The Throne in Heaven
(Rev. 4: 1ampsim5)
Gaddafi, the Libyan dictator was found dead, lying on the cold concrete floor of a basement room a miserable death. In order to retain his power, he massacred his people by using guns from aircraft, making them as cannon fodder. Yet his 42 year iron-fisted rule came to an end. His 170 trillion dollar property disappeared. And his golden gun, which he held tightly to the last moment, didnt save him. Apostle Paul was exiled to the island of Patmos during the reign of Domitianus, when Romes persecution of Christians became extreme. Just then, God showed his throne in heaven to his people who rejected worshipping the empire and became the prey of roaring lions. Lets think about this throne in heaven through todays passage.
1. God shows us the throne through the open door of Heaven. Verse 1 says, 'After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. In Rev.1:19, God commanded John, 'Write, therefore, what you have seen (the vision of Jesus Christ), what is now (the reality of the Seven churches in Asia Minor) and what will take place later (things to be done).' God wants to bless us to enjoy his salvation through the open door of heaven Yet, God says, this will be done when our supreme idol is taken captive. In Ezekiel 1, Ezekiel saw the vision in the fifth year of his exile. John also saw his vision while he was caught in Patmos. Both saw their vision in their captive situation, even though their circumstances were not changed. The Kebar River refers to a river in Babylon, to which we were taken captive, that is, our desperate situation where God never seems to appear for us. Its the situation where we finally became a captive of what weve chased money, school background, and marriage. Thats how our Babylon became the land of our mourning. Thus we cant have the Word come upon us without being taken captive whether we were born in a priests family or not. God visits us not only through a vision but also through his Word. May God bless us to enjoy them in our imprisonment! Thus God keeps his heavenly door open for us to understand that everything, whether the salvation or judgment, is what must take place. We should be ready to confess that all things that occurred in our life were what must happen sooner or later. When we understand this, Gods power is on us. The key to having the almighty power of God upon us is to understand why Im now here through the perspective of the whole Bible.
2. God the Father shows us his glory. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we will face who the Lord is from time to time. The true foundation of reigning over the world is not a Roman empire but God sitting on his throne of heaven. We need to face our inability and lowliness in the rain of trials and bow down before God, praying in obedience. Then God will show his rainbow, reflecting his presence. The book of Revelation appeals to everyone because it shows us the true lordship of Christ. The theme of the book of Revelation is that the Word penetrates us in the midst of trials. The leading members of Wooridle Church, who reflect its identity are weak and handicapped. God keeps his church for the sake of the one soul in distress or in debt. The book of Revelation compared the appearance of God to 'jasper, carnelian, rainbow, and emerald' as a metaphor to cope with the persecution of Rome. This metaphor should not be distorted by obsessive literal interpretation. When we endure the flame of trials like glowing metal, people will see the brilliance of our emerald.
3. God shows us the 24 elders seated at the same level as His throne. The thrones of 24 elders, who joined the trials and endurance of Christ, placed in the same row of Gods throne signify their status of royal priesthood, with which they will rule over people of God. Notice that among the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel was a woman, who slept with her father-in -aw, a son who slept with his fathers concubine, a murderer, and a rapist. So it was with Jesus disciples, most of whom were illiterate fishermen. To the Lord, these were the 24 elders! Thus God will glorify those who repent of their sins and come forward to him looking to the throne in heaven with his golden crown, allowing them to be seated next to Him. Then they will see how shabby the human thrones are, whether of a Roman empire or of Gaddafi!
4. God shows us eschatological phenomena. Along with eschatological incidents coming to us, God will judge us with pinpoint accuracy through the help of the Holy Spirit. To Christians, the lightning and thunderbolt will be the guidance of the Holy Spirit, helping them with seven lamps, but to the evil, they will be the sign of severe judgment. Thus the same incident can be an incident of judgment or that of salvation according to our spiritual interpretation. The incident of a husbands paralysis caused by a traffic accident, while enjoying a secret love affair with another woman can be a curse to his wife, who grinds her teeth with an unforgiving heart. But the same accident can be an amazing event of salvation to another wife who accepts that it was the only way for her husband to pay for his salvation. Only when we give thanks to God in every incident in our life, giving thanks to God and praising Him with our new song, can we save others. May God bless us all to come forward to the throne in heaven, singing a new song and confessing humbly that we are facing what must happen to us.
'At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.' (Rev 4:2)
