Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Extended Explanation
This verse is the final moment of the worship scene in Revelation chapter 4. The twenty-four elders, who have just fallen down and laid their crowns before God’s throne, now speak words of praise. They say what all of heaven already knows: God is worthy.
They address Him as “our Lord and God,” showing both personal relationship and reverence. Then they list three things He is worthy to receive: glory, honor, and power. These are not things God needs from us—they already belong to Him. But when we give them to Him in praise, we are recognizing the truth about who He is.
Why is God worthy? Because He created all things. Everything exists because of Him. It was His will, His decision, that brought creation into being—and His power keeps it going. This verse draws attention to the fact that God is not only in charge, but that He is the source of everything. Nothing exists apart from Him.
Historical Context
In John’s time, Roman emperors were often praised with similar words. People called them “lord,” gave them honor, and sometimes even worshiped them as gods. But this scene in heaven makes it clear: only one is truly worthy of such praise—and it’s not Caesar. It’s the One who sits on heaven’s throne, who created the universe and sustains it by His will.
Early Christians were under pressure to bow to human authority. This vision reminded them—and reminds us—that God is the only One who deserves total worship. All other rulers are temporary. God is forever.
Theological Implications
This verse tells us that God is worthy simply because of who He is and what He has done. His worth isn’t based on how we feel or what’s happening around us. It’s based on truth. He made everything. He owns everything. He deserves everything.
It also highlights God’s sovereignty. All of creation exists by His will—not by accident, not by chance. This includes galaxies, mountains, oceans, and every person. That means you are not here by accident. Your life has purpose because it came from God’s heart and mind.
This verse also tells us that worship is about declaring truth. The elders aren’t begging God for anything—they are simply stating what’s true and giving Him the praise He deserves.
Literary Analysis
The language of this verse is both simple and majestic. The elders don’t use complicated words, but the meaning is deep. The phrase “You are worthy” is central to all biblical worship—it means recognizing that God deserves the place of highest value in our lives.
The structure is also meaningful. The sentence moves from who God is (our Lord and God), to what He deserves (glory, honor, and power), to why He deserves it (because He created everything by His will). This form builds worship in a clear and strong direction, from reverence to reason.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
- Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
- Psalm 104:24 – “How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all…”
- Colossians 1:16 – “For in him all things were created… all things have been created through him and for him.”
- Acts 17:28 – “For in him we live and move and have our being.”
- Romans 11:36 – “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever!”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse reminds us that God is worthy of our whole lives. He is not a side interest. He’s not a backup plan. He is the Creator, the Sustainer, the Source of everything. That means He deserves our worship, trust, and obedience.
It also teaches us to live with humility. If God created everything, then everything we have—our bodies, our talents, our time, our resources—is a gift. And we’re meant to use those gifts to honor Him, not ourselves.
Finally, it gives us hope. If our God is the one who made all things and keeps them going, then He can handle our lives too. He is strong enough, wise enough, and loving enough to be trusted with everything.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
A loving God doesn’t just create and walk away. He sustains. He gives life. He holds everything together—not from a distance, but with care and purpose.
This verse shows that love is not soft or passive. God’s love is powerful—it creates. It gives being to things that did not exist. It brings order, beauty, and purpose.
And the fact that God made all things by His will tells us something personal: you were God’s idea. He wanted you here. That’s love.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Though this verse focuses on God the Father, it connects directly to Jesus. In John 1:3, we read that through Jesus all things were made. Colossians 1:16 says the same—Jesus is the One through whom and for whom everything was created.
Jesus is the exact image of God (Hebrews 1:3). The same worship offered here to “our Lord and God” is offered to the Lamb in the very next chapter (Revelation 5:12). Jesus is also worthy—not just because He created, but because He gave His life to redeem what had fallen.
So when we praise the Creator, we are also praising Christ. He is not just Savior—He is Lord, the Maker of all things.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does it mean to you personally that God is “worthy”?
- How does remembering that God created and sustains all things change the way you see your daily life?
- Are there areas where you’re holding back worship, honor, or trust that belong to God?
- What does it look like to live in a way that gives God “glory, honor, and power”?
- How does Jesus’ role in creation help you understand His importance more deeply?