The Throne of God, Part 2

Continuing with our theme about the throne of God, I wonder if we gathered or caught the significance of the first sermon on the throne of God two weeks ago. But we shall review some of that and go farther with this. Today we'll title the throne of God, David, the Lamb, and the Saints.

We saw that the Apostle John was given a vision of God's throne. So we will review some of the things that we discussed last Sabbath and continue. It wasn't last Sabbath, it was two weeks ago. We saw that the tabernacral in the wilderness was patterned after God's throne in the heavens. So if you would turn to Exodus, Exodus 25. Israel came out of Egypt on the third month of their journey from Egypt. They came out Sinai. It was the day of Pentecost when God thundered the Ten Commandments to the nation of Israel, according to a Jewish legend. And it seems to be the case. On the third month, the day of Pentecost, and God gave them His law. Then He gave them the statues and the judgments.

And He entered into, in Exodus 24, a marriage covenant with them that we call the Old Covenant or the Law Covenant. Then in Exodus 25, He told them to build Him a sanctuary because it was God's intent from the time that He created humankind that He would be their God and they would be His people, and He would dwell with them and eventually end them. So in Exodus 25 and verse 9, Exodus 25 and verse 9, According to all that I show you, after the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall you make it. In verse 8, What was the purpose? Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them. And so they built a sanctuary according to the pattern that Moses was shown in the mount. You look in verse 40, Exodus 25 and verse 40, and look that you make them after their pattern which was shown you in the mount. So the various elements of the tabernacle were a reflection of that which was in heaven in the third heaven. Remember the Apostle Paul, he was caught up into the third heaven described in 2 Corinthians chapter 12, and he said he saw things that were unspeakable. It's such a glorious, awesome kind of place that really defies human ability to describe. So let's go to Revelation chapter 1. Revelation chapter 1, we keep in mind that the tabernacle in the wilderness was patterned after the heavenly. Some of the times people tend to forget that the revelation of the book of Revelation came from who? God the Father. A lot of people say it's the revelation of Christ. Well, it's the revelation of Christ after he received it from the Father. So you look at Revelation chapter 1 and verse 1, you'll see the chain of revelation. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him. So where did it begin? Who initiated the revelation? It was God the Father. To show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. See, these things had not come to pass. And he set and signified it by his angel, Angelos, which can be a human being or a divine being, and his servant John. So the revelation went from the Father to Jesus Christ to the angel and to John. John writes it down and it's sent to the seven churches.

Note verses 4 and 5, especially, John to the seven churches which are in Asia, grace be unto you, and peace from him which is, which was, and which is to come. Who is that speaking of?

God the Father. And from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness and the first begotten, and it should be translated, the first-born, prototichos, the first-born from the dead. Jesus Christ was the first one to have ever lived in the flesh and be resurrected to spirit life as a glorious, radiant spirit being in the family of God. Romans 8 says that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. He is not ashamed to call us brethren, because he is the first-born among many brethren.

The first-born of the dead and the prince of the kings of the earth, unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and have made us kings and priests unto God and his Father. See, Jesus Christ calls God Father, God the Father, our Father.

Made us kings and priests unto God, and his Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.

Behold, he comes with clouds, and every eye shall see him. And they also who pierced him, and all kindred to the earth shall bewail him, even so, Amen.

I am Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the ending says, the Lord, which is, which was, which is to come, the Almighty.

So John is instructed to write in three dimensions of time, past, present, future.

Now we go to Revelation 4, which we read two weeks ago. Verse 1, After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven.

And the first voice, which I heard, was, as it were, of a trumpet, talking with me, which said, Come up here, and I will show you things which must be hereafter, which must be hereafter, showing that these things had not yet taken place, the things which must be hereafter.

