Three Times Holy

"And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." (Revelation 4:8)

The attributes of God . . . what are they? When you think of God, what do you think of? His mercy? His love? His power? In fact, a weekly Bible Study that I teach, we just had a question – "What does it mean to have a heart like God?" Most of us gave answers that reflected his attributes such as love, compassion, mercy, etc.

The Bible gives us a glimpse of the most significant attribute of God, one that we don't often want to deal with. Take a peek into the throne room of God and hear what the angels are saying: "Holy, holy, holy!" In the Bible, emphasis is put on words that are repeated or mentioned twice such as "Truly, truly . . ." or "Lord, Lord . . ." But when we see a word spoken three times, it bears a weighty significance that demands our attention.

Isaiah 6:3 confirms the vision of John in Revelation 4:8 when Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up, seated on His throne, and the train of His glory filled the temple. He saw the angels . . . "and one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." In fact, the sound of the seraphim reverberates throughout eternity as they worship before the Throne . . . "Holy, holy, holy!" They aren't around the throne proclaiming, "Love, love, love!" or "Mercy, mercy, mercy!" They are proclaiming the holiness of God, not just in passing, but over and over and over throughout all eternity.

What is the greatest attribute of God? God is HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!

When we consider God, let's consider His holiness . . . and then follow up with Peter's admonition written under the anointing of the Spirit of God: "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (behavior); because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16)

When you are faced with decisions, choices, and opportunities, remember Leviticus 20:7: "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God." And, as we've just seen, our God is HOLY, HOLY, HOLY – perfectly holy in every way!

Father, as I consider You I often think of You as love, abounding in mercy, full of grace, and mighty in power. When I consider Your holiness, however, I am quickly humbled and convicted of my sin, and drawn to repentance. Father, forgive me for not often contemplating Your holy nature and lacking reverence and fear of Your holiness. Cleanse me, Lord, of my unrighteousness and teach me how to be holy as You are holy, holy, holy! In Jesus' name, by His blood, and for His glory, amen and amen!

"Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you." (Leviticus 20:7-8)

© Jan Ross
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