ANSWER: The book of Revelation was written in symbolic language and is not to be understood literally (Revelation 1:1, the word signified means that John was shown things in “signs,” which must shortly come to pass). So it is in this passage. Notice in the immediately preceding verses the symbolic language used relative to the Lamb, an obvious reference to Christ. Surely none would hold that Christ has seven literal eyes, seven literal horns, and seven literal spirits. All of these things are figurative and represent something else! He tells us in the verse under consideration that the golden bowls of incense represents something else. In this case, incense figuratively represents the prayers of the saints. So it is with the word “harps.” The writer is not speaking of literal harps, but rather in reference to something else. Most scholars hold that this reference to harps has to do with “praise” to God. Remember, heaven is not a physical place with physical things. It is a spiritual place!

In addition to this, worship service to God in the church is not remotely mentioned in this passage. If we were to try to use this verse has a basis for worship in the church, in order to be consistent, we would also have to insist that each (all) worshipper(s) have a harp and a bowl of incense. Clearly, those who would seek in this passage a pattern for Christian worship are in violation of the most basic rules of biblical interpretation!