The Throne of God, Part 1

The title of the sermon today is, The Throne of God the Father. How much do you know about the throne of God the Father? How would you like to be caught up to the throne of God the Father? What would it be like? God the Father is the one who calls us, John 644.

God the Father is the one who begets us, James 1, 17, 18, of His own will beget He us with the Word of Truth. And of course, it is the Father who begets us with His Spirit. And we'll be experiencing the laying on of hands today with a baptismal ceremony.

Of course, the Holy Spirit could be working with a person, influencing them, drawing them. No man can come to Me unless the Father draw him. So the Father is intimately involved with you from the very inception of your faith journey. God the Father is the one that we pray to. Our Father who art in heaven, Matthew 6.9, hallowed be your name. It is God the Father, as you heard in the sermon at Matthew 6.12, that forgives our sins.

God the Father is the one who brings us to birth in His family. If you would turn to Romans 8.11, this is a Scripture I've read quite a few times here.

And even with the ministry, I think they still don't get it. It should be a memory Scripture. Who raised Jesus Christ from the dead? God the Father. How does Jesus Christ address God as Father? In Romans 8 and verse 11, But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken or make alive your mortal bodies by the Spirit that dwells in you.

So it is the Father who raises us from the dead. As Job said, I will wait in my grave until that day come. You will have a desire to the work of your hands, and the resurrection takes place. Christ came to reconcile us to the Father. Christ taught us to worship the Father, and so did the apostles. Look at 1 Peter 1. I think, especially in the nominal world of Christendom, some people don't like for you to use the nominal world of Christian. It is by name only.

That's what nominal means, by name only. The focus is on Jesus Christ almost entirely, and we should focus on Jesus Christ, because it is through faith and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that our sins can be remitted. But God the Father is the one who calls us. God the Father is the one who begets us, as we've already noted. In 1 Peter 1, verse 18, For as much as we know that we were not redeemed, we were not bought back from the death penalty, the wages of sin is death, with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conduct, received by tradition from your fathers.

Of course, Peter went to Babylon, and this epistle is written from Babylon. Peter also went to the Gentile world, but many of the Jews had migrated into, and Israelites had migrated into, that area of the world, beginning with the Assyrian captivity of the northern ten tribes. So we're not redeemed by the tradition from your father, but with the precious blood of Christ as a lamb, without blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world.

The word foreordained means to know beforehand, but was made manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him up, once again this thing of God the Father raises us from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God, time after time. Jesus Christ said, I came not to do my own will, but the will of the Father. The words I speak are not mine, but those of the Father.

So Jesus Christ pointed the disciples of that age to the Father. Are we pointing people to the Father today in the way that we should? How would you like to be caught up to the throne of God, to experience what it might be like? Well, the Apostle Paul was caught up. We go now to 2 Corinthians 12, and this experience Paul had, it was so real, he said, I don't know if it was a vision or whether I was literally there. In 2 Corinthians 12 and verse 1, It is not expedient for me, doubtless, to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Of course, continually the Corinthians were accusing Paul of all kinds of things, not really being impossible, not collecting tithes, criticizing him for being weak in appearance, squeaky voice, bad eyes, whatever else they could conjure up. Paul says, I knew a man in Christ about 14 years ago, whether in the body I cannot tell or whether out of the body I cannot tell, God knows such a one caught up to the third heaven. The Bible speaks of three heavens, the atmosphere that we breathe, and then the birds fly, and then the, what we call, outer space.

The third heaven, where God's throne is, And I knew such a man, whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell, God knows, how that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one will I glory, not of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. Paul writes that in my infirmities I am made strong.

Our goal today is to learn as much as we can about the throne of God. Past, present, and future will probably be more in Revelation 4 today. Probably won't have time to cover everything that I have. Might have to have part 2. But there was another man, we'll turn now to Revelation 4, the Apostle John, the book of Revelation, the revelation of God, that he gave to Christ, who gave it to an angel, who gave it to John. And John was given a vision of the throne of God.

Revelation 4.

After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven.

This is the third heaven.

And the voice which I heard was, let me start over. After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was as if it were of a trumpet talking with me, which said, Come up here, and I will show you things which must be hereafter.