And immediately I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And the description is given in verse 4, and round about the throne were 24 seats, and that word seats is thronos, the same one in verse 2 that translated throne. And we talked about how the saints will be given thrones, Revelation 24, so a part of the title, the throne of God, and David, the Lamb, and the saints, because those who are in the resurrection, the spirit resurrection, will be given thrones. So round about the throne were four and twenty thronos, thrones, and upon the seats I saw twenty-four elders sitting clothed in white raiment, and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

And so we talked about the twenty-four elders being symbolic of the completed church.

You know, in the past, maybe you thought, well, these were spirit beings, a special creation of God. Well, there are visions that are given here that points toward the future and what there will be in the future. Now, how do you know that these represent those who have been redeemed?

You look to Revelation chapter 5. Revelation chapter 5. So the twenty-four elders are symbolic of the completed church. As noted in Revelation 5 verse 9, they represent all nations, Jews and Gentiles, peoples of all nations. Revelation 5 and verse 9. Well, we should back up and read 8, because the identity is very clear here.

And when he had taken the book, the four 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 the saints. And they sung a new song saying, You are worthy to take this book and to open the seals thereof, for you were slain and have redeemed us. You have redeemed us. If you were a spirit being, you would not need redemption, because all of the spirit beings that are good are with God.

Satan led a contingent of evil. Well, they became evil. They became demons.

Every one of them, I'm sorry, when he had taken the book, the four beasts and twenty-four elders fell down, they sung a new song, You are worthy to take the book and to open the seals, for you were slain and have redeemed us to God. How by your blood out of every kindred and tongues and people and nations. So that's everybody.

That's everybody that has been redeemed and have made us unto our God, kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. And behold, I beheld and 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 and 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.

This seems to be this period of time just before the marriage supper of the Lamb, similar language we'll find in Revelation 19. And every creature which is in heaven and on earth and under the earth, such as are in the sea and that are in them, I heard saying, blessing and honor and glory and power be unto him that sits upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever and ever. And the twenty-four beasts said, Amen, and the twenty-four elders, I'm sorry, the four beasts said, Amen, and the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped him that lives forever and ever.

So we see that the twenty-four elders were redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, representing the church triumphant, because we see all of these joining in with the heavenly host, praising God around about his throne. Verse 12, 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. Having been redeemed, they encircle his throne, they appear victorious over every foe, and they join in with unison, praising and worshiping God. Let's note the other scriptural references to the four beasts and the twenty-four elders.

We have noted here from Revelation chapter 4, the twenty-four elders sitting on thrones. We have read here from Revelation 5 verse 8 that the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. And now in Revelation chapter 11. Revelation chapter 11. Revelation chapter 11 in verse 14. Verse 14 of Revelation 11 culminates the first six trumpet plagues. Trumpet plague 5 and 6 are called the first two woes. Remember, the first four woes in Revelation 8, not the first four trumpet plagues in Revelation 8, are basically poured out on the environment. Not altogether, but to a large degree. Each one of the angels sound and the plague is poured out. Then, in chapter 9, the first woe and the second woe are described. Then you have the inset chapter of chapter 10. And we look here at Revelation 11.14. It describes in the first part of Revelation 11 the city of Jerusalem being divided and given over the nations for three and a half years. It describes the two witnesses and their work for three and a half years. It describes them being killed, lying in the streets of Jerusalem for days, a few days. And then, it says three and a half, and then they are caught up. And then, after verse 13, there's a great earthquake, and a tenth part of the city fell. Seven thousand men were slain in the earthquake. The remnant were affrighted, who are the remnant. If you look at it plural. The second woe is passed. And behold, the third woe comes quickly. And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven saying, The kingdoms of this world are become, and it's progressive they are becoming. It doesn't just happen with one blast of the trumpet or one event. There are several events. The kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. And the twenty-four elders which sat before God on the seats fell upon their faces and worshiped God. So we note here that the twenty-four elders fell on their faces and worshiped God. Now, another reference to the twenty-four elders is in Revelation 15. Revelation 15 and verse 1. And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having seven last plagues. So the seven last plagues have not been poured out. The vials of wrath described in Revelation 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 got the victory over the beast. Then that it got the victory over the beast. These are human beings. And over His image, 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, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, you King of Saints. Similar to Revelation chapter 5, verses 11, 12, 13, 14. Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy, for all nations shall come and worship before you, for your judgments are made manifest. After this, or after that, I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle, the testimony in heaven, was opened. And the seven angels came out of the temple having the seven last 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 forever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power, and no man was able to enter in the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Then chapter 16 describes the seven vials of wrath and pouring them out in the battle of the great day of God Almighty. Chapter 17 describes spiritual Babylon. Chapter 18 describes commercial Babylon. Then we come to 19 and another reference to the 24 elders. And after these things, this is Revelation 19.1, after these things, I heard a great voice of much people in heaven saying, Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and honor and power unto the Lord our God, for true and righteous are his judgments. For he adjudged the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Hallelujah! And her smoke rose up forever and ever, and the 24 elders and the four beasts fell down and worshiped God that sat on the throne saying, Amen! Hallelujah! And a voice came out of the throne saying, Praise our God, all you servants, and you that fear him, both small and great. And I heard, as it were, a voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of many thunderings saying, Hallelujah! For the Lord God, omnipotent, reigneth. Very similar to the last several verses there that we read in Revelation 5. Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to him, for the marriage supper of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready. And then her array is very similar to that of the 24 elders back in Revelation chapter 4. To her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. And he said unto them, Right, blessed are they which are called, and the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said, These are the true sayings of God.

