I wrote an article recently about the Song of the Lamb from Revelation 4 and 5, and the power that results when the saints declare the holiness of our God. But I hadn’t seen the connection with government and praying for our leaders until I noticed a pattern. The supernatural chain of events resulting in the heavenly host calling all of creation to bow down before a Holy God only came after the ELDERS bowed down in worship!

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. (Revelation 4:9-11 ESV)

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The elders in Revelation represent governing authority in the heavens. As we are to reflect God’s will “on earth as it is in heaven” this is a pattern to watch and learn from. According to this picture, the elders are responding to the four living creatures who sit right next to the throne. The elders’ close proximity to the throne and to the activities of heaven COMPEL them to respond in worship by throwing down their crowns and personal rights to authority, in order to give all glory to the King on His throne.

And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:8-10)

Notice that the elders respond to the sacrifice of the Lamb and His sole right to secure salvation and rule from the heavens. Notice, also, that they are “holding a harp,” representing their life of worship and golden bowls of incense which are the prayers of the saints. I believe this indicates the call upon leaders on the earth to live a life of worship and prayer if they are to rightly discern the activities of heaven. If they do, and willingly lay down their crowns and personal glory, a chain reaction of events will occur in the heavens.

Following this declaration in verses 8-10, it goes on to say that, as a result, myriads of angels joined in the chorus and called “every created thing” to bow down and worship the Holy One who lives forever (see Revelation 5:11-13). This includes every demon from hell! That means that this pattern of worship will result in demons submitting to the throne and losing their ground. Principalities will have to bow. Territorial spirits will have to bow. This kind of worship, led by the four living creatures and elders, triggers an avalanche of power from the throne to defeat and unseat every other god and power that has set itself up against the throne of God!

As if to bring it full circle, the chapter concludes with the elders responding by giving all praise and honor to the Lord for causing this to happen.

And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:14)

We need to pray for our leaders. We need to pray that they would stay in close proximity to the throne of God through their worship and prayers. We must pray that their hearts would be hungry and their spirits stirred to WATCH and LISTEN to the instructions coming from the throne and respond accordingly. Even as our flesh seeks to take the glory for ourselves, we must pray that even the most gifted and charismatic leader would not fall prey to this temptation, but gladly throw their crowns before the Lamb.

Even as heaven is calling for all the saints to enter this kind of throne room worship to exult His holiness, we must continue to pray that our leaders would take their place and lead by example. They only have authority because it has been given to them from on high. Let us pray that they use it wisely and humbly, willingly surrendering it all for the sake of The One who laid down His life so that all would have access to His throne of glory and grace.