The Majesty of God who sits on the Throne

Revelation 4:1-6a

4 After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! 3 And the one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. 4 Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal.

The first question to ask is: How does this passage make you feel? Not, what do things mean? Not, who is who? The question is what emotion is created by reading this?

Let me direct the conversation – vs. 1 – a voice like a trumpet, vs. 2 – a throne – surrounded vs. 3 – by 24 lesser thrones, vs. 5 – from the throne come lightning and thunder, vs. 6 – a crystal sea. All of this is for the purpose of reminding the readers of Revelation of the awe, wonder, and praise that are due to the one who sits on the throne – God.

The first readers of Revelation faced brutal persecution as we saw a number of times in the letters to the 7 churches, for some of them worse was coming. But here they are reminded that the One who Sits on the Throne has a glory and an honour that is greater than the power of the Roman emperor. That the God who they were loyal to was more awesome and with a wonder greater than any of the earthly powers that threatened them.

We do not live at a time of emperors, or of much in the way of pomp and circumstance – but in our time there are those who would claim power and authority, who would seek to rule our lives, who will use their power to force allegiance to them. For example, those who question the need to make a profit soon find themselves out of work. Those who stand up to bullies often find themselves attacked and broken. Those who call people to live lives of integrity and honesty are laughed out of business. These are similar to the threats and bullying patterns evident among the emperors. For John’s readers and for us, this truth remains, God who sits on the throne is greater than, more full of wonder than, more awesome than, all that the powers of this world could ever offer.

PRAYER:

God of majesty, we bow before you in awe and wonder, for you are the great God above all powers and dominions and all authority. We fall to our knees in the face of your glory. Even words fail us in your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.