Holy, Holy, Holy

2022-12-15

Holy means being set apart, but when applied to God, the definition does not go far enough. Before the world was, from what or whom was He set apart? He is so high above our ways and thoughts that we cannot possibly understand Him. He is “wholly other” from all things. He is superior to all and unique to all. The Scriptures use the phrase “Holy, holy, holy” twice, and these passages give us a glimpse of that holiness.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:3)

Creatures called seraphims were the ones saying this. In the context, we see that God was enthroned very high above all. In this verse, we see that the LORD’s glory fills the earth. The voices moved the posts of the door. Isaiah immediately admitted his uncleanness and his unworthiness.

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)

Here, we see the throne room of the Lord, complete with jewels that look like gems and rainbows. Thunder and lightning came from this throne. A sea of crystal-like glass was in front of the throne. Four beasts cried out this statement in Revelation 4:8. His holiness is also tied to his eternality: “which was, and is, and is to come.” While the saved have eternal life, we are not from everlasting like He is. Twenty-four elders fall prostrate before Him. God is worthy of all worship because He created everything for that purpose. They cannot stop saying that God is holy; it is always true and cannot be overstated.

Like Isaiah, we are not worthy to enter His presence. Because the holy Son of God bore the wrath of the Father, shedding His own blood, He has made us clean before Him.

Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. (Isaiah 6:6-7)