fall down and worship, casting their browns before the throne saying:--

Creation and its purpose form the basis of the elders' utterance. The living ones spoke

of what the Lord is - holy, the elders of what He has done ­ creation.

We have in a previous article called attention to the logical connection established in

the book of Job between God's creative power and righteousness. Here, the living ones

and elders link holiness, glory, honour and power with creation. Creation as it is, as well

as what it will be; creation that groans and that has been subjected to vanity; creation in

its present bondage as well as its future liberty is a manifestation of His holiness, and is

for His will. Puny man, with defective logic and a specious humanitarianism, would

draw conclusions from his conception of the love of God that would not allow the

Scriptural logic of Job or Revelation a place. "The things that are made" are divinely

intended to teach "that which may be known of God, even His eternal power and Deity"

(Rom. 1: 19, 20). "The heavens declare the glory of God", and we are not allowed by the

Scriptures to brush aside the many strange and apparently opposite elements in creation

to conjure up some Utopia of our own, whose God would have to repudiate the works of

His hands, or change the meaning of His attributes. The present creation is the work of a

holy and a righteous God; it is a necessary link in the chain of His purpose, and

supplements and illustrates the teaching of the Word. The A.V. reads, "for Thy pleasure

they are and were created". The word rendered "pleasure" is almost always rendered

"will". This is a striking introduction. Creation will seem to have become in the day of

the Lord almost universally given over to evil. The words before the Throne give us the

aspect of those who see that which at present only eyes of faith can discern. They see

creation still beneath His control. Creation was for His will; it shall accomplish His will,

His holy will, in spite of all appearances and opposition. As to how it will do so may

await further light and higher knowledge, but that it will do so is comfort to your hearts in

the days of stress and evil.

Let us test every theory regarding creation and its purpose by the utterances of those

nearest the Throne, first, ever remember that He who created all things, all, whatever

their kind or function, is essentially holy, and secondly, let us remember that all was

created "for His will". Creation is a part of the great purpose of the Lord God Almighty,

and must be so viewed.

With this preparation we are introduced to a scene that takes us one step nearer to the

great theme of the Revelation. "Thou are worthy" (cried the elders in reference to

creation), "to receive glory and honour and power". We shall hear that cry again when in