And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Immediately John was in the Spirit, resting under the Holy Spirit and strengthened to live in the presence of his glorified Lord. Through a door opened in heaven he was called to look beyond the conflicts of earth upon the things which shall be hereafter. The throne of God was opened before his enraptured vision in glories and anthems of joy resounding through the heavenly courts.
The vision was given about half a century after Jesus ascended to present His church before God and to prepare mansions for His faithful ones. He still loved His people, and He came to His aged servant to reveal the future. A throne was set in heaven with God seated upon it, appearing like jasper and sardine stone.
Around Him are ministering angels waiting eager to do His will, and worshipers above. The opened sight includes the glories of heaven, the music of the heavenly angels, the white-robed throng of the redeemed, and the triumphant songs of those who overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Encircling the throne on high is the rainbow of God's promise and covenant with Noah. It is a token and pledge of mercy toward every repentant believing sinner, an everlasting testimony that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that all who believe should have everlasting life.
The rainbow is in sight like an emerald and overarches the head of Christ. When human wickedness invites divine judgments, Christ interceding with the Father on behalf of humanity points to the bow in the clouds and to the rainbow around the throne and above His own head as assurance of mercy. By it He declares to the whole world that God will never forget His people in their struggle with evil. The throne vision begins a revelation in figures and symbols, unfolding scene after scene of thrilling interest concerning the experience of God's people.
It foretells the history of the church to the very close of time and reveals God's plans for future ages. It was given so that God's people in John's age and in future ages may have an intelligent understanding of the perils and conflicts before them. It stirs them with longing to stand with the redeemed in the presence of God. Believers on earth who assemble together as active workers in meetings for prayer and praise come near to the heavenly worshipers around God's throne. Those who feel they have no time for religious services and absent themselves lay off their spiritual garments and miss that nearness, and therefore reflect only feebly the light and glory of God.
Immediately John was in the Spirit, resting under the Holy Spirit and strengthened to live in the presence of his glorified Lord. Through a door opened in heaven he was called to look beyond the conflicts of earth upon the things which shall be hereafter. The throne of God was opened before his enraptured vision in glories and anthems of joy resounding through the heavenly courts.
The vision was given about half a century after Jesus ascended to present His church before God and to prepare mansions for His faithful ones. He still loved His people, and He came to His aged servant to reveal the future. A throne was set in heaven with God seated upon it, appearing like jasper and sardine stone.
Around Him are ministering angels waiting eager to do His will, and worshipers above. The opened sight includes the glories of heaven, the music of the heavenly angels, the white-robed throng of the redeemed, and the triumphant songs of those who overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Encircling the throne on high is the rainbow of God's promise and covenant with Noah. It is a token and pledge of mercy toward every repentant believing sinner, an everlasting testimony that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that all who believe should have everlasting life.
The rainbow is in sight like an emerald and overarches the head of Christ. When human wickedness invites divine judgments, Christ interceding with the Father on behalf of humanity points to the bow in the clouds and to the rainbow around the throne and above His own head as assurance of mercy. By it He declares to the whole world that God will never forget His people in their struggle with evil. The throne vision begins a revelation in figures and symbols, unfolding scene after scene of thrilling interest concerning the experience of God's people.
It foretells the history of the church to the very close of time and reveals God's plans for future ages. It was given so that God's people in John's age and in future ages may have an intelligent understanding of the perils and conflicts before them. It stirs them with longing to stand with the redeemed in the presence of God. Believers on earth who assemble together as active workers in meetings for prayer and praise come near to the heavenly worshipers around God's throne. Those who feel they have no time for religious services and absent themselves lay off their spiritual garments and miss that nearness, and therefore reflect only feebly the light and glory of God.