So the 24 elders are clothed in white raiment, symbol of purity and righteousness. They had on their heads, you notice verse 6, back in Revelation chapter 4, they had on their heads crowns of gold, emblematic of the fact that they have obtained a kingly office.

And blended into this is what we talked about last time as well when we covered this, that in the kingdom of God, church and state are combined. Now we go to Hebrews chapter 4, and we see that in the figurative, symbolic sense, Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 13, that he has translated us into the kingdom of his dear son, and that in we now who have the earnest of the Spirit, the seal of promise, the Holy Spirit seal of promise, that's Ephesians 4.30, that we can come boldly before the throne of God even now. In Hebrews chapter 4 verse 14, seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tested, tried as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly under the throne of grace. See, we can come symbolically, figuratively, before the throne of grace Now, this is one of the most encouraging scriptures in the whole Bible. And find grace, divine favor, to help in time of need. Now, back in Revelation chapter 4, in Revelation chapter 4, more of the description here, we'll briefly look at this symbolism again and go on. In Revelation chapter 4 again, John, seeing the description of God's throne and the creatures that surround the throne.

Revelation chapter 4.

We see once again that in verse 4, the elders sitting clothed in white raiment, and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And we have talked about that. Out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices. There were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. Now, in Revelation 5 and verse 6, these seven lamps, seven spirits, are equated with seven eyes. And that gets into what we'll be talking about in the Bible study on Wednesday, Zechariah 3, of seven eyes upon one stone.

Hold your place here. Look at Revelation 5-6. And I beheld and lo in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders stood a lamb as it has been slain, having seven horns, horns are symbolic of power and might and government, and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth unto all the earth. So you see that seven lamps, seven spirits, seven eyes are equated. The eyes are sent out over the earth. The church is the light of the world. We are to take the gospel to the world. You are the light of the world.

And so God has raised up the church to take the light to the world. Jesus Christ was, you know, in the New World Order, George Bush, Sr., talked about when upon the invasion of Kuwait to drive out Saddam Hussein, he said, we have a chance now for a new world order, and that we can all be points of light in this New World Order.

The true points of light are the ones who are reflecting the Spirit of God in their lives.

