God Is on the Throne

In Revelation 4:2 John says "I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne".

This is how God lifts us up also in the Spirit so that we can see the things of earth from a heavenly standpoint! As we approach the end of time, it is important that we learn to look at the things that are going to happen on earth, not from an earthly standpoint, but a heavenly one. Jesus told us in Luke 21:28, "When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads". That means the same thing - to look at things from heaven's viewpoint. Otherwise, we will be filled with fear. But when we look up, we see that our Father is in control of everything. And so we need to experience what John experienced too - in our spirits.

And what was the first thing that John saw? Not the antichrist or the tribulation, but "GOD'S THRONE". That's what we need to see in these days - God Almighty RULING and CONTROLLING everything. If we don't see that first of all, we will have many problems and difficulties on earth.

"And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance" (Rev. 4:3). The jasper stone is a stone that is crystal clear (Rev. 21:11). And the sardius is flaming red in colour, speaking of God's judgement on sin. So we see that the very first thing emphasized about the One who sits on the throne through both these symbols is His holiness and purity. There was a rainbow around the throne. The rainbow was given by God immediately after the flood, when Noah came out of the ark. It was a sign of God's covenant with the people of the earth that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood". The rainbow therefore is a symbol of God's grace.

So we see "TRUTH AND GRACE" on the throne. This is the glory that was seen in Jesus too (Jn.1:14). Throughout the book of Revelation we see these two aspects of God's glory alternately - grace and judgement. God is both good and severe (Rom. 11:22). And around the throne were twenty four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads (Rev. 4:4).

Among the angels whom God created, we read in Colossians 1:16 that there are "thrones, dominions, rulers and authorities". So these 24 elders symbolize such spirit-beings who have authority around the throne of God. One of their primary tasks is to lead people in the worship of God. Their white garments speak of their purity, and their golden crowns speak of their authority.

And from the throne proceed flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God (Rev. 4:5). The lightning and thunder are meant to emphasise God's majesty and glory, and the fact that He has total control over everything that is going to come.

And the seven lamps of fire, we are told, are the seven Spirits of God - or in other words, the sevenfold Holy Spirit (Isa.11:2, 3). Notice that the Holy Spirit is represented by seven lamps of fire - symbolising perfect purity. "Our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29). Many would like to think of God always as a God of love. But He is also a consuming fire. I have seen wall-plaques in many homes with the words, "GOD IS LOVE". But it is rare to find a wall-plaque with the words, "GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE". Man does not like to think of God as a consuming fire. But whether we like to think of this fact or not, He is still a consuming fire. When people speak about their being filled with the Holy Spirit, and of having experiences in the Holy Spirit, they must remember that any genuine experience of the Holy Spirit will bring the fire of God's purity into their lives. If that doesn't happen, the experience must be regarded as counterfeit.