(study notes)The Throne of God- CHAPTER TWO God allowed himself to be seen and he was seen upon a throne . What was the purpose in the Lord manifesting himself this way? We could suppose that Gods' spoken word would have been enough,without these visible images ,but God desired that he be viewed in this way . There is a similarity to these accounts .; The Lord is "seen " upon his throne by those who proclaim his word . He reveals himself to the prophets . Moses, Isaiah, Micaih ,Ezekiel,Daniel and John; were all prophets of God . This is the starting point in the larger view. GODS MESSENGERS REVEAL In these cases , a prophet was one who heard the word of the Lord or who had been in His presence or counsel. Each of these men experienced Gods manifestation . Their eyes were opened to things few had ever seen . It wasn't simply for thier edification , but was given so that others might hear. What are the implications for us ? We all have had to some degree a revelation and that has a purpose , each is entrusted with gifts from the Father . God also at times gives a greater or unique sight to certain others . He gives this manifestation so that we can learn It is written "The Lord does nothing without first revealing it to his servants the prophets..(Hos..) This provides a key in understanding what the God's throne is all about ,for from it ,the Lord sends his word THE INVISIBLE The Lord is the one who makes known what is hidden . Without this revelation they would have been invisible . As noted earlier throughout much of the Old Testament , Gods appearance was shrouded in a cloud or pillar of fire or behind the curtain . Yet these men saw his appearance or some sort manifestation thereof . The Lord at times hid himself , indeed he couldn't be seen . Human eyes simply cant behold him ;( his very nature is different ). Our eyes behold reflections of the visible spectrum of light ;but the invisible spiritual realm can only be seen with the spirit of the Lord Ezekiel records "The heavens were opened and I saw visions of God; in a similar way John writes "I looked and behold in heaven an open Door ". We construct doors to separate what is public from the private . Gods nature is that he is a God of revelation . His desire is that we know him . But He is also holy and exclusive and doesn't reveal himself to the proud or hard of heart,but to the humble and those who take his word seruiosly. REVEALED WITH IMAGERY What most never beheld ,the prophets beheld with wonder . These visions reached to the edge of description ; the imagery used was often difficult to understand . They are still shrouded in mystery even after being described,it was truly awesome. Yet,the metaphors and figures are often revealed by an understanding of how the rest of scripture uses them , The Lord has given us a means of understanding "his language". These things are but shadows and types of the true heavenly reality ( ref .Hebrews) Symbols and words represent concepts and if we understanding the imagery,we can then understand its deeper meanings . THE STORM CLOUD For instance , In Ezekiel, the vision comes out of a storm cloud and whirlwind. We read of strange angelic beings (the cherubim ) with wheels beside them making up a chariot throne.( of which we shall explain in more detail later ) This cloud has relevance , for often the Lord would appear and manifest himself in a glory cloud,as noted earlier. This was sometimes referred to as The SHEKINA Glory (refs .) The Lord spoke on mount Sinai out of such a cloud. In the Tent of Meeting and later in the Temple at Jerusalem ,a cloud would signify his presence . Also in a related way , throughout the Old Testament the Lord's presence would be made manifest in a kind of " storm theophany " (CITE ) We read throughout scripture ,of thunder reminiscent of his voice and lightning pointing to his exposing of the darkness and the radiance of his presence ( refs ). The storm and the whirlwind and hail are figurative of his judgments and power (refs) Imagery Another one of the images described around the throne ,are in the mentioning of gemstones . The writer describes this awesome throne with the appearance of radiant gemstones. Ezekiels sapphire (deep blue color) throne was like the color of the heavens.(similar to Moses description (Ex .24)). The Lord rules over all of the heavens,His kingdom . The thrones are also seen at times as being like jasper and carnelian ( yellow and red colored minerals )(ref.Rev.) This could be similar in appearance to the fiery throne and the burnished bronze mentioned in the other visions. We also read of fire itself surrounding and coming forth from the throne . Ezkeil 1 and Dan 7-"the fiery throne") This referencing his purity ,his cleansing and his judgments . The cherubim were seen as coming out of the fire and the word seraphim means "burning one ". In Daniels acccount a river of fire comes forth from the throne. Host of HEAVEN There are many beings described in the heavenly realm and surrounding the throne. All of his creationed being bear witness and declare something of him. We read of this heavenly host (angels) in the passages , as well as the Cherubim and seraphim.. When Micaiah first describes this throne ,he relates of seeing the host of heaven( a great multitude ) standing at both his sides. they are seen at God's attendance (like the seraphim in Isaiah's vision ); They are standing while the Lord is seated . He is at the center of this vision . In Micaiahs vision the Lord is seated as all wait to serve and go forth to do his will . The Lord is in complete control as he initiates this dialogue and decides who will go. . Daniel speaks of a great multitude looking upon the throne . They ,like the " heavenly host " of Micaiahs vision stand in attendance .The term "Lord of hosts "is also associated with the armies of heaven. Their number is staggering . It means a million in attendance, although it could be speaking of a large number in general . Daniel witnessed this glorious burning throne as the angelic servants waited upon the Most High King . Both Isaiah and John record the chant of the heavenly beings of the attribute of God (his holiness). The Lord revealed and the prophets heard and recorded for us . There is the visual as well as the audible i.e,the thunder ,the rumbling of the wheels and the wings of the cherubim .