The Throne of God

In the message to Laodicea, the Lord announces the victor's reward — His throne. We read in Revelation 3:21: "To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne." Without understanding what this means, one might not even notice the magnitude of this reward. I think the host of fallen angels was outraged when they heard such a statement. Satan was cast down from Heaven because he said in his heart: "I will ascend to heaven, I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit on the mount of assembly on the heights of Zaphon; I will ascend to the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:13-14) Can you imagine the jealousy and hatred the enemy of souls now feels toward those who are candidates for this place and sometimes do not even value or understand what is being offered to the victor?

It is not for us to decide what reward we are to receive. Thanks to our humility and ignorance, we are content with the most modest place and status in the Heavenly Kingdom, so the magnitude of the proposed reward does not agitate our consciousness.

Living in the material world, we often witness various competitions that identify one victor who, by status, is entitled to the main prize. And sometimes many losers are the best of the best, but the award goes to one person or one team. But in God's plan of salvation, everyone receives a reward. And this gladdens the heart and gives hope that this Divine promise has power for me too if I follow the counsels of the Faithful Witness and enter into constant trading and friendly relationships with Him.

A throne is a symbol of supreme state power, judgment, and governance. It can be both a literal elevated place on which a monarch's or spiritual leader's magnificent throne is set, and in a figurative sense mean the highest governmental power with which all subjects must reckon.

God's throne is a real place of God's presence, on which He sits as the King and Ruler of the Universe. It is the center of the Heavenly Kingdom. And in a spiritual sense, it is a place in the heart of a person who has chosen God as their Lord and Savior and allowed Christ to establish His throne in their soul. It is the spiritual authority of Deity, capable of changing and cleansing sinful hearts and making Christ's followers worthy citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom.

Where God's throne is, there is also God's Kingdom, and it is, according to Jesus' words, within us (Luke 17:21).

The Biblical description of God's throne shows us the place where God Himself sits. We are also given to understand that the foundation of this throne is heaven and earth, justice and righteousness, truth and judgment, mercy and truth.

In the first chapter of the prophet Ezekiel, we are presented with a detailed description of God's throne, for which the prophet could not find suitable words, and therefore we see such indefinite expressions as "as it were" and "like." In reality, it is very difficult to describe something that has no analogues in our visible world and to invent words that would reflect reality and be understandable to readers.

Studying the question of God's throne, one can conclude that in Heaven there is a stationary throne in the form of an exalted seat on which the Master of the Universe sits, and there is also a mobile throne in the form of a fiery chariot with four fiery wheels. And this chariot delivers the Lord where He needs to be visibly present.

The Bible also tells us that in addition to God's throne in Heaven, there are other thrones on which judges invested with Divine power and authority sit (Revelation 4:4). Jesus also told His disciples that they would occupy 12 thrones to judge 12 tribes (Luke 22:30).

In the book of Daniel 7:9-10, a mobile throne of God is described, from which a fiery river flowed. And in Revelation 22:1, the Eternal White Throne of God and the Lamb is shown, from which flows a river of life, bright as crystal.

In the works of the Spirit of Prophecy, we can also find a description of the stationary and mobile Divine throne in the Heavenly Sanctuary (Early Writings, p. 55).

Nowhere and never did the Lord give His throne to anyone except Christ, when He, as the Victor over sin and Satan, ascended to Heaven with His blood shed for the redemption of humanity. But then in the Message to Laodicea, Jesus promises victors that they will share a place on His throne. What this means is personally difficult for me to comprehend and explain because understanding these words lies beyond the limits of limited human imagination, and I think many heavenly beings also do not fully understand it. Our Lord loves to clothe many of His decisions in mystery and then reveal these mysteries to seeking and thirsting souls.

The Bible also tells us that Satan also had his throne in Heaven, which he dreamed of raising above all, and now his throne is on earth, which he gives to the beast from Revelation 13:2.

Also, in Revelation 2:13, there is mention of a literal visible throne of Satan, which was established in Pergamon and on which human sacrifices were made. Time buried this throne under the earth, but for some strange circumstances, this cult structure was found by archaeologists, excavated, transported to the center of Europe, and took a new place in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin as a historical landmark. However, the essence and purpose of this structure have not changed, and those who were involved in installing this monument in a new place may not even realize what they have introduced into European culture. And it is quite possible that in the near future this structure will resume its rituals for the purpose with which it was built at the beginning of its birth.

The Bible promises us that judgments and plagues will be poured out on Satan's throne and kingdom, and no one will repent, and this kingdom will be overthrown forever (Revelation 16:10-11).

But God's throne will be exalted and established forever, and nothing will shake it.

God's throne on earth is His visible church organization arranged according to Heavenly principles, as well as the invisible church of Christ, scattered throughout the world and consisting of daughters and sons of God, currently in various denominations, but honoring God according to conscience and according to the light received. Soon the time will come when the Lord will purify His people and command all His children to come out of spiritual Babylon and become one victorious people to whom a great reward is promised. These people will be honored to meet their Savior among the living victors.

God's throne is the authority of God's agape love over the hearts and minds of God's children. It is the personal presence of God through the Holy Spirit in the mind of a believing person. And where God's throne is, God's Kingdom is also established.

In calling us kings and a royal priesthood, the authors of these words made no mistake but described what is actually the truth (1 Peter 2:9).

The most interesting part is that the victors will receive the right place next to Jesus on His throne and will reign with Him and sing a new song about this (Revelation 5:9-10).

And now is the time of preparation for this amazing status called "victor."

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Hebrews 1:3; Isaiah 6:1; 66:1; Psalms 88:15; 96:2; 1 Kings 10:18-20; 22:19; Job 26:9; 36:7; Psalms 9:8; 10:4; 44:7; Proverbs 16:2; 20:28; Jeremiah 17:12; Lamentations 5:19; Daniel 7:9-10; Matthew 5:34; 25:31-32; Revelation 4:5-6; 20:11 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. What throne is being discussed in Revelation 3:21?

5. Why was Satan cast out of Heaven for dreaming of raising his throne and being like the Most High?

6. Why does the Lord promise us what Satan so dreamed of?

7. Do you understand the magnitude of the reward promised to the victor?

8. Would you like to be next to Jesus on His throne?

9. What is needed to receive the reward promised by God?

10. Which believers of the last time will never receive the promise in Revelation 3:21?

11. What should I do if I want to be a victor but do not know how to become one?

12. Why only the victor will sit with Christ on the throne, not all who labor and are burdened?

13. Is it easy to be a victor?

14. Will the other heavenly beings respect the authority that the saved will receive?

15. Would you want to receive God's throne without Christ on it?