Ceaseless worship
When John enters heaven, he stumbles into a worship service. Four living creatures offer praise “day and night without cease” ( anapausis ), like the saints in 7:15 (like the temple servants in Leviticus 8:35; 1 Chronicles 9:33).
The Lord exacts ceaseless day-and-night worship later on in the book: Those who worship the beast and his image, who are sealed with his seal, are tormented forever (14:9-12). The Lord pours a libation of wrath over them, and their smoke rises like a continuous offering(v. 10). The same fate awaits the beasts and the dragon (20:10).
Worship appears to be inescapable. Either worship God day and night, or worship beasts and dragons. Either way, the worship will be without cessation.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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