God on His Throne

After feeling quite a bit of fatigue last night I had some good energy and activity today. I attended my Tuesday morning prayer time and then got in a work out at the fitness center before getting in some landscaping work before the snow falls. I was able to get some other officials duties taken care of as well.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  As I looked, thrones were put in their places, and God, the Eternal One, sat on his throne. His clothes were white like snow, and the hair on his head was white like wool. His throne was made from fire, and the wheels of his throne were blazing with fire. A river of fire was flowing from in front of him. Many thousands of angels were serving him, and millions of angels stood before him. Court was ready to begin, and the books were opened.”  Daniel 7:9,10 NCV

Daniel is about dreams, visions and divine interventions. We see God revealing Himself to Nebuchadnezzar and then to his son Belshazzar who failed to learn the lesson of humility from his father and in turn lost his throne to another ruler.

During the reign of Belshazzar Daniel has a vision of the sea and beasts. In Bible prophecy the sea speaks of people, so we see these beasts representing rulers and nations coming up from among the people. Much of what unfolds is future history for the world of Daniel, but past history from our perspective, but also prophecies about events yet to happen.

In the midst of all the images of beasts and thrones, we see “a” throne or “the” throne which is most important. While human kingdoms may come and go and jockey for power and positions and dominance, the throne of God stands firm over all. God’s reign is not coming, it already is!

We see a picture of God sitting on His throne. The throne is not empty  and God is not standing waiting for some coronation. He is in position of rule and authority and is at the task of exerting His judgment. His throne is made of “fire” and has “wheels.” Not only that a “river for fire” flowed before Him.

We see the fire purifies and destroys. No one can stand before a blazing fire; and in like fashion no one can stand before the great God of the universe who is not bound or confined by time and geography.

Just as a king is attended by servants, we see the throne of God served by angels…thousands of angels and millions of angels before Him. We often forget about the “heavenly host” that is active in our world. God is not alone, His presence is filled with angels. Not only do they serve God, they serve “God’s people.” “…angels are only servants–spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. (Hebrews 1:14 NLT)

Finally we see the “books are opened” and court was ready to begin. This is a vivid picture of God as judge of all the earth and judge of all the kingdoms of the world.

We see this great picture of “God’s throne” sandwiched between Daniel’s description of a “little” horn that grew up out of three of the beasts or nations. While earth is in the midst of all its activities, while ruler believe they have ultimate authority, there is a God in heaven who is sovereign and in control and stands ready to judge.

God acts. In His time and in His way. We see a description of an event that sounds much like the Book of Revelation, “…I saw in front of me someone who looked like a human being coming on the clouds in the sky. He came near God, who has been alive forever, and he was led to God. He was given authority, glory, and the strength of a king. People of every tribe, nation, and language will serve him. His rule will last forever, and his kingdom will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13,14 NCV)

On the Isle of Patmos, John saw a revelation that included this, “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. (Revelation 1:7 NIV)

There is a day coming ( just as all other days of prophecies have been fulfilled) when Christ will return. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom and those who belong to His kingdom will be a part of that eternal kingdom. Daniel saw it, John saw it and one day there will be a generation that sees it not as a vision, but as fulfillment of God’s promise. That is the day of the final “Amen.”