GETTING THE MESSAGE/God’s sovereignty over everything
In Revelation 4:1, the apostle John looks and sees “a door standing open in heaven.” Several prophets in the Old Testament were given visions of heaven on God’s glory on his throne. They warned of impending judgements on men or nations. The book of Revelation likewise is supernatural revelation containing the promises and threatenings of God from his throne. While some details in the book can be confusing, the main principles are clear, and that is especially what we are to pay careful attention to.
The Lord shows John a throne and one seated on the throne. God’s throne is the central symbol in the book. Many Psalms speak of the throne of God. Psalm 99 says, “He sits enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth quake.” Psalm 103 also, “The Lord has established his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all.”
Far above all the confusion on earth and beyond the reach of demonic or human malice, God reigns on his throne in complete purity and glory. Revelation chapters 4 and 5 give us a glimpse of this glory, but we are to understand the heavenly glory far surpasses the earthly symbols used to describe it.
God‘s throne is mentioned 17 times in these two chapters and 47 times in the book of Revelation. The centrality of God’s throne in the book signifies God’s glory and his sovereignty over everything. Whatever happens on earth, he remains sovereign and unmoved. All the judgments in the book of Revelation proceed from his throne.
But we also learn that from his throne he is infinitely merciful and faithful. As the Sovereign God, he is no less able than willing to fulfill his promises and bring to fulfillment all the purposes of his grace in Jesus Christ. God judges earthly inhabitants as to his claim to rule over them. As sinners, the throne of God warns us to seek peace with God through Christ.
The symbol of God on his throne directs Christians on earth to exercise patient endurance under tribulation. We may mourn in our afflictions, but God is our salvation. He called us to Christ, loves us, and preserves us. Noah was safe when the ark was afloat, because God shut the door behind him and kept him there. No one can snatch his people out of his hand.
In verse Revelation 4:3, John says that the one on the throne “had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.” The stones reflect the radiance of God’s glory. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. The apostle Paul says, “God alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.”
In James 2:1, James calls Jesus Christ “the Lord of Glory.” Paul also says, “We have the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Christ delivers us from sin and death to the glory of God’s mercy and grace. Christians are destined to reflect God’s glory like the stones and dwell in the presence of God.
If God is glorious and has redeemed us through such a great salvation through Christ, then we are therefore obliged to live for God’s glory in this world. That means making God’s glory our first preference. This was our Savior’s practice. In all things, even the cross, his purpose was, “Father, glorify your name.”
The soul is not truly alive until it purposes to glorify God. Christ came to give us life and life more abundant. The abundant life is delighting in seeing God glorified. This is the richest food for the soul. The poor is spirit are such that mourn that God is not glorified. Sin is dishonoring to God. We are to mourn over our own sin and the sin of the world.
When we pray “Hallowed be thy name,” we should ask God for assistance to glorify his name in both heart and life, even at our cost. That whatever providence brings, we would seek to honor God in it. Christ receives glory in heaven even now; let us glorify his name where we are.
The Rev. Chris Shelton is pastor of Union’s First Presbyterian Church.