Thrones of God

The Bible talks about many thrones. Thrones represent power and sovereignty. There are thrones for kings, such as that which King David sat. And then there is the throne of God. God, who created all things, who is all powerful, all knowing and all present, who is loving and kind, just and righteous, sits on the throne in heaven. And Jesus Christ, the Son of God, sits at the right Hand of God the Father.

Revelation 4:1-11

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

I imagine what John saw when he was taken up to heaven was hard to imagine. What he saw would have been hard to describe. He would have beem in awe. Even the angels themselves are in awe of the Almighty God. One day we will see it too. Those who believe and trust in Jesus will live in eternity with Him.

Revelation 22:1-5

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

I wonder if this is a glimpse of what The Garden of Eden must have been like. Or perhaps, The Garden of Eden was a glimpse of what heaven is like. I imagine the tree of life represents eternal life that we were meant to experience, but because of The Fall and sin, we experience death, sin, pain and suffering in this life. Though we are all sinners, Jesus Christ made a way for us to again have access to the tree of life. He paid for our sins on the cross for us. Though He is God, He became a man and died in our place (For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23)

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He freely gave of Himself to save us. Though He was God the Son, He became a man and came to this earth in the flesh because He loved us that much, and He wanted us to have the gift of salvation. God’s desire is that no one would perish but have eternal life (2 Peter 3:9). Because of His love, righteousness, goodness and sacrifice, He sits at the right hand of God the Father. He was there during creation, and is there now, and will always be there. He is King and Lord.

Philippians 2:5-11

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In the next post we will discuss the throne of Christ. Jesus is our Lord and King and so much more. He is the Son of God. He is our Redeemer and Savior. Through Him all things exist, and through Him and only through Him, we are saved from our sins and have eternal life. May you be blessed and may you know Him.