END OF TIME PROPHECIES 071

THE THRONE SET IN HEAVEN       Revelation 4v2. 

"Behold a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne........".


A throne symbolizes a sovereign authority to rule; the throne of heaven symbolizes the highest authority in the universe, reaching to the furthest extremities whatever that may be.   The throne is said to be "set in heaven."   This word "set" could be rendered "established or unmovable", and carries the idea of permanency.    This word is used in the New Testament to describe a dead body in a grave (Matthew 8v26); the foundation of a building (1st Corinthians 3v11);  the sun and moon said to be "set in the heavens" (Genesis 1v17); "a city set on a hill" ( Matthew 5v14).   Clearly we are looking at a permanent fixture in terms of sovereign rule in the heaven of heavens.   This throne has been in place since before the world's foundation, it is in place now, and it will be in place forever.    Scriptures abound with this fact: 

• 2nd Samuel 7v16      -     "Thine house and Thy kingdom shall be established forever be Me: Thy throne shall be established forever."
• 1st Chronicles 17v14     -     "I will stablish His throne forever."
• Psalm 45v6     -     "Thy throne o God is forever and forever."
• Psalm 93v1-2     -     "The Lord reigneth , He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself; THE WORLD also is established, that it cannot be moved.   Thy throne is established of old, Thou art from everlasting." 
• Hebrews 12v26-28         -    "Whose voice then shook the earth: but now He hath promised, saying, yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.   And this word yet once more signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.   Wherefore  we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, where we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." 

We are entering the august presence  of the Majesty in the heavens.   The court is in session, issues are being discussed, verdicts are being rendered, sentences are being passed; throughout these two chapters there is intensive activity in the courts of heaven. There is also adoration from the courtiers for His righteous judgments.

Every being who has ever lived in this world will one day stand before this throne to give account.   King Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 12 v13-14, as he sums up the whole issues of life "let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep is commandments for this is the whole duty of man.   For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."   Paul writes to the Romans and quotes from Isaiah 45v23 like this  "we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, for it is written, as I live saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God.   So then everyone of us shall give account of himself to God."    Describing the twin truths of the humiliation and exaltation of Jesus Christ, Paul writes to the Philippians saying   "God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."      No matter who we are we shall all at one time or another stand before this throne.    In the next few descriptions of the court settings, the fact that we shall be there brings the whole scene vividly before our eyes.   We will everyone of us stand in this courtroom and in this setting.   What we shall see then will be the awesome majesty of the God of heaven and then we will know the truth.