Now verse 5, and out of the throne, proceeded the lightnings, the thunderings in the voices. There were seven lamps, fire burning before the throne, the seven spirits of God, and we saw in Revelation 5-6, they're equated with eyes sent forth through all the earth. And before the throne, there was a sea of glass like unto crystal, and in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. The sea of glass corresponds to the molten sea before the sanctuary, 2 Chronicles 4 verses 1 through 3, wherein the priests washed themselves before entering into their holy service. And so, remember that the tabernacle was to be a reflection of the pattern from heaven. Look at 2 Chronicles 14.

Brethren, if you don't write these scriptures down, if you don't get in and study, when you are able to study, you begin to see insight into more and more. It opens up, and God increases your, the spirit of understanding and knowledge. You have to get in there and dig. People talk about gifts. Well, you have a gift, and they have a gift, and that kind of thing. Well, there are spiritual gifts, but I'm convinced that God does not just give out spiritual gifts and supernaturally zotted into a person's mind altogether, that they have to put out, put forth some effort. You know, in Solomon's prayer, God said, Well, ask what you will, I give it to you. And Solomon prayed for wisdom, and God did give him wisdom, which Solomon used for a period of time, before he had so many wives and concubines numbering a thousand and went after their gods. Second Chronicles 4, the first verse gives measurements, and so does the second.

In verse 4, verse 3, I mean, And under it was a similitude of oxen, which did composite round about ten and a cubit, compassing the sea round about two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast. It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, three looking toward the west, three looking toward the south, and three toward the east, representing the twelve tribes. And the sea was set upon them, and all their hind parts were inward. So the oxen are looking out, and on top of this, these representations of oxen, was a sea of glass. And so a sea of glass is pictured before the throne of God. And as we read in Revelation 15, the saints, those who have overcome, they are standing on the sea of glass, and they are singing the victory song of Moses.

Now we continue in Revelation 4. In Revelation 4, we saw the last part of verse 6. Four beasts full of eyes before and behind. So they have eyes that can look forward and backward, and the first beast was like a lion, second like a calf, third the face of a man, the fourth as a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within, and they rest not day and night. And they are continually crying out, praising God, holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, which is, and is to come.

And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne who lives forever and ever, then the 24 elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, worship him that lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, of course, realizing that power and might and strength comes from God. You're worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power. You have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created. So in Revelation 6, 8, we note that the four beasts have six wings. In Isaiah chapter 6, we notice that the seraphim have six wings. Isaiah was called upon to to take a message to Israel, and he said, oh, not me, Lord, because I'm a man of unclean lips. And so one of the seraphim takes a coal and puts it on his lips and purifies his lips.

Now we continue with the throne of God in other places in the Bible. I think we hopefully see the symbolism that is inherent there in chapters 4, 5, 15, and 19. Now, let's look at 1 Samuel chapter 2. Here we'll do a bit of a historical bringing it up to date from the first mention of God's throne in the Bible. The best I can tell, this is the first mention of God's throne in the Bible. In Genesis, you have talk about Pharaoh's throne and various earthly thrones, but the best I can tell, there might be an earlier reference, but so far I've not been able to find it, of God's throne. And we look at 1 Samuel beginning chapter 2 verse 8.

He raises up the poor out of the dust, lifts up the beggar and the dung hill to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory. To make them inherit the throne of glory. See, we're going to be inheritors of the glory of God, and we are going to have thrones that we sit upon. Once again, Revelation 24, 20 and verse 4. For the pillars of the earth are the eternals, and he has set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness for your strength, for by your strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the eternal shall be broken to pieces, out of heaven shall he thunder upon them. The Lord shall judge the ends of the earth, and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horns of his anointed. Anointed is the Messiah. The horns of his anointed. And so eventually, of course, Jesus Christ returns as King of kings and Lord of lords.

So this seems to be an indirect reference to the saints who will be made kings and priests in the kingdom of God.