(ref) Both go beyond our natural minds . CHERUBIM /SERAPHIM - His guardians It is helpful to have some understanding of these cherubim as they are an integral part of this vision and so closely associated with this throne . These angelic servants are identified as the The living creatures,in Ezekeil and Revelation and we further read the Lord is enthroned upon them .(ref.EZ 10.15) The word cherubim is actually the plural of" cherub." The word cherub can bring to mind art works with babies flying around in the clouds and so forth. But scripture "paints" a very different picture ,one in which these creations ,are terrifying angelic beings associated with the sacred , the revered and take part in Gods punishment of the wicked .( ref) Earlier in Isaiahs vision , the seraphim were above the throne . In this passage the cherubim are underneath it. This narrative brings many questions to mind . What is it about the cherubim and also the seraphim ,that they should occupy that place of close proximity to the throne ? Historically, the Israelites viewed them as both symbolically covering and protected that which is Holy . Images of these creatures where sewn on the veils and curtains the Tabernacle and Solomon's temple. In ancient Israel the representations of cherubim were only seen once a year as the high priest went into the most holy place. The Lord said that he would speak to them between the cherubim at the ARK of the Covenant . ( ref) The Lord said " There I will meet with you from above the mercy seat ,from between the two cherubim that are upon the ark of the testimony ,I will speak with you ..." (Ex-25-22) The Lord chose the place to speak with them ; between the cherubim. The cherubim covering the Ark were though of as a visible pedestal for the invisible throne of God;the mercy seat (N.B.D.) In the Old testament ,the people of Israel would at times refer to the Lord as being enthroned above the cherubim.(2sam6-2,psm80-1,) . Isaiah in his cry for deliverance prayed , " O Lord of Hosts ,the God of Israel ,Who art enthroned above the cherubim ,thou art God , thou alone, of all the kingdoms of this earth... (IS-36) Chariot throne The ancient Hebrews though of this as a "chariot throne " and various other scriptures allude to this (cite -N.B.D.) ( The Cherubim in Solomon temple were identified as - the golden chariot of the cherubim "- 1 Chron 28.18). In the Apocryphal writings is a quotation " It was Ezekiel who saw the vision of glory ,which God showed him above the chariot of the cherubim ." (Sirach 49.8 NRSV ) This was though to to be the "vehicle "on which God rode in the heavens;(Psm 18.10 ) Gods messengers also were though of as riding in chariots . (Psm 68)(Is66)Hab 3) The chariot in the days of the prophets was the vehicle for military swiftness and strength, a vehicle for rulers . Its presence in the visions serves a reminder of Gods dominion and triumph over those those would oppose him. ( Note : A fuller meaning of the cherubim and the wheels of the throne are explored in more detail in the writing " The Wheels of the throne and the Cherubim ) In the visions the prophets beheld not the representations ,but the actual living cherubim (creatures )underneath the throne of glory and they proclaimed message of the Lord Holiness, his "separateness" as we shall examine in more detail later  ALL SEEING We should note that that cherubim beneath the throne were full of eyes ,probably representative of the truth that The Lord sees all. The Lord knew all that was going on in the earthly realm ,along with all the motives and intentions of those involved .,Its written "From where he sits enthroned he looks on all the inhabitants of the Earth 'He fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds (psm 33 ) - A HOLY separation The Firmament/SEPARATION John also wrote of what looked like a sea of crystal in front of it .( like the firmament of crystal beheld by Ezekiel ). Because of this imagery ,we could imagine the Lord looking through this transparent firmament ,(a dome ) down on the inhabitants of earth from his holy dwelling. (Psm. ) ( like the firmament made to separate the heavens at Creation .) (Gen 1). A firmament of separation to the holy dwelling of God. The RAINBOW There was also a rainbow rounding this throne and encircling the throne In Johns and Ezekiels vision. Again we note the flashes of lightning and peals of thunder . When Ezekiel saw this appearance of the glory of the Lord he fell on his face . Even before a word is spoken he is overwhelmed ,like Isaiah, by this glorious luminescence. Ezekiel notes seeing a some thing like a rainbow . This being reminiscent of Gods reassuring covenant after the Flood .(Gen.-6)and of future grace . If it weren't for this covenant , no one would have survived to this time . All of this imagery ,shadows and types leads us to an unfolding of what the Lord had to say .The prophets spoke of the scrolls and the books being opened. At the throne we see a message coming forth , both spoken and written ,both to the world and to all Gods people.

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