Daily Thought

Invited by a voice from inside the door that had been opened, John found before him a throne. The voice he had heard was authoritative like the trumpet call that delivered orders during military manoeuvres. Facing him now was the throne from which those orders would have emanated. This is the eternal throne, occupied by the eternal God.

Around that throne were twenty-four other thrones; they also were occupied; twenty-four elders occupied those thrones, v. 4, each of whom was crowned. Daniel had once seen thrones being set, but we read of only one throne being occupied; the Thronesitter he recognized as the Ancient of days, Dan. 7. 9. Much is said of Solomon’s ivory throne, 1 Kgs. 10. 18-20, but little of this throne. Its appearance links it with jasper and sardius stones, materials linked with worlds that once were - Eden and the Levitical world, Ezek. 28. 13; Exod. 28. 17-20. The Throne-sitter is about to bring to light another world whose glory will eclipse all other past glories.

Encircling that throne, John saw a spectacular rainbow, reminding him of the faithfulness of the eternal God, Rev. 4. 3, for He is faithful that promised, Heb. 10. 23. Out from that throne proceeded lightnings and voices and thunderings, Rev. 4. 5, recalling for John Jehovah’s descent upon Mount Sinai, Exod. 19. 16, with the unavoidable evidence that God is able to uphold His own standards, no matter what challenge adversaries might make. John was to find that the throne of God would bring to a glorious conclusion a strange work of judgement, Isa. 28. 21, but not at the expense of His promises.

In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, John sees Christ revealed in connection with Israel, the church, and the nations in their apostasy; but also in relation to the throne. Forty-six times the noun ‘throne’ occurs in this book, but there is never any doubt who will act on behalf of the eternal throne, 5. 6. At the end of the book, that same glorious Person will sit on the throne then called ‘the throne of God and the Lamb’, 22. 1, 3. As the great Executor of the throne, ‘blessing, and honour, and glory, and power’ will be ascribed to God and to the Lamb, 5. 13.