08/26/2021
BEFORE THE THRONE
When we accept God’s invitation to come before His throne we should always be keenly aware of what happens in the throne room of God when we enter there. Our objective here is to fix within our hearts the proper attitude that we ought to have when we accept God’s invitation come before the Father’s throne to worship or find grace to help in a time of need.
Revelation 4:1-11 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 shew thee things which must be hereafter. (2 ) And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. (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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (😎 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. (9) And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, (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, (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.
We often talk about coming before the throne when we worship God. I do believe that we rightly understand and perceive God as the maker and ruler of the Universe. When we come before the throne of God there are some things we see. 1) Beauty Defined, 2) God Exalted, 3) Holiness honored, 4) Praise Lifted up, 5) The human applicant greatly humbled, 6) God’s divine sovereign authority rightly respected, 7) Genuine, full heart worship put on display. All of that, at least, is accomplished and described in our text. Long before Revelation was written the Psalmist expressed the same this way:
Psalm 95:1-3
“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”
And the Bible pictures God sitting on a throne of excellent majesty and greatness. Isaiah said he saw Him that way and wrote:
Isaiah 6:1
“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.”
We read in Daniel 7:9
“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.”
But a most vivid picture of God sitting on His throne is found here in Revelation 4.
What I really would like is to draw from there and here present an expanded picture of that throne of God scene as pictured in Revelation 4. Can we now walk up the steps to the gates leading to that very throne room of the Almighty! Watch as the great golden doors of the throne room swing open wide! Can you now see this astonishing picture that has been presented in Revelation 4? Try to envision God on his throne surrounded by the cherubim and the beasts that cry HOLY, HOLY, HOLY. See if you will the twenty-four elders surrounding Him and the sea of glass spreads out from the throne like a floor of purest crystal. To be there one would surely be aware he is in the presence of the Almighty God.
So, what really does transpire when we come before the throne to stand in his presence?
TRUE BEAUTY IS EXPERIENCED
I think true beauty is defined. True beauty is not defined in carnal settings but by the presence of God. Surely there is a kind of beauty in the creation all around us. It appears in various forms: art, people, music, foods, nature, etc. The things we can see with our eyes. Then there is that deeper beauty that we perceive and appreciate associated with spirituality and a morally pure life and it is a thing of beauty. Beyond what the eye can see, there really are some truly beautiful and godly people in the world.
The beauty of God appears in those who have been to the throne room. We will never see true beauty until we see God literally. But we can catch a glimpse though our mind’s eye with a bit of effort. God’s beauty is a beauty that surpasses all the works of man’s hands. God’s own personal beauty surpasses the world He has created and the purest of spiritual or moral lives.
Psalms 27:4
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”
John describes the scene:
Revelation 4:3
“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.”
Jasper and Sardius stones are exquisitely beautiful in their deeply red color. The deep green of a perfect emerald has a beauty difficult to describe and fully appreciate. So the picture of God here is of one whose beauty is deep and brilliant. The Dictionary defines beauty as: “The quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).”
Our search for such pleasure and satisfaction can ultimately lead only to God. He is the one who is able to give us that highest and most intense spiritual pleasure and deep satisfaction to the mind.
GOD IS HIGHLY EXALTED
Another thing that happens when we enter the throne room is that God is exalted by all who enter his presence! So, what is being exalted? The word exalted means to be raised, elevated, or lifted up. We think of an earthly king and picture him on his throne where he is being exalted.
But we know that God is above it all. His place and station lifts him above the mundane and average; he is above all things. Not only is he above all things in His being, but also in His authority, power, prestige, honor, and magnificence. God most certainly is worthy to be exalted and to be given the highest praise. God is that King sitting on His throne in the throne room of heaven with none to compare in any way.
Psalm 57:5 (and 11)
“Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.”
Isaiah 25:1
“O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”
Revelation 4:4-6 is a word picture of God’s exaltation:
“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. 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. 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.”
This is a most vivid picture of deserved exaltation. Can’t you just see from these words the sea of glass surrounding the throne. Come into the throne room to see the glory that is that of God alone. Seated in majesty and ready to provide the help we ask for in our time of need.
HOLINESS IS HONORED
Holiness is honored by all who enter the throne room. Holiness is not something that is routinely honored in the world. Quite the opposite as in/by the world holiness is denigrated; and little or nothing is sacred. In the world common speech is corrupt, filthy, and crass. In the world sexual morals are loose, vulgar, and adulterated. Personal relationships (friendship) are often developed only for intensely selfish purposes. Entertainment has deteriorated into nothing more than a romp through a sewer or pig pen.
Psalm 14:1 summarizes such attitudes:
“The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”
But before the throne holiness is forever honored. Holiness in a man is a sacredness and purity of words, deeds, and thoughts which cannot be condemned. To be holy is to be like God, just because God is holy. His holiness is just as much an essential of his existence as his love.
Peter offered this advice to Christians:
1 Peter 1:15-16
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [behavior]; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
See again the words of the revelator:
Revelation 4:8
“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.”
A MAN IS HUMBLED
Every man is humbled when he enters the throne room of God. It is an inevitable response. Today there is often little real appreciation for humility either by the world or in the church. Humility is manifest in one when a person does not to think of himself more highly than he ought.
Romans 12:3
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Every man is humbled in God’s presence because when one enters the throne room of God and understands who God is, man has no other choice or avenue but humility. Consider the Psalmists words.
Psalm 144:3-4
“LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.”
In the throne room passage humility spread to others present there.
Revelation 4:9-10
“And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 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…”
In abject humility 24 elders fall down on their faces in total submission before the throne of God. In abject humility they cast their golden crowns in total submission before His throne. They and all that they have are humbled before God’s magnificence. In the presence of God and around His throne praise is the only option we have. We honor and admire the God we love and serve. Like David we will say:
Psalm 145:21 “My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.”
In the presence of God praise simply leaps from our lips and requires no cheer leading, encouragement or coercion.
Psalm 148:13
“Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.”
Revelation 4:11
“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.”
Because God is worthy to receive our praise the writer says in:
Hebrews 13:5 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
If we keep this picture of God’s throne before our mind’s eye, we can and will worship Him acceptably, with reverence and awe.