The Throne of God!
The prophet Isaiah was among a privileged few who received a visionary glimpse of the Throne and glory of God.
There is no greater sight any of us will ever see. I know that all of humanity, past, present, and future will stand before God. I don’t know that all of us will stand before the Throne of God, and see his full glory. Most, if not all, will crumble and grovel in fear just at the sight of the creatures who stand guard. The sights, sounds, splendor, feel, and emotional experience will never be matched by an equal. I’m sure those who lived lives of rebellion against His Word will not enjoy their time there. God have mercy on us all! So thankful He does.
At the Throne of God:
We will experience the most the universe has to offer:
More…
- power
- beauty
- holiness
- wisdom
- mercy
- grace
- inspiration
- And God himself…The Most-High God, His Son Jesus, and the manifestation of the Seven-fold Spirit of God
In the Presence
Isaiah was brought into the presence of the Throne of God. It was a spiritual vision, not a physical journey.
He did not leave unimpressed. At one point the experience shattered him because of what and who he saw.
It was an image and experience he could not ever forget. Only a few in human history can say they know how he felt.
Fascinated but not obedient
The prophet was called to hear the Word of God and speak it to the nation of Israel. The Jewish nation would not listen much to his words. Perhaps they were fascinated by him. Maybe they were intrigued when he spoke of his experience before the Throne. It didn’t change them though like it did Isaiah. They certainly didn’t obey the Word of God that came from the prophet’s mouth. The resulting judgment serves as a lesson for any of us who make that same poor choice.
Atheists don’t believe in a throne or a God who can sit on it. They will not enjoy their trip to the heavenly seat of authority.
Agnostics don’t know if there is a throne or a God. They won’t question the greatest truth when it hits them hard on that day.
The Setting:
A great king had just died. Uzziah had reigned over the nation for a very long time. The Hebrews came to trust his guidance. They took comfort in the length and stability of his reign. The nation prospered under his rule. When he died the Israelites worried about the future. Enemies surrounded them. Their faith in God had grown weak because they didn’t practice their faith. Their lives were like many of us today. We live our lives separate from our once-a-week church life. The nation of Israel mourned the loss of their king but not many mourned the loss of their connection to God. They weren’t sure if they could trust the new occupant of the throne Uzziah had left vacant. God–He was still where He had always been.
The Throne of God will never be empty.
The fear and uncertainty the Jews felt when king Uzziah died are common among nations and throughout history. Even if a leader is terrible, the uncertainty of the ‘new king’ or ‘new queen’ causes fear and doubt. (Historical evidence of Uzziah)
The Prophet’s Vision
Isaiah 6:1
In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Isaiah 6:2
Above it stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with twain, he covered his face, and with twain, he covered his feet, and with twain, he did fly.
Isaiah 6:3
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isaiah 6:4
And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Isaiah 6:5
Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Isaiah 6:6
Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Isaiah 6:7
And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
Isaiah 6:8
Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Isaiah 6:9
And he said, Go, and tell these people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Isaiah 6:10
Make the heart of these people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Isaiah 6:11
Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered Until the cities are wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man and the land be utterly desolate,
Isaiah 6:12
And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
Isaiah 6:13
But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
The Lord asked for volunteers!
The Lord stated a simple question: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” The question was general but it was really directed at the trembling and humbled prophet.
He raised his hand and accepted the call. Great move on his part.
He would not be able to claim great successes though. Isaiah asked God, ‘how long shall I preach?’
The answer was not what a minister wants to hear.
Keep preaching:
“Keep preaching till the cities are laid waste, houses are vacant and the land is utterly desolate.”
Isaiah did keep preaching. There were no cheering crowds, no great revival meetings, and of course no acclaim from the media.
He was successful in the eyes of the One who sits on the Throne.
That’s all that matters.
What is the stone?
Find out here.
Let me know what you think.