Now we notice in 2 Samuel chapter 7 verse 13, something that has often been discussed. I think I gave a sermon here. I know I did in Houston, and at the feast on the throne of David. And most people, even in the church today, and I hope it's changing. I have surely discussed it many times with the ministers in our ministerial education class with regard to who is the one who ultimately sits on the throne of David. In 2 Samuel chapter 7 and verse 13. 7-13. He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of man, with the stripes of the children of men. But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you, your throne shall be established forever.

According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. Then went King David in, and sat before the eternal, and said, Who am I? Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house that you have brought me hither to? And this was yet a small thing in your sight, O Lord God, but you have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come.

And this is the matter of man, O Lord God. So here is this promise that is made to David. Look at Psalm 89. It's several times it was passed on to Solomon, if he would do such and such. In Psalm 89 and verse 1.

Psalm 89 and verse 1. Psalm 89 and verse 1. I'm having a little trouble turning there. My hands are so dry. Fingers.

Psalm 89 and verse 1. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, with my mouth will I make known your faithfulness to all generations. For I have said mercy shall be built up forever.

Your faithfulness shall you establish in the very heavens. I have made a covenant with my chosen.

I have sworn unto David my servant your seed. And as we shall see, Jesus Christ was of the seed of David. And your seed will I establish forever and build up your throne to all generations. David was a type of Christ.

Jesus is the descendant of David that will set on the throne of David forever. It's very clear in the scriptures, so don't get nervous and curl your toes yet.

In Psalm 132 and verse 11. In Psalm 132 and verse 11. That I shall teach, their children shall also sit upon your throne forevermore. For the eternal had chosen Zion. See, David built a tabernacle in Mount Zion. It was the interim step between the tabernacle in the wilderness and Solomon's temple. And the Ark of the Covenant was in that tabernacle for a while. I don't have time today to turn and trace through Psalm 78. But Psalm 78 is a summary chapter that talks about that God will choose Zion. And of course, that is the city of David.

That he will choose Judah because the Lord sprang out of Judah instead of Ephraim.

For the Lord had chosen Zion. He had desired it for his habitation. The Lord had chosen Zion, for he has chosen it for his habitation. Maybe I should turn to Psalm 78. Just read it. Two or three verses there. Psalm 78. Psalm 78, a great summary chapter about the history of Israel. It's ups and downs, how they would for a while repent and turn to God. And then they would go astray.

And they would go into captivity and back into...

In Psalm 78, we're breaking in on the thought to some degree, but the last few verses, it should be very clear to you. Verse 65, Then the Lord awake as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouts by reason of wine, and he smote his enemies in the hind parts, he put them to a perpetual reproach.

Moreover, he refused the tabernacle of Joseph.

The tabernacle of Joseph. Joseph and Ephraim are oftentimes used interchangeably. Remember that the birthright went to Ephraim. And when Israel came into the Promised Land, the tabernacle was pitched in Shiloh, which is in Ephraim.

But he's saying here that he chose not Joseph, and this is written as a poetic parallelism, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim. So it's not a descendant of Ephraim, but chose the tribe of Judah, the Mount Zion, which he loved. And he built his sanctuary like high places, like the earth, which is established forever. He chose David, also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds. From following the ewes great with young, he brought him to feed Jacob his people and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. See, this is picturing Jesus Christ coming in the church, and we'll show that as we go along here.

So Jesus is the descendant of David that will sit on the throne of David forever, of the fruit of his body, like we read Psalm 132, verse 11. Hebrews chapter 12, verses 22-23, says, You have come to the Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn. Thus Zion is symbolic of the church. Where does God dwell today? He dwells in the church. He dwells in each one of you. Now we go to Isaiah chapter 9, the scripture of the day in the bulletin, and the prophecy that would take place. How can you escape it? It is so plain. And then we'll read from the New Testament. In Isaiah chapter 9, verse 9, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.

And the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, of the increase of his government, and peace there shall be no end.

Could have a sermon about that we need to understand, but now is not the time.

Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment, and with justice from henceforth, even forever, thus the zeal of the host, the Lord of Hosts, will perform this. Now we go quickly to Luke chapter 1, verse 32. The angel comes to make the pronouncement about the birth of Jesus Christ. Of course, it has already been revealed to marry some of the things with regard to Jesus Christ.

In Luke chapter 1 and verse 32, well, let's start a little earlier.

In verse 26, in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee named Nazareth. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David.

And the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her and said, Hail, you are highly favored. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this is. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God, and behold, you shall conceive in your womb and bring forth a son. Bring forth, you now owe, give birth, and shall call his name Jesus.

He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the highest, and the eternal God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary, unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man.

I've never had intimate relations with a man. And here is this verse 35 is one of the most direct scripture, it is the most direct scripture, that talks about how this great miracle took place. And you could do it better if you had a diagram. If you have two beings living in eternity, they are co-eternal and they are co-essential of the same essence. The one who became Jesus Christ, the Word, gave up his glory, was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Exactly how that took place. This is the nearest description of it. Verse 35. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the highest shall overshadow you. Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God. So somehow the Father and the Word worked it out.

The Word was willing to give up his glory. Being in the form of God, I'm quoting from Philippians 2 or 6 now, by being in the form of God thought it not robbery a thing to be seized, to be equal with God, and took on the form of a man. How did it happen? The Son, the Father, some way the Son, the one who became the Son, submitted himself to the Father in a way that it was a begettle in the womb of Mary.

And then Jesus Christ was born. Never forget that John 1.14. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. And of course, the John 1.1. In the beginning was the Word showing existence. And the Word was with God showing relationship. They exist in eternity. And the Word was God showing identity that he was on the God plane.

In fact, his name. And you shall call him Emmanuel. I believe that's Matthew 1.23. Might be 21 or 22, but he shall be called Emmanuel.

But look at the verse 32 again. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the highest, and the Lord God shall give him the throne of his Father David.

Now we go to Acts 2 and verse 30. Acts 2 and verse 30. In Acts 2 and verse 30, of course, this is a record of the Holy Spirit coming upon the ones who are assembled there in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out and the New Covenant, New Church, began. We could call this the birthday of the church, the New Covenant church.

Three thousand souls were added. Peter preached this great sermon. We're breaking into the sermon. We'll start in verse 29. Acts 2 and 29. Man and brethren, let me speak freely unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. David is dead in his grave. It says later, David is not ascended into the heavens. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his loins, and we read it from Psalm 132, verse 11, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.

He, seeing this beforehand, spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that his life essence was not left in grave Hades, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus that God raised up were with your all-witnesses. Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has shed forth this, which you now see, and hear, for David is not ascended into the heavens.

But he said himself, the Lord said unto my Lord, sit you on my right hand till I make your enemies your foot still. I'm just hitting the highlight places. Now we go to Romans chapter 1, and we'll see when this act described in Luke 1.35 took place, and the logos was begotten into the womb of Mary, and eventually born.

In this state, he is the only begotten Son of God. He had to go through the whole process of living in the flesh, a sinless life, dying on the stake for the sins of humankind, being resurrected. See, he was in the flesh, and he had given up his glory, but not his divinity. He was still God, a member of the Godhead.

But when he died, he said, Father, into your hands, commend I you my Spirit. My life essence is now in your hands. And we have read many times that the Father was the one who resurrected him from the dead. Now we note this. Romans 1.1, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle separated into the gospel of God, which he had promised a four by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures concerning... So Paul starts off with this promise concerning the throne of David and of Jesus Christ. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead.

And we've already read Revelation 1.5 that Jesus Christ is the first born from the dead. And it is to spirit life. Some people apparently think that there will be two thrones of David. The Bible is clear that the promise made to David, the promises are fulfilled in Christ. Now we look back in Acts 13. Acts 13 is another great summary chapter of the Bible that here that's the apostle Paul instead of Peter, who essentially traces the history of Israel up to the time of Christ. And notice what he says about Christ.

