J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH by John Norton Loughborough

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 2, 1910

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

By John Norton Loughborough

The Two Thrones—No. 1

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 3:21.

In this scripture we have two thrones introduced, and also two distinct times when these thrones are occupied by Christ. At the time when this revelation was made to John, Christ was seated upon the throne of the Father; and he speaks of the occupying of his own throne as an event still in the future,—“will grant to sit with me.” We will inquire, (1) What is comprehended in the two thrones? and (2) What is the nature of the work upon each of these thrones?

Of the position to which Christ was exalted when associated with his Father in the rule of the universe, we read: “He raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” Eph. 1:20, 21. Again the apostle says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil. 2:9-11.

The question now arises with reference to the length of time Christ occupies that position on the throne of the Father, and the nature of his special work while thus associate ruler with the Father. Of this we read a prediction in Ps. 110:1: “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Upon this text we have inspired comments in the New Testament. The first we will notice is Peter’s testimony on the day of Pentecost: “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:32-36. As Lord, he was an associate ruler upon his Father’s throne; as Christ, he was the Saviour of men.

Paul, in writing to the Hebrews, speaks thus of Christ at that time as seated on his Father’s throne: “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 set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:2. And again, “This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.” Heb. 10:12, 13. He is expecting what God promised should be at the end of his associate rule with his Father—the making of his enemies his footstool. Respecting this work of Christ when thus seated at the right hand of his Father, we read, “We have such an high priest, who is set at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” Heb. 8:1, 2.

This position of Christ upon the throne of the Father is clearly delineated in the prophecy of Zechariah. While Zerubbabel was engaged in the building of the temple of the Lord, how natural that his attention should be carried forward to the time when the true temple service should be accomplished by Christ. He expresses it in these words: “Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and 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 and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” Zech. 6:12, 13. The translators put this word Branch in large capitals, that we might know it was a divine personage. That Christ is the Branch, is made clear by other texts. See Isa. 11:1-4; Jer. 23:5, 6. In order to have a proper understanding

of the verses just quoted from Zechariah 6, it is of the utmost importance to understand what throne is meant. Some have contended that Christ’s own throne is referred to; and that when he begins his reign, and during the thousand years, there will still be a priestly work going on for the conversion of sinners. Let us analyze the text with the thought in mind that it is Christ’s own throne, and see how it will read: “And he [Christ] shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his [Christ’s] throne; and he [Christ] shall be a priest upon his [Christ’s] throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” It is thus made evident to all that there are two personages introduced in the text, the Father and the Son. Otherwise it would read, if all referred to Christ’s own throne, “Between him both.” Such a reading would not be allowable in any language.

Let us read the text again, with the idea of its predicting Christ’s position on his Father’s throne, and all is plain: “Even he [Christ] shall build the temple of the Lord; and he [Christ] shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his [the Father’s] throne; and he [Christ] shall be a priest upon his [the Father’s] throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them [the Father and the Son] both.” With this understanding, all is plain and clear.

Next week we will consider the termination of the priestly rule of Christ.

Lodi, Cal.