God's throne is described in many ways in Scripture - glorious, majestic and heavenly are words commonly used.
But the writer of Hebrews has another most interesting description, which we will consider here.
"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." [ Heb 4 : 16 ]
Firstly, it is a throne of grace that can be approached with confidence.
Most people would approach a throne with apprehension, even fear, as the one sitting on it would have great authority and wield enormous power.
If they were at odds with the monarch in any way or approach him without due respect for the proper protocol, they would expect judgement from the throne to be swift and severe.
But from this throne comes grace. This ruler radiates grace from his throne.
Confident that grace is his character, this throne can be approached boldly, with confidence, without hesitation.
Secondly, anyone coming to this throne will obtain mercy and find grace to help them in their time of need.
I approach God's throne frequently, seeking help in my many times of need.
I never stop to think should I, can I, have I been too often lately?
I am always welcome, I am always loved, accepted, understood and answered.
It couldn't be any other way since the throne's nature is grace.
Is this the picture of the throne of Almighty God that you have been given to understand?
Most of us were raised to think of God's throne as a throne of wrath and anger, severe judgement and everlasting punishment, not a throne of grace from which the God of perfect love rules?
With this understanding in view, why would anyone be apprehensive about an audience before God's throne? Any time - in this age or the next?
Blessings, Barry
I stumbled across this verse again today, and read the verses leading up to it as well.
ReplyDeleteHave a read of Hebrews 4 : 14 - 16 yourself.
These things popped out to me ....
1. We have a great high priest in heaven.
(The job of priests is two-way - to represent God before people and people before God.)
So we have Jesus, who represented God to us on earth, now in heaven representing us before God.
2. This high priest knows, from his own experience, how tough it is to live down here.
3. Because of this, we can be certain that our approaches to God's throne will be met with sympathy and understanding.
Wow! ! The marvel of it all.
Hope this blesses you like it blessed me.
Barry