Throne of God

When considering the amazing book of Revelation, I sometimes shudder as I contemplate the trials and tribulations the apostle John forewarns will occur prior to Jesus’ return. Recently, however, I joined thousands of men and women around the world for an in-depth, yearlong study of Revelation.

As we’ve turned the pages and studied each chapter and verse, a theme has jumped out at me that I’d never realized was so central to Revelation: the throne of God. In Revelation 4:1-6, we learn that John was given a glimpse of God seated on His throne before writing of future events including trials and tribulations. Mentioned 16 times in Revelation 4 and 5, God’s throne is the focal point around which everything in Revelation revolves.

The brilliance and holiness of God on His throne (Revelation 4:1-3) can surely move us to worship Him, proclaim His reality, and trust Him to save us. And when we, by faith, gain access to the Father through His Son Jesus Christ (John 1:18), we begin to grasp the significance of what God’s throne symbolizes: His absolute rule, His sovereignty, and His majesty (Revelation 4:2-6).

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come!” These words are unceasingly proclaimed by the elders and worshipers surrounding God’s throne (Revelation 4:8).

Seated on His throne is Jesus, our High Priest, who’s able to sympathize with our weaknesses and who has “faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” He calls us to “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God,” receiving mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:14-16). We may shudder in reverent fear as we approach, but He calls us to His throne out of love.

Taken from “Our Daily Journey”