SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 3/3/2015
9:56 AM
My Worship Time Focus: The Throne
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Revelation
4:2a
Message of the
verse: Immediately I was in the
Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven.”
In our first SD on Revelation chapter four we mentioned
the outline that we are going to follow as we go through this chapter and all
of the elements of this outline had to do with the throne, and today we will
look at the throne that John saw when he was in the Spirit and in his vision was
taken to heaven where he would see things that he records in this last book of
the Bible. Remember the meanings of the
word Revelation, unveiling, “1) laying bear, making naked 2) a disclosure of
truth, instruction 2a) concerning things before unknown 2b) used of events by
which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible
to all 3) manifestation, appearance.” The
Greek word is “apokalupsis,” for our English word Revelation.”
We also mentioned in our last SD that chapter four and
five show us what true worship really is as we see it happening in heaven from
the vision that John gives to us.
As in chapter one we saw that John was in the Spirit,
meaning that the Holy Spirit had control of him, which is something that the OT
prophets would experience when they received visions from the Lord. We have seen this happen in the book of
Ezekiel which we are also studying. The
first thing he sees in this vision is a throne which is standing in
heaven. This brought amazement to John and
that truly is understandable as I am sure all the things he saw in his visions
brought amazement to him. John MacArthur
writes on this throne John saw “This was not a piece of furniture, but a symbol
of God’s sovereign rule and authority (cf. Pss. 11:4; 103:19; Isa 66:1) located
in the temple in heaven (cf. 7:15; 11:19; 14:15; 15:6-8; 16:17). According to Revelation 21:22 the heavenly
temple is not an actual building: ‘the
Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb’ are the temple. The use of the term temple symbolizes God’s presence.
The throne was said to be standing because God’s sovereign rule is
fixed, permanent, and unshakable. A
vision of God immovable throne reveals He is in a permanent, unchanging, and
complete control of the universe.” As we
think about this in relations to what John would see in his remaining visions
this had to have brought comfort to him, and as we look around the world and
see things that can cause us to at times fear, we too can be comforted by this
truth that God is on the throne and is in complete control of His world.
Let me take the time to
look at the verses that MacArthur references in the above quote. We will begin with Psalm 11:4 “The LORD is in
His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids
test the sons of men.” Psalm 103:19 “The
LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over
all.” Isaiah 66:1 “Thus says the LORD,
"Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house
you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?” Next we will look at the verses he mentions from
the book of Revelation beginning with 7:15 “"For this reason, they are
before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and
He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.” 11:19 “And the temple of God which is in
heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and
there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an
earthquake and a great hailstorm.” 14:15
“And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him
who sat on the cloud, "Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap
has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe."” 15:6-8 “6
and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple,
clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden
sashes. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven
golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 8 And the
temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no
one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels
were finished.” 16:17 “Then the seventh
angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple
from the throne, saying, "It is done."”
Spiritual meaning
for my life today: As I look at
these verses showing that God is in His temple on His throne which shows that
He is in complete control of all that goes on in this world, but also all that
is going on in my life I can take time to praise His Holy Name.
My Steps of Faith for Today: To love the Lord with all of my heart, soul,
mind, and strength, and to better understand the love that Christ has for me.
Answer to yesterday’s Bible
question: “Mary” (Acts 12:12).
Today’s Bible question “What
city was the capital of Judah, the southern Kingdom?”
Answer in our next SD.
3/3/2015 10:29 AM
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