In Acts 13, look at verse 26, For they that dwell at Jerusalem and their rulers, because they knew him not, not yet, the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. Of course, it was prophesied in Isaiah 53, which we read at Passover every year, that he would die for the sins of the world. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired the pilot that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled that which was written of him, they took him down from the tree, laid him in a sepulchre.

But God raised him from the dead. He didn't raise himself. And he was seen many days of them which came up from Galilee to Jerusalem. He was forty days off and on, appearing. Who are his witnesses unto the people? And we declare unto you glad tidings how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God has fulfilled the same unto us, their children, in that he has raised up Jesus again, as it is also written in the second psalm, You are my son, this day have I, Gennao, owe you.

The interesting thing about Gennao, when it's used as an act of the mother, it has to do with bringing forth. When it's used as an act of the father, it has to do with begetting. Well, with God, he's in both the God and the Father, he's in both roles. He begets us and he brings us forth. And so this is bringing forth. You are my son, this day have I, Gennao, owe you. I've brought you forth, I've raised you from the dead.

And it's concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption. He said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore, he said also in another psalm, you shall not suffer your holy one to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers and saw corruption. But he whom God raised again saw no corruption. So it should be clear regarding that Christ will be given a throne and he will sit upon his throne. At the present time, let's notice Hebrews 8.1, at the present time, Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of the Father on the Father's throne.

Hebrews 8.1. And there's more, this is not the only place. In Hebrews 8.1, now the things which we have spoken, this is the psalm.

We have such a high priest, and we talked about from Hebrews 4. Verses 14, 15, 16, we can come boldly before the throne, for we have such a high priest that cannot be touched with our infirmities. He can be touched because he's gone through it. Who is set on the right hand of the throne of the magisties in the heavens. So that's where Jesus Christ sits now. He has several roles. He's our high priest. He is the mediator of the New Covenant. He is our intercessor. And he is there on our behalf. You look at Hebrews 12.2. Hebrews 12.2. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sat down, it should be sat in the translation, is sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. It's very clear. But now, continue to look at Revelation chapter 3. So the title is, The Throne of God, The Throne of David, The Throne of the Lamb, and The Throne of the Saints. In Revelation chapter 3, Revelation chapter 3, the letter to the Laodiceans, not going to read all of it, will begin in verse 18. Revelation 3.18, I counsel you to buy me gold, tried in the fire, that you may be rich, and I'm sorry, I counsel you to buy me gold, tried in the fire, that you may be rich, and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness, nakedness depicts sin in the Bible, does not appear, and anoint your eyes with eyesave, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten, and be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will suck with him, and he with me. Of course, God has, through Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God, and the Word being preached has knocked on the door of many a person, through the hundreds of years, many a person.

So many people run away from the knock. They want to keep the truth of God at an arm's length. All they're sort of interested, and they might go to a sith-sayer to see if the hand isn't here.

Or to a fortune-teller of some sort. Or to consult their astrological chart, whatever it might be. And will not turn to God.

If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I'll come into him, and will suck with him, and he with me. To him that overcomes, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with my father in his throne.

So the son now sits at the right hand of the father on his throne. He is going, the son, is going to be given a throne, and we're to sit with him on his throne. To him that overcomes, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with my father in his throne.

And so the time is coming, in which we're all given thrones. We turn forward to Revelation.

Revelation chapter 22, we'll see this, that the Lamb has a throne.

Revelation 22.1, He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and the Lamb.

In the midst of the street of it, on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bear twelve men or fruit, yielded their fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. And His servant shall serve Him, and they shall see His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads. Now in Revelation 20 verse 4, the title once again, the throne of God, the throne of David, the throne of the Lamb, Lord Jesus Christ, and the throne of the saints. Revelation 20 in verse 4, And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them. And I saw the life essence of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, for the Word of God, which did not worship 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. I hope each one of us sit on one of those thrones.