Dear Ones:
Times and civilizations come and go. Kingdoms rise and fall. But that which is consistently true of God never changes, in particular with respect to a throne in heaven. In the book of Isaiah, we find in chapter 6, the vision that Isaiah had of the Lord, and in particular, the throne upon which He sat. The account of this vision was written in the 8th century. When we come to the book of Ezekiel, written in the 6th century, we find also the account of visions that he had of God, and in particular a throne, with One sitting upon it. If we go to the Isle of Patmos at approximately 95 A.D., we find the apostle John in exile, but writing down the vision that God had given him. Again, one of the primary elements to this vision is the throne, which “….is set in heaven…and One sat on the throne.” (Rev. 4:2) Why do we have this particular revelation of that which is true in heaven? It is because it has a very real, and consequential effect on that which transpires on this earth. This is why the Lord Jesus will teach his disciples to pray: “…Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it IS in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10) He will continue on this subject by telling the disciples: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) And lastly, it is a very well-known fact that Jesus preached and taught concerning the “kingdom of God,” where He reigns, where His authority is absolute, and the revelation and expression of His power is only limited by His choice, in the world, among nations, and in our lives. Why the consideration of this “throne?” It is because of the necessity of understanding that His work, done in His way, in His time, will NEVER lack His supply.
In the economy and wisdom of God, we all have different callings, and gifts with respect to those callings. We know that, if we are to fulfill our calling, we must live by faith, for this is God’s way of supplying all that we need in Christ. But what is the key to receiving, and this, independently of circumstances, feelings, or even our “thoughts…ideas.?” The key is found in the word: AUTHORITY. Herein lies the key of being able to grasp something of the resources that we have in Christ, and the basis upon which we can confidently receive of God all that is needed.
When a centurion came to Jesus, because he had a servant who was “grievously tormented” because of sickness, Jesus told him that He would come and heal him. It is at this moment that the centurion opens our eyes to see how this issue of authority is so very important. He responds to the Lord Jesus by saying, “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, but SPEAK THE WORD ONLY, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me…I say to this man, Go, and he goeth…do this, and he doeth it.” (Matt. 8:6,9) We see here that in regard to authority (In the case of the centurion, a human authority), where there is the submission to that authority, there is the provision for the “doing” of the will of the person who has the authority. If we translate that into the spiritual realm, we see the parallel. Those who are submitted to the authority of Christ (The illustration of this is Christ Himself, submitted to the authority of His Father), there is ALL the resources in Christ for the doing of His will. One example of this is James instructing believers: “Submit yourselves therefore to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) The issue is this: God’s work done in God’s way, in His time, will never lack God’s supply, or provision, even if it means resisting the devil. This whole principle is based on the authority of God, as represented by the throne of God.
Dear Father, enable us to see Thee upon Thy throne this day, and to grasp the significance of Thy power and authority. Grant us Thy abounding grace to live submitted to Thy authority, KNOWING, and being fully persuaded, that Thou wilt supply every need through Thy riches in glory in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Love, Dad