Of course, there are some who claim that the book of Revelation has been fulfilled, and all of this has passed. I don't know how on earth you can come to that conclusion based on all the things that are contained herein. And immediately I was in the Spirit, and the Holy Throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Now, what we might add at this juncture, if you'll hold your place there, the tabernacle that was built in the wilderness, constructed. Look at Exodus 25, hold your place, Exodus 25.

And that tabernacle that Moses was instructed to build in the wilderness, where God placed his presence at that time, was to be constructed after the pattern in heaven.

In Exodus 25, verse 8, And let them make me a sanctuary. They took up a great offering the people gave so much they had to tell them to stop giving.

Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them, and God did place his presence above the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies. The Jews call it the Shekinah glory.

According to all that I shall show you after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of the instruments thereof, even shall you make it.

And begins to give them instruction as to how they should make the tabernacle. And we'll see that some of the elements around the throne of God were, in fact, a pattern to a large degree that was used in making the tabernacle, and reflected by the throne of God.

Continuing now back in Revelation 4.

And he that sat on the throne, by the way, the Greek word for throne is thronus. It's the one and same one, the same Greek word that's translated seat when it comes to the 24 elders.

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone.

See, it doesn't give the facial features, the torso, any of that, careful not to make something that people could make into. And I just said it was like these precious stones.

And there was a rainbow round about the throne. It was a complete circle, not just like you see when it comes down and meets at the horizon or the earth.

Once or twice in my life, I've seen the end of the rainbow, literally where it comes down and strikes the earth.

Of course, it's just the sun shining on the water.

And it was a sign that God would not destroy the world again in the manner he did in the days of Noah.

And there was a rainbow round about the throne in sight, like unto an emerald. And emeralds are green.

And round about the throne were twenty-four seats. Now, the Greek word there is thrown us. It is what is translated in verse 2 as throne. So there were twenty-four thrones.

And upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white raiment, and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Now, much discussion has taken place from time to time among commentators, people with regard to, who are the twenty-four elders? What do they represent?

I think we'll be able to ferret out some of that.

We'll go on best knowledge available in the Scripture with regard to it.

So who are the twenty-four elders, and what were they created to do?

Clothed in white raiment, of course white raiment is the linen, the righteousness of the saints.

We can look at that in... If you want to hold your place here continually in Revelation chapter 19, we see that.

Revelation chapter 19, about what white raiment and linen represent.

Revelation 19, verse 8, And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

So upon the twenty-four thrones, twenty-four elders were sitting on thrones.

The same word that is translated throne in verse 2, as we have noted twice already.

These elders have a regal character, or one of a kingly order.

This is apparent because they are represented as sitting on thrones and have crowns on their heads.

They're not angels, for they have white robes and crowns of victory, implying a conflict and endurance.

Now we see more about these twenty-four elders in Revelation 5 and verse 8.

In Revelation 5 and verse 8, and when you had taken the book, of course, this is about opening the seals.

The one sitting on the throne had this book. No one was counted worthy to open it. Then the Lamb of God was counted worthy to open the book.

In verse 8, and when you had taken the book, before beasts and twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them hearts and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.

And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof, you being Jesus Christ, for you were slain and have redeemed us by your blood.

Who are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ while human beings who have sinned, and then exercise faith in the sacrifice of Christ so that their sins could be remitted, you have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred.

Notice this. Out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation.

And have made unto us our God, and have made us unto our God kings and priests.

Have made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth.

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them heard, saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.

And the four beasts said Amen, and the twenty-four elders fell down and worshipped him that lives forever.

It seems, since these twenty-four were redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, that they would be symbolic of the completed church, or those saints in the first resurrection.

As noted in Revelation 5.9 that we read, they represent all nations, Jew and Gentiles, peoples of all nations that have been redeemed, and they are made kings and priests, and they set upon thrones.

Will you, as a resurrected spirit, be set upon a throne in the kingdom of God?

Look at, once again, we're coming back to four, look at Revelation 20.

In Revelation chapter 20, the first part is taken up with Satan being chained and bound.

