Revelation 4:2-6 “Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. (3) And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. (4) Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. (5) And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (6) Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.”
At the very centre of the New Jerusalem, will be the throne of God, and because of its elevation within the city, His throne will be visible from every part of the city. The above passage of scripture, gives us a brief description of the throne of God and that which surrounds His throne, as it is currently in heaven, except for one missing detail. And that is the fact that our Lord Jesus is now seated on His throne at the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:2). As mentioned earlier in this series, currently there is a veil between God and the rest of His creation. But when God brings the New Jerusalem down from heaven, that veil will be removed, and we will see Him face to face. The sea of glass before the throne, as mentioned in this passage, is the area where God’s creation will gather to worship before Him, in the age to come.
Revelation 8:3-4 “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. (4) And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand.”
Another aspect of the area around the throne of God is the altar of God. The above passage describes the altar that stands in the presence of God. That same altar will continue to stand before God throughout eternity, and the prayers of the saints and the children of God, will continue to be offered on that altar before God, as incense.
Michael E.B. Maher
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