There are several
references to the throne of God in the Bible. Jesus calls heaven “God’s throne”
in Matthew 5:34, recalling God’s statement in Isaiah 66:1, “Heaven is my
throne, and the earth is my footstool.” Other references to God’s throne are
found in 2 Chronicles 18:18; Psalm 11:4; Hebrews 8:1; 12:2; Revelation 1:4;
3:21; 4:2; and many other verses.
A throne is a special seat reserved for a monarch. When the
Bible speaks of God’s “throne,” the emphasis is on God’s transcendence,
dignity, and sovereign rule. The fact that His throne is in heaven further
underscores the transcendent nature of God’s existence.
The throne of God need not be thought of as a literal
throne. God the Father is incorporeal (John 4:24). Not having a physical body,
God does not literally “sit.” References to a divine throne are akin to
biblical allusions to God’s “hand” or “mouth” or “eyes”—they are
anthropomorphisms, descriptions of God couched in human terms out of deference
to our limited knowledge. God has to describe Himself in ways we can
understand.
Isaiah sees the Lord “high and exalted, seated on a throne;
and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1). At that time, the
prophet was having an inspired vision. God’s throne (and His robe) are not to
be taken as literal, physical objects. Rather, God was communicating to Isaiah
the magnificence, splendor, and exaltation of His Being. Other descriptions of
the throne of God are found in other prophetic visions, e.g., in those of
Ezekiel and John.
God’s throne is a place of power and authority. In 2
Chronicles 18:18, the prophet Micaiah relates his vision of God’s throne room,
in which spirit beings stand in attendance. Compare this to Job 1:6, where God
demands answers from the angelic beings summoned there.
God’s throne is a place of majesty and honor. The Bible says
that, when Jesus ascended to heaven, He “sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). There is no higher place than heaven. God is the
King of heaven, and Jesus holds the place of honor at God’s right hand.
God’s throne is a place of perfect justice. “He has prepared
His throne for judgment” (Psalm 9:7; cf. 89:14). The final judgment, described
in Revelation 20, is held before “a great white throne” (verse 11).
God’s throne is a place of sovereignty and holiness. “God
reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne” (Psalm 47:8; cf.
103:19). He does whatever He pleases, and all He does is good.
God’s throne is a place of praise. John’s vision of heaven
includes a scene in which a “new song” is sung in praise to the One who
occupies the throne (Revelation 14:3). Around the throne, the praise of God is
surely “glorious” (Psalm 66:2).
God’s throne is a place of purity. Only the redeemed, those
who have been granted the righteousness of Christ, will have the right to stand
before His throne (Revelation 14:5).
God’s throne is a place of eternal life. God is the Source
of life. In heaven, John sees “the river of the water of life, as clear as
crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1).
God’s throne is a place of grace. Not only does the throne
of God represent judgment for the unbeliever, but it also represents mercy and
grace for His children. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”
(Hebrews 4:16). Inside the Jewish temple was the Ark of the Covenant, which was
a “copy of the true” (Hebrews 9:24), and it had a “mercy seat” where God’s
presence would appear (Leviticus 16:2, ESV).
One day, all creation will bow to the majesty of God’s
throne (Philippians 2:9–11). The regal beings surrounding the throne of God
will “lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and
God, to receive glory and honor and power’” (Revelation 4:10–11).
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