Unity in Worship
by Dale M. Sides
Never before in the history of Christianity has such attention been given to Bible prophecy. It is scarcely possible to pick up a Christian publication or tune to a Christian radio station or television channel without hearing something about the fulfillment of end-time prophecies. No one knows the exact day or hour when the Lord will return, but where we are going is absolutely certain--we are all headed toward unity of worship in the throne room of God.
The final destination of all believers will be the throne of God in worship before Him. Psalm 86:9 makes this perfectly clear.
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. Psalms 86:9
The book of unfulfilled prophecy, Revelation, gives the greatest account of our final destiny. Revelation 4:1 gives some details concerning the rapture of the church of Jesus Christ. After being gathered together, it is revealed in Revelation 4:2 where the church is going. We will finally meet before the throne of Almighty God.
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. Revelation 4:1,2
All creatures in heaven, angels and people, will be in total unison as they sing praises. Everyone will be in complete and total unity in worship before the throne.
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Revelation 5:13
Worshipping our Father is not only the primary purpose of mankind, but it is the direction the Holy Spirit is leading the church, especially in these days and times. Since we are all headed toward the same destination, wouldn't it make sense that that we should start now, if the Lord is directing us that way?
Not only is the church being directed toward worship, it is also prophesied that the church will grow in unity in the end times. From the Word of God we understand that the measure of maturity in the body of Christ will be directly reflected in the unity we have.
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect [mature] man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: Ephesians 4:13
If we are living in the end times, then the truth of unity must be evidenced now, too. It is!!
The context of Ephesians 4:13 is the ascension gift ministries in the church. All genuinely directed apostles are establishing churches founded upon unity in Jesus Christ. All genuinely directed prophets are preaching repentance toward holiness for worship. All true teachers are teaching about unity within the body of Christ. Evangelists are reaping the harvest, as the pastors are binding the wounds of division and healing ruptured relationships throughout the body of Christ.
Make no mistake--the Holy Spirit is leading the church toward unity and worship. Satanic division that has split the church is being overthrown by love. Strongholds of doctrinal sectarianism are crumbling as the ministries and members in particular stand together and worship the Most High God. Doctrinal differences seem small in the presence of our unifying bonds of love and worship.
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ephesians 4:14,15
Worship is the place where all Christianity can and will be unified. Denominationally-biased belief systems melt as wax in the presence of Him Who has been, is now, and forever will be. When we are in the presence of God, He is the one Who speaks. Let all the earth keep silent before Him and admire His glory and splendor. When we stand before God, He does not care so much about our belief systems as He does about our love and obedience for Him.
The church of Jesus Christ is growing in maturity. Seventy percent of all persons ever belonging to the body of Christ have lived since 1900. The church is growing toward fullness. It is growing in mature stature. It is growing in unity of worship. It is headed toward its eternal destiny--the throne room of God. Our final maturity will be manifested in the unity of worship before the throne of Almighty God.
Let us endeavor to keep the unity of [worship in] the spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