Revelation chapter 20, verse 3, Satan is cast in the bottomless pit, deceived the nations no more until the thousand years are finished.

Verse 4, And I saw thrones, and they set upon them, and judgment was given unto them.

And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God, which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Thrones were put before. You are destined to sit on thrones.

In 24 elders around the throne of God, this vision given to John sat on thrones.

It seems that they represent the church triumphant, the church victorious, and if we can, in the closing hymn, I want it to be the church's one foundation, which to some degree summarizes some of this. I forgot to tell you up front.

Thus they have crowns on their heads, they have harps in their hands.

They have white raiment, white raiment, linen, righteousness of the saints, they have crowns on their heads, signifying royalty, kingship, they have harps in their hands, they sing and praise God, and a little more about that later.

It seems that this whole vision is to represent the church triumphant, redeemed, saved, rendering praise and honor to God, uniting with the host of heaven, worshiping Him, as we read in those last three or four verses in chapter 5.

Having been redeemed, they encircle His throne, they appear victorious over every foe, they come in unison with the living creatures and the angels, and the whole universe to ascribe power and dominion to God.

So we read, once again, Revelation 5.

Well, maybe we start in 11.

And I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne.

This is like the whole creation of beings that have intelligence, power, and power. And I want to say to do this, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts and the elders, and the number of them, were ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing in every creature, every creature, which is in heaven and on earth, see every tongue shall confess and every knee shall bow.

On the earth and under the earth, such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, blessing and honor and glory and power be unto him, that sits upon the throne, that is God the Father, and unto the Lamb forever and ever, and the four beasts said Amen, and the twenty-four elders fell down and worshipped him, that lives forever and ever.

They have harps in their hands, so they are pictured on the sea of glass, and we'll talk about what the sea of glass is, singing the victory song of Moses.

So we go now to Revelation chapter 5.

Revelation chapter 5, if the resurrection takes place, and I'm believing the Bible, which says that the last Trump, the seventh Trump, the dead and Christ shall rise first, and then, after their resurrected, those that are alive and remain will be caught up in the air, and so shall they ever be with the Lord.

So that's the beginning of the seventh Trump.

Now, the seventh Trump is divided into the seven vials of wrath that are described in Revelation 16.

So in Revelation 15 verse 1, I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues, or the vials of wrath that are described in 16.

For in them is filled up the wrath of God.

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire, and then that it had gotten the victory over the beast, similar to what we read in Revelation 5, and over the image, and over His mark, over the number of His name, I'm sorry, in Revelation 20, over the image, and over His mark, and over the number of His name, stand on the sea of glass, having the hearts of God.

And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, great and marvelous are your works, similar to the last four verses there in Revelation 5.

Praising God, worshipping Him.

Marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are your ways, you King of saints, who shall not fear you, O eternal, and glorify your name, for you are holy.

For you only are holy. For you only is holy.

You only is in italics.

Of course, the saints are holy as well, and spirit beings are holy because they are spirit, and holy things have God's active presence in them.

For holy, for all nations, shall come and worship before you, for your judgments are made manifest.

And after that, I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.

Now, this earthly tabernacle sanctuary was made after the pattern of the heavenly.

Paul talks about that in Hebrews, and it's also in Exodus as well.

And the seven angels came out of the temple, having seven plagues clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.

See, one of the four beasts.

So it seems that these beasts are special messengers that help God do certain tasks that He assigns to them. So it says, And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.

And the temple was filled with smoke for the glory of God, and from His power no man was able to enter into the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

So from the time of the resurrection, the resurrection, if it takes place at the seventh truck, you still have the seven vials of wrath to go.

Where would the saints be during that time?

We shall leave that as an open question.

Now continuing in Revelation 4, their clothed in white raiment, which is emblem of purity, therefore they could very easily be representatives of the glorified church.

We read Revelation 19.6-9, with the righteousness, the white linen symbolizes the righteousness of the saints.

They had on their heads crowns of gold, emblematic of the fact that they now have a kingly office.

He has made us kings and priests.

There was blended in this representation the idea that they were both, that they were kings and they were priests.

In the kingdom of God, the office of church and state will be combined, and it will be a theocracy, and government and church and state will be united.

