Let us then approach the throne with confidence,

So that we may receive mercy and

Find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

I don’t know if God literally has a throne, but there are different descriptions of the throne room in the Bible. Mechaiah, a true prophet, saw the Lord sitting on His throne with angels all around Him (1 Kings 22:19). When Isaiah saw the Lord, He was sitting on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple. The Seraphim were above him calling to each other, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is filled with His glory! (Is. 6:1-3). Ezekiel saw a throne that had the appearance of sapphire stone and on the throne was a figure that resembled a man. From His waist up, He looked like gleaming amber. From His waist down, He looked like a burning flame that was shining with splendor. All around Him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining through the clouds on a rainy day (Ez.1:26-28). Daniel had a vision where he watched thrones being put in place and saw God, the Ancient of Days, sit down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, and His hair like the purest of wools. His throne was fiery with wheels of blazing fire and a river of fire pouring out, flowing from His presence. There were millions of angels ministering to Him (Dan. 7:9-10). John also saw the throne room in a vision. He saw a door opened in heaven and heard a voice calling him to come on up. Instantly he saw One sitting on a throne. The One sitting had the appearance of a jasper and carnelian gemstone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald circled around the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four thrones with twenty-four elders sitting on them. From the throne came flashes of lightning and sounds of thunder. Seven lamps of fire were in front of the throne. Also in front of the throne was a sea that looked like glass and was as clear as crystal. It goes on to describe four living creatures that were in the center around the throne. All day and night they were saying, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” Each time they said this, the elders fell down in worship saying, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Rev. 4:1-11).

That is quite the imagery. You can see why Isaiah felt unworthy (Is. 6:5) and Ezekiel fell face down (Ez. 1:28). Daniel was troubled by all he had seen (Dan. 7:15). Although John doesn’t tell us his reaction, we can assume he felt something. The throne room is absolutely beautiful. The throne room is holy; a place where no sin dwells. So when and how did it become a throne of grace that we can we come to with confidence?

When Jesus died on the cross and shed His perfect blood, He became our Savior. God said anyone who accepted Jesus as Savior would be declared holy and righteous. When Jesus rose again and ascended back to heaven, He sat down at the right hand of God. Jesus is Our High Priest and His sacrifice for our sins is good for all time as opposed to the priests who had to make sacrifices continually for the sins of the people.

Therefore God says we can come to His throne with confidence whenever we want to receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4:16) because we have accepted Jesus as our Savior by faith and been declared righteous (Rom. 5:1). And again He tells us we can enter the Most Holy Place boldly because of Jesus’ blood that was shed…we can enter with sincere hearts that trust Him fully (Heb. 10:19-22). There we will not be condemned or feel shame.

He says, “My throne room is a beautiful and holy place, but as My child, you too are holy and I invite you to come any time you want. Are you thirsty? Are you hurting? Do you need comfort? Help? Do you know heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool (Isaiah 66:1)? I open the heavens and come near to you when you humble yourself and draw near to Me (James 4:7-8). I bring heaven with Me. At My throne, you are safe and you can talk to me about anything. You can even sit in My lap because as Your Father, I love to comfort you and be close. My lap is a place of safety. You can fall down and worship Me or sing praises to Me because I am worthy. You can reflect My glory (2 Cor. 3:18) and worship me at My footstool (Psalm 132:7). You can lay down your problems and let me bear them for you (Mt. 11:28). In return I will give you comfort, rest, peace, joy, and grace. I have many gifts I want to give you in exchange of your burdens.

Again, I don’t know if God has a real throne, but it allows us to use our imagination which is given to us by God, to picture Him in all His glory and to picture Him as our Father who loves to comfort us and give us grace. It allows us to see Jesus and know He is the reason we are able to be in the Father’s presence. It helps us to know that we are loved and have a place of safety to run to (Prov. 18:10).

So don’t try to bear the burden of having a prodigal alone. Run to the throne room (which is being in God’s presence) with confidence knowing that Your Father is waiting. Exchange your burdens for something He wants to give you.

I have pictured myself standing at God’s throne (it has never looked quite like what is described in Scripture though). Sometimes I sing Him a song of praise and sometimes I am throw my burdens at Jesus’ feet. I have climbed up on the Father’s lap and I have knelt down before Him. I always feel safe. He always gives me something…comfort, rest, peace, joy, grace, hope…whatever it is that I need.