THE THRONE OF GOD

Newsletter 273  December 11, 2011
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Revelation 4 King James Version

One comes before the throne of God only by invitation. Few have experienced this. John, and Stephen were so invited. That door in heaven was opened by God. Man attempted to build a tower to reach God’s presence at Babylon, only to fail completely. God opened the door and invited John in. We are blessed by what he saw and preserved for us. We may travel the world to see God’s handwork, but this is a glimpse into His very throne room!

1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.

(Revelation 1:12, Revelation 1:19, Ezekiel 1:1, Revelation 19:11, Revelation 1:10, Revelation 11:12, Revelation 1:19, Revelation 22:6)

IN THE SPIRIT

The only way John could do this was in the spirit. The physical body is not capable to such honor. A glimpse blinded Saul. Stephen entered as he was dying. Moses to whom God spoke, glowed so that he had to wear a veil afterwards. How wonderful that God chose to give us this glimpse..

2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Earthly thrones, are normally placed in rooms, but there is no mention of a room here. This throne is visible to all. As Christians have access to God in prayer now, they shall also have access in spirit in heaven.

(Revelation 1:10, 1 Kings 22:19, Isaiah 6:1, Ezekiel 1:26, Daniel 7:9, Revelation 4:9)

JASPER (diamond), SARDIUS (ruby red), EMERALD (cool green)

3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

(Revelation 21:11, Revelation 21:20, Ezekiel 1:28, Revelation 10:1, Revelation 21:19)

We are not familiar with all the gems of heaven, but it is thought that Jasper must belike a diamond, reflecting light in the entire spectrum of colors. Many years ago, I was blessed by being able to see a famous diamond, I think it was the Hope, displayed for the public to see. It was placed under a special light and the colors reflected were phenomenal. I suppose one would say “awesome” now, though the word does not adequately describe it, because of its misuse for nearly anything

JOINT RULERS WITH CHRIST

4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Twenty four seats probably indicate more than the tribes if Israel. They indicate all Christians world wide. The elders who sit upon them all wear crowns. They are co-rulers with Christ, seated, not standing. They are highly honored in having a place that is their own in the very presence of God.

(Revelation 4:6, Revelation 5:11, Revelation 7:11, Revelation 11:16, Revelation 4:10, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 5:14, Revelation 19:4, Revelation 19:28, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 3:18)

THE AWESOME POWER OF GOD

5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

The Holy Spirit is here represented by the perfect number seven in the lamps., and the thunder and lightnings of the great power of God. World wide, voices of God.

(Exodus 19:16, Revelation 8:5, Revelation 11:19, Revelation 16:18, Exodus 25:37, Zechariah 4:2, Revelation 1:4)

A SEA LIKE GLASS

6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Clearly this is not a sea as we think of seas. There is no sea in heaven, but my mind goes back to a night on our ship as we approached the Panama Canal from the Pacific side. The sea was absolutely placid and the stars unbelievable. John said “like unto crystal.”

I picture the four cherubim, or “living beings” on all four sides of the throne, who see all, and know all. There will be no whispering with a friend there. They have eyes all over and they hover around the throne constantly praising the Lord. “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.”

(Ezekiel 1:22, Revelation 15:2, Revelation 21:18, Revelation 21:21, Revelation 4:4, Ezekiel 1:5, Revelation 4:8, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 6:1, Revelation 6:6, Revelation 7:11, Revelation 14:3, Revelation 15:7, Revelation 19:4, Ezekiel 1:18, Ezekiel 10:12)

THE FOUR CREATURES, CHERUBIM

A description of these four suggest that they represent wisdom, courage, diligence, and discretion. This is suggested by the different faces to match.

7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

(Ezekiel 1:10, Ezekiel 10:14)

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

(Ezekiel 1:5, Revelation 4:6, Revelation 4:9, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 6:1, Revelation 6:6, Revelation 7:14, Revelation 14:3, Revelation 15:7, Revelation 19:4, Isaiah 6:2, Ezekiel 1:18, Ezekiel 10:12, Revelation 14:11, Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 1:8, Revelation 1:4)

9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

(Psalm 47:8, Isaiah 6:1, Revelation 4:2, Deuteronomy 32:40, Daniel 4:34, Daniel 12:7, Revelation 10:6, Revelation 15:7)

The twenty four elders fall down in worship, knowing how unworthy they are. Such praise is for God and His Son alone.

10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

(Revelation 4:4, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 7:11, Revelation 11:16, Revelation 19:4, Psalm 47:8, Isaiah 6:1, Revelation 4:2, Deuteronomy 32:40, Daniel 4:34, Daniel 12:7, Revelation 4:4, Revelation 10:6, Revelation 5:7)

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

(Revelation 1:6, Revelation 5:12, Acts 14:15, Revelation 10:6, Revelation 14:7)

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011

DECEMBER

11th. Sunday – Ezra 8, 9, Revelation 9:1-11, Psalm 140:6-13
12th. Monday – Ezra 10, Revelation 9:12-21, Psalm 141
13th. Tuesday – Nehemiah 1, 2, Revelation 10, Psalm 142
14th. Wednesday - Nehemiah 3, 4, Revelation 11, Proverbs 30:11-23
15th. Thursday - Nehemiah 5, 6, Revelation 12, Psalm 143
16th. Friday – Nehemiah 7, Revelation 13, Psalm 144:1-8
17th. Saturday - Nehemiah 8, 9, Revelation 14:1-8, Psalm 144:9-15
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” – Revelation 2:10


http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Anything For You...
A woman is sitting at a bar enjoying an after work cocktail with her girlfriends when an exceptionally tall, handsome, middle-aged man enters.

He is so striking that the woman can not take her eyes off him.

The man notices her overly attentive stares and walks directly toward her.

Before she can offer her apologies for rudely staring, he leans over and whispers, "I'll do anything, absolutely anything that you want me to do for $20... But, on one condition."

Flabbergasted, the woman asks what the condition is.

The man replies, "You have to tell me what you want me to do in just three words."

The woman considers his proposition for a moment and then removes a $20 bill from her purse, which she presses into the man's hand along with her address.

She then looks deeply into his eyes, and slowly, and meaningfully says,

"Clean my house."