Look at Zechariah.

Oftentimes people talk about Zechariah.

Who is the ultimate fulfillment of Zechariah? Jesus Christ.

Zarebabel was a type.

There have been others who maybe you could say they were types in building the spiritual temple.

But this leaves no doubt. This is Zechariah 6, verse 12.

And speaking to them, saying, Thus speaks the word of the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold, the man whose name is the branch, and I won't go to all the reference scriptures. Isaiah 11 especially would tell you that it is the Son of David, Jesus Christ. The man whose name is the branch, he shall grow up out of the land.

His name is the branch, he shall grow up out of his place. And he shall build the temple of the Lord. Now your companion, Scripture, Matthew 16, 18, Jesus Christ said to Peter, You art, Petros, little rock, but upon this rock, Peter, a big rock, I will build my church. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Also Ephesians 2, 20, which says that the church is founded upon the foundation of the prophets, apostles, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone. Also Isaiah 28, 16, which says, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, a stone for some that will be a rock of offense and stumbling, which the Jews stumbled at.

He shall build the temple of the Lord, even he shall build the temple of the Lord, and he shall bear the glory and shall sit upon his throne. And he shall be a priest upon his throne. See, he will sit and rule kingship, government, and he shall be a priest upon his throne. And the council of peace shall be between them both.

That is, government and religion combined. Church and state, as they call it, today. David ordered the priest into 24 courses, which could also typify the 24 elders that are pictured here, because we are going to be priests, kings and priests in the kingdom of God. If you look at 1 Chronicles 24 verse 5, 1 Chronicles 24 verse 5, of course it's easy to get your concordance and follow the fact that David divided the priesthood up into 24 courses.

In 1 Chronicles 24 verse 5, Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another, for the governors of the sanctuary and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eliezer and of the sons of Ithamar.

Now you look at verses 18 and 19. 18 and 19. The 3 and 20, so the 23rd course, to Delia and then the 24th course to Mazaziah. These were the orderings of them and their service to come into the house of the Lord according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel, had commanded them. So David set the priesthood into 24 courses that served in their order as the time came about.

The kingdom of God, the offices, king and priest, as we have said, are combined, as we have read from Zechariah chapter 6. Also Revelation 5.10, has made us kings and priests. We shall reign on the earth. And as we've already read from Revelation 20 verse 4, thrones were cast and they sat upon them and they reigned for a thousand years. God's throne was represented by the mercy seat in the tabernacle in the wilderness, and the Shekinah glory appeared above the mercy seat.

When the tabernacle was dedicated, this is the last few verses of Exodus 40, the last chapter in Exodus, when that tabernacle was dedicated, it was so bright, the glory of God, that filled that tabernacle that Moses could not even stay in it. I don't know if he ever even got past the door, as they say. So God's throne was represented by the mercy seat in the holy of holies, and above the mercy seat, the presence or glory of God.

Now we read a little more here in Revelation 4 verse 5, And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices, and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. So did the tabernacle have a representation of seven lamps, the menorah? Let's go now to Exodus chapter 25 again, and we'll begin in verse 31. Exodus 35, beginning in verse 31.

Remember now that this tabernacle was built after the heavenly? In Exodus 25 and verse 31, And you shall make a candlestick of pure gold. So there was a center candlestick, a big center candlestick. The menorah is sort of shaped like that, half moon-like. And this big candlestick in the middle, You shall make a candlestick of pure gold, and in the middle of beaten works shall the candlestick be made. His shaft and his branches, his bowls, his knobs, and his flowers shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it, three branches on either side of the candlestick.

So you had seven candlesticks. Here is the vision in Revelation chapter 1, where Jesus Christ is seen walking, and he's walking among the seven candlesticks. He's holding the seven stars in his hands. He said that the candlesticks are the seven churches, and the stars are the messengers to the churches. So we can read this here. Three bowls made like almonds with knop and flour in one branch, three bowls like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower.

So in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. So total there's seven. One in the middle, and three on either side. Look at verse 37. And you shall make the seven lamps thereof. So the candlesticks are equated with lamps. And you shall make the seven lamps therefore, and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.

