Why do we build a throne for God?
Gold
Frankincense
Myrrh
with good reason.
First of all, he /they received it for practical reasons, as the family had to flee to Egypt immediately, and that is a huge undertaking even for a relatively well-off family. The journey and the completely new environment demanded a whole new way of life and genuine faith.*
A carpenter obviously found work in Egypt too, but for an entire family, this whole transition was not quite so straightforward. Women were not part of the breadwinning class, and raising children in safety and peace is not possible without a stable foundation.
Secondly, these gifts came from a spiritual source (from the Magii) where people who were far from God and His covenant openly recognised that a ruler — greater than any earthly power — had come to earth. This indirectly pointed to the ripple Jesus caused in the spiritual world! A king arrived at that time — but what a king!
He receives gold as a mark of reverence, befitting a king. He receives frankincense as a priest (High Priest). Myrrh is given to him, which in those days was a staple of prophets (and mystic seers), and whose psychedelic effects aided in revelation. (The wise men had obviously not heard that Israel’s ‘seers’ communicated through the Holy Spirit.) From this, the significance of myrrh becomes clear.
The ripple of the Glory
We often sing:
"Jesus, we enthrone you..
And as we worship fill the throne
Come lord Jesus and take your place"
Don Moen — Jesus, we enthrone you
However, we are moving beyond the beautiful and emotionally charged melodies of the 1980s and 1990s. These moments at the Fin de siècle and the Turn of this century served as a genuine source of inspiration for many generations. Yet The Worship is not merely a product of the moment, nor is it confined to a specific festive aspect of Christian culture.
And as we worship fill the throne
Come lord Jesus and take your place"
Don Moen — Jesus, we enthrone you
Their followers were no exception. But. After the Pentecost They were so immersed in the Holy Spirit that they attracted hundreds and triggered a nervous, later furious reaction from the Roman Empire. The Great Empire, a laid-back, purposeless, and utterly carnal domain, felt the fearful touch of the Holy. It reacted immediately.
Who is in the heaven
Our Father in heaven,
Your name be honored as holy.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Mt 6:9-10
Mt 6:33
(Holman CSB)
In heaven, God reigns and sits on His throne, where there is true righteousness and holiness, and where God’s reality, justice and beauty are present in a tangible, perceptible form. He is not merely a god {with certain function} amongst some group of supernatural beings. Your name be honored as holy.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Mt 6:9-10
Mt 6:33
(Holman CSB)
Weaver bird meditation
We’ll explore the topic in depth, and I suggest that the reader reflect on each chapter. There will be repetitions; this is part of the learning process. It’s no coincidence, then, if you come across them. You may well see things in a new light. That is my hope. I shall be a weaver bird, crafting a safe nest, a good haven for your faith from interwoven leaves.Our starting point is the Throne — and if You succeed, this is exactly where you will return to when you reflect personally and ask for Christ’s help along the way.
Starting Point — The Throne and its surroundings
God is, therefore, the one true Living God, possessing true, living and effective power. As King, He reigns over the heavenly powers and the forces that carry out His will. We read of hosts of angels and of the glorious service of beings — unimaginable to us — such as the seraphim.
Seraphim were standing above Him; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
Isa 6:2
Isa 6:2
Reflexion: something about their wings
Two are used to cover the face: out of reverence for God’s glory and holiness.
Two are used to cover the feet: as a sign of humility, or to conceal mundane, earthly matters.
Two are for flying: this can have several meanings:
On the one hand, it expresses swift, unhindered movement: for the immediate fulfilment of God’s will.
On the other hand, according to the text’s implication: they were floating. This, in turn, points to a heavenly identity.
The closest parallel to Isaiah’s vision is found in Ezekiel 1 and in the New Testament, the vision of the Apostle John in Revelation 4:8.
Two are used to cover the face: out of reverence for God’s glory and holiness.
Two are used to cover the feet: as a sign of humility, or to conceal mundane, earthly matters.
Two are for flying: this can have several meanings:
On the one hand, it expresses swift, unhindered movement: for the immediate fulfilment of God’s will.
On the other hand, according to the text’s implication: they were floating. This, in turn, points to a heavenly identity.
“And the four living creatures, each had six wings, and they were covered with eyes all round, inside and out. Day and night, without ceasing, they cried out:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come!’”
The main characteristics of the creatures, as described in Revelation 4:6–8, are stated in various ways:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come!’”
We see four different faces: The first living creature resembles a lion, the second a calf, the third a man, and the fourth a flying eagle* (Rev 4:7). The multitude of eyes is remarkable: they are filled with complete eyes not only on the outside but also on the inside, beneath their wings, symbolising perfect vigilance and omniscience. (One of God’s names: ‘The One Who Sees’) which symbolises all-seeing and vigilance, reflecting God’s all-seeing and all-knowing nature.
*The connection between the four living creatures (Ezekiel 1; Revelation 4) and the four evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) exists in (Catholic) Christian tradition, but it is not taught explicitly in Scripture. It is a post‑biblical, interpretation, not a biblical command or apostolic teaching. According to the beliefs of the early Christians, there is no such vision.
In Revelation 4, the same four creatures again symbolize the highest excellence of creation—wild animals, domestic animals, birds, and mankind—worshipping before God.
... coming soon..
In Revelation 4, the same four creatures again symbolize the highest excellence of creation—wild animals, domestic animals, birds, and mankind—worshipping before God.
HU
