(study notes)-The Throne of God CHAPTER 3 (by G.Thomas Windsor ) When God allowed his throne to be seen ,there came a message concerning his kingship and his kingdom . We can now go back and examine each narrative in more detail and see what that message was and how God sent his messengers, for this is the very purpose of the visions . When we look at all the visions and compare them, a pattern starts to emerge and there is a lesson even in the pattern. We will look at each passage with the following three points: the throne, the messenger, and the message. MOSES According to ancient history , Moses may have been the first person who saw the throne and the cherubim. It is worth mentioning as it relates to the larger " picture. " It is a beginning point. In the book of Exodus Moses went up to Mount Sinai. The Lord visited him in a glory cloud of fire and smoke. Amidst thunder and lightning Moses, Aaron and the elders ...." saw the God of Israel; there was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone like the very heaven for clearness" (Ex.24.) The mountain is where the Lord gave Moses all the Law and instructions on the building of the sanctuary. God also sent Moses with all the commands for the people to be diligently kept. The Two Tablets with all their blessing and curses were placed in the Ark of the covenant . God sent his messenger to show his people his will. We know from the scripture what happened after that and how God's people constantly went astray after other gods. Then Lord would send the chastisements and judgements spoken in the Law in order to correct and bring them back to him . In spite of the intial fear the people had in God's revelation of himself on the mountain, they soon forgot . MICAIAH In the years that followed, God often dealt with the kings of Israel and Judah. In the book of 1st Kings we read of how the prophet Micaiah was summoned before the kings Ahab and Jehosaphat (1 KINGs 22. ) The two kings were seated on their thrones in all their glory as they summoned the prophets. First they heard from all the false prophets. Then Micaiah stood before the kings and said "hear the word of the Lord; I saw the Lord sitting upon his throne and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left." The Lord then said , " Who will entice Ahab that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead ?" [ 1king.22-19 ] Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord saying "I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. " Then the Lord said "you are to entice him, and you shall succeed, go out and do it. So you see the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; for the Lord has decreed disaster for you." ( v-22,23.) Aside from a warning to Ahab, this message probably was spoken as an example for the others who heard and could see the prophecy fulfilled on Ahab. The prophet Micaiah was addressing two kings that had gone out of the will of the Lord. They were inquiring of the prophet for confirmation on a military pursuit. The false prophets were speaking smooth things and tales of victory. Micaiah describes a throne with celestial beings surrounding it and then a conversation takes place. Here God is not only revealing his throne, but again letting Micaiah hear the dialogue of the Lord . The Lord Sent King Ahab was one of the most wicked kings ;"There was none who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab "(1KNg.21.25) God was warning him , yet he hardened his heart refusing to listen to the prophet Micaiah. The Lord then sent a lying spirit. This is a difficult concept for many as it seems to be the opposite of what we usually undestand God's nature to be. ( God speaks and brings forth truth and light.) Why would God do this ? Another important aspect of God's nature is that of Justice. In that justice people reap what they sow. God was gracious earlier and he even warned him in the vision of what would happen. After a person persistently refuses him God gives them up to their own devices. If they refuse the truth he gives a delusion and can send calamity (2 Thess.) Ahab believed what the false prophets said and rejected what the Lord's prophet had said. Ahab actually tried to evade God's prophecy (disguised himself ) to no avail . He died in the battle. The Lord the King showed himself to those earthly kings who rebelled against him, in order that others would learn and fear him . God removes kings and sets up kings (Dan.4 )and no plan can prevail against him. Upon God's throne he hardens the heart of whom he wills and has mercy on whom he wills and none can rightly question his descision. Because of his holiness and purity God acts. He rules over the kingdom of men . JUSTICE OF GOD All of God's ways are just (refs .) It is written , "Righteousness and justice ..are the foundation of thy throne... ( psm -89.) He shows no partiality and gives to each what they deserve (ref.) This leads us to one of the ultimate purposes of the throne. David declared this when he wrote, "He has established his throne for judgment and he judges the world with righteousness, he judges the peoples with equity " ( psm-9.) His throne is the place where he holds all to account . Yet even in his judgment on Ahab we can see grace. He actually received less than he deserved, for God had given him another chance. (1Kings21.) ISAIAH ( to be continued ) INTRODUCTION · CHAPTER 1 · CHAPTER 2 · CHAPTER 3 · HOME