Jesus Christ said, I am the light of the world. God the Father, of course, is light. Jesus Christ is light and is manifest through their spirit upon the sons of men. We are the light of the world, it says of Matthew. We are the light of the world, and we are to let our light shine so that men might glorify God. You shall make the seven lamps thereof, and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they shall give light over against it, and the tongs thereof, and the snuffers thereof, that they shall be of pure gold, of a talon of pure gold, and shall make it with all their vessels.

And look that you make them after their pattern, which was showed there in the mount. So Moses was shown a pattern of the heavenly, and he was to replicate that in making the tabernacle. And of course, there's a representation. The throne of God is represented by the mercy seat, and the presence of God is represented by the glory that filled the presence of God, that filled the tabernacle. Now continuing in Revelation 4, see, the seven lamps are equated with the seven spirits of God. Now the seven spirits of God... Look at Revelation. This is a little bit off the track, but it's in Revelation 5, verse 6.

And I beheld and lo in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, in the midst of the elders, stood a lamb, as it has been slain, having seven horns. Of course, horn represents might and power, and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth. And so the lamps are equated with the eyes and the spirit. Seven lamps, seven eyes, seven spirits. Now I would speculate to say that God has sent forth the church of God, those who have the Spirit of God in them, through the earth.

Of course, there are spirit beings as well, because it says in Hebrews 1.14, that angels are ministering servants sent to the heirs of salvation. See, the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 represent the church through the ages. That is not to say necessarily that there are seven distinct as maybe there are, but I'm not saying that per se myself. But the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 represent the church through the ages, and the conditions extant in the church from the time of its inception to the present day is pretty well covered by the messages to those seven churches.

Like the one, the message to Ephesus, they are commended for trying those who say they are apostles and are not. I think we've been through that. And so these seven spirits of God, and so the menorah was there in the tabernacle and later in the Solomon's Temple, representing the light, the Spirit of God.

The actual presence of God, the glory of God, was manifested in light, in brightness, above the mercy seat. Then verse 6, And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal, and the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. I mean, they had eyes in the back of their head, as they say. The sea of glass corresponds to the molten sea before the sanctuary, wherein the priests washed themselves before entering in their holy service.

So they're introduced here in connection with the redeemed priests unto God, and the redeemed priests unto God are able to stand, where do they stand? On the sea of glass. In Revelation 15, verse 2.

Look at 2 Chronicles 4. It talks about here the brazen sea. This is in conjunction with the building of the temple thereof. In 2 Chronicles 4, beginning with verse 1. In 2 Chronicles 4, More he made an altar of brass, twenty cubics long thereof, twenty cubics the breadth thereof, and ten cubics high. And he made a molten sea of ten cubics from brim to brim, round and compass, five cubics in height, and a line of thirty cubics did composite round about. And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did composite round about, ten and a cubic compassing the sea, see this molten sea, round about. Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast. So there was that representation of the molten sea of brass. And here it is, the sea of glass. And the sea of brass was where the priests would wash themselves before doing the service of God. And so eventually, the saints stand on the sea of glass. They have overcome all of the obstacles that are named there, and whatever other trials and tribulations that they have experienced. The four living creatures, this probably is the most difficult with regard to saying dogmatically what they are, the four living creatures, it says four beasts, but living creatures about the throne, full of eyes before and behind. The first beast was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face of a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes wherein they rest not day and night. So they are always ready, they are always there, they are always ready to do the work of God. Now, six wings is used three times in the Bible, two times referring to the beasts here that are around God's throne. And there is another reference to seraphim. If you would turn to Isaiah 6. In Isaiah 6 we see here the seraphim that have six wings, and notice what they do here. Isaiah had been called by God to do a great work to prophesy. Isaiah protested in that he said that he was a man of unclean lips.

I don't know if it had to do with profanities, spouting off, or what it was. And you know how it seemed like he had not the right kind of language. In Isaiah 6, verse 1, in the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne. I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne.

Here is another man, there is another one, Ezekiel. I may not have time to get to today. I saw also the Lord sitting upon the throne high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. And above it stood the seraphims. It seems that the seraphims are equated with the four beasts. Perhaps not, but it's what it sounds like here. And they do a special work. Remember that one of the four beasts was the one in Revelation 5, verse 7, I believe it is, who brought the seven vials to this angel to pour out upon the earth.

