Isaiah served as prophet under King Uzziah and in chapter six of the book by his name, we experience Isaiah's vision of heaven and his commissioning service. Interestingly, God's holiness did not inspire him to wave his hands, shout and sing praises. Instead, he fell on his face, covered his head and whispered, "I'm unworthy to be here. I'm a sinner and have brought filth into Your presence. Forgive me!"

Seeking forgiveness of sin is the bedrock of our Christian faith. In Psalm 51, David recounted his adultery with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba and said, "Against you only did I sin. Create in me a pure heart, O God." Isaiah came into the presence of the Lord and felt the same thing. "My sin has no place anywhere near You, Lord." It's then, in response to our humility and confession, that God takes our guilt, forgives our sin and invites us to come closer. We can then conclude that those without a desire to be clean cannot approach God.

In Revelation, the apostle John shares his vision of heaven. A plethora of symbolism, metaphors and images, Revelation reveals the sights and sounds of worship surrounding Jesus, the Lamb of God in the center of God's throne. There's no sin around Him, for as Isaiah stated sin cannot approach God in His holiness. In heaven sin is no more, but while worship is going on in heaven, people living on earth still need the atoning for their sin that the blood of Jesus offers.

Isaiah prayed for forgiveness as he approached God and in Revelation the Saints are forgiven and offering prayer and praise around God's throne. In case you haven't noticed, prayer is the center of worship in heaven and the basis of God's forgiveness of our sin on earth. A person knowing God's forgiveness for their sin will learn to pray. It's as simple as that!

Hebrews 9:22 tells us there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood. Revelation 22:14 says "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city." If you pray, and I hope you do, you don't presume to enter God's presence without confessing your sin and asking for forgiveness, do you?

1. Pray Through the Word - 365 devotionals on the subject of prayer by James R. Green (Isa 6; Rev 5)
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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