Bible Study ‘There is a Higher Throne’
A fantastic insight into this powerful hymn by Keith Getty.
“…a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne…” (Revelation 7:9)
From the ancient Kings and heroes, to our own CNN images of both diplomatic elegance and brutality, the landscape of history has often been shaped by great seats of power. And yet the Bible teaches that all the governments of this world pale before the authority of the higher throne of Heaven. Isaiah prophesied of this throne:
'For to us a child is born…He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.' (Isaiah 9v6, 7).
What is this throne in Revelation 7 and how does it impact our lives and our worship?
1. It is eternal
'Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.' (v12)
('All glory, wisdom, power, strength, thanks and honour are to God our King who reigns on high – forevermore')
When earthy treasures are temporary, this is something to cling onto and to really live for (Matthew 6:19-20). Vaughan Roberts writes of a world that lives for the moment, that 'looks down'. (U2 sing 'you've got stuck in a moment and you can't get out of it.'). Consistently cultivating an eternal view in our lives will loosen our grip on earthly treasures.
2. It is for everyone
'After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude… from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne' (v9)
('Where faithful ones from every tongue will one day come')
It was never God's intention for people to be divided. We are deliberately made different by one Creator but we are also called to declare His glory as one body. God's throne is higher than any geographical, racial or linguistic boundaries and, as in the chorus of the hymn, a new song, a new anthem is being sung by a new nation.
Worshipping God in our singing is not only a wonderful expression of loyalty to Christ but also a great expression of unity – an expression that will be broadened and perfected around the throne of heaven. Let's grasp the many opportunities we have to express the unity we find in Christ, this side of heaven.
3. It makes us perfect
'They were wearing white robes…And they cried out in a loud voice "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb" ' (v9-10)
('Before the Son we'll stand, made faultless through the Lamb. Believing hearts find promised grace. Salvation comes.')
We will one-day stand faultless before the Lamb who saved us. No other throne could offer complete forgiveness and restoration. Until this completion we can respond daily to His Spirit renewing, changing and perfecting us. We do need ton not lose heart as we are energised and inspired by the great hope that, though undeserving, we will stand clean, dressed in white before our Lord.
4. It answers the question of suffering
'The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat…and God will wipe every tear from their eye.' (v16,17)
('He'll wipe each tear-stained eye')
At this throne suffering is not forgotten but answered. Every heartache, tear, pain, disappointment and loss is caught in the loving hands of our Father. Suffering has not been senseless, will not be misunderstood and will not go without justice. This throne holds the only Ruler who could relieve and eradicate pain. While Christ responds to our suffering today with strength, comfort and sometimes complete healing the ultimate answer to pain does not lie in this life but in the next – this is our hope.
5. It satisfies
'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.' (v16)
('as thirst and hunger die')
Imagine a throne where all God-given desires are met. C. S. Lewis writes that unfulfilled earthy desires show that we were made for another place. We cannot expect to find all we need and long for in this world and so live in hungry pursuit of it – we will always be disappointed though are hands seem so full. We must remind ourselves that the majority of the population today desperately try to find enough work to simply provide food for their families – if they don't they go hungry that day. In heaven we will all be emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually satisfied – forever.
6. It points to a King
'For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd.' (v17)
('The lamb becomes our Shepherd King, we'll reign with Him.')
The Lamb as Shepherd is an interesting paradox – something that is weak, vulnerable sacrificial becomes the leader and protector. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did a very unusual thing for a King – He made Himself nothing taking on the life of a servant (Phil. 3) and gave Himself for all mankind. It is this King who occupies the highest throne – He that made Himself low will be raised above all others by God. Where many of today's leaders find their power and greatness through egotism, manipulation and fame here is authentic Christian leadership. Jesus said that all those wanting to become great should become last, the servant of all. Martin Luther King said that by this definition all men could be great.
Often worship today – our lives, thoughts and singing – is preoccupied with our experience of God and life now. Yet the reality of His throne should not only inspire us with an urgency to speak of Him in all we do, but it should also inspire us to invest in and look forward to the promise of real life. Life on earth is only a shadow of all that is to come, this is our training ground, but one day school will be out and real life will begin – a life of joy, service, fulfilment, responsibility and adventure. There we will find our home before the throne where all heaven's voices will sing in perfect song, honouring the Lamb.