Above it stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two wings he covered his face, with two wings he covered his feet, and with two wings he did fly. And one cried unto another and said, Holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory. So very similar to the language in Revelation 4 and 5. And the post of the door moved at the voice of Him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

Then said, I woe is me, I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. I mean, you turn on the television today if you want to watch a movie. You probably have to turn it because of the language. For mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Then flew one of the seraphim under me, one of the seraphim having the six wings. Then flew one of the seraphim under me having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tomes from off the altar. And he laid it upon my mouth and said, Lo, this has touched your lips, and your iniquity has taken away, and your sin purged.

And I heard the voice of Yahweh saying, Whom shall I sin? Whom will go for me? Then said I, Here am I, sin me. That is the correct response to God. But at first Moses protested when God called him, saying that he couldn't really speak. And God said, Well, I've got Aaron who will speak for you. Isaiah said, Well, I've got a dirty mouth.

God said, I'll clean it up and go and do the work. So the four living creatures probably answered to the cara beam over the mercy seat. Now we go back to Exodus 25 and verse 17. Once again, the sanctuary that they were constructing reflected the pattern that Moses was shown in the mount of how the tabernacles should be built. In Exodus 25 again. In Exodus 25 and verse 17. And you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold, two cubics, and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubic and a half of breadth thereof.

You shall make two cara beams of gold, of beaten work, shall you make them in the two ends of the mercy seat, and make one carab on the one end and the other on the other end, even in the mercy seat, and you shall make the carabons on the two ends thereof.

And the carab shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another toward the mercy seat, and shall the faces of the carab, carabons, be. And you shall put the mercy seat above the ark and upon the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony, of course that's the Ten Commandments written by the finger of God. Now, there were two carabons here, so that may not be exactly the parallel, but it seems for sure that the seraphim, that are mentioned in Isaiah 6, and what they did with six wings and all of that seemed to be representative of.

So, now back in Revelation 4, there's an interesting point that I just thought of, and it's off the track to some degree, but to me it's interesting to note. See, the carabums that were made for the tabernacle were made of physical material that's described there in Exodus. Now, if you look at Ezekiel 28, at one time, Lucifer, meaning light-bringer, was at the throne of God, and he was the anointed carab that covers, until the nicotine was found in him.

In Ezekiel 28, verse 14, you art the anointed carab that covers, and I've set you so you were upon the holy mountain of God, you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire, you were perfect in all your ways, and the day you were created till the nicotine was found in you.

So, apparently, here was this one right at the throne of God, because of his view of himself, and perhaps because God shared with him what his role was to be with the angels that he was set over, to be the ministering servants to the heirs of salvation.

Those who would be literally born of the same essence of God into the family of God.

Now we continue in Revelation 4. We'll read verse 8 again, And when these beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him that sat on the throne and worship him that lives forever and ever, and cast their thrones before the throne, saying, Cast their crowns to find us before the throne, saying, You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.

So, brethren, where is our focus? Is our focus on God the Father and Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ is going to, and God the Father, are going to eventually set their throne among us forever and ever.

What a wonderful experience that is going to be.

We will turn now to Revelation 22, and we will stop here after reading, commenting here, Revelation 22 for today.

But I have much more to say with regard to the throne of God, the throne of David, the throne of Jesus Christ.

And we'll take that up maybe the next Sabbath.

In Revelation 22, verse 1, He showed me a pure river of water, water of life, clears crystal, proceeding out of, what's the title of the sermon, the throne of God, and of the Lamb, the throne of God, and of the Lamb.

These two are consistently linked together in the book of Revelation, the two being God the Father and the Lamb.

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river was there, the tree of life, which bear twelve men of fruit and yielded the fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

There shall be no more curse. Of course, the ground was cursed, and there was a curse placed when Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden.

But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and all His servants shall serve Him.

And they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light nor the sun, for the Lord God gives them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. Rather than that's what we are called to, and thrones were cast, and they that sat upon them will reign with a thousand years, made kings and priests, to our God.