God is on the Throne

Revelation 4:1-2 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things." 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.
 
It can be quite depressing reading the news. As the Bible says, we live in dangerous times. The world is full of wars and rumours of wars, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, human tragedy, etc. At the same time, we face daily challenges in our personal life.  
 
The message we need to remember is this: God is on the throne and He is in control!
 
What throne? Throne of the universe, the seat of His rule and reign over all creation.
 
A clear and certain vision of the Lord keeps us in the faith.
 
Revelation 2-3 speak of the Condition of the Church:

•          Ephesus has lost her first love
•          Pergamos had false doctrines
•          Thyatira tolerated Jezebel
•          Sardis was a dead church
•          Laodicea was neither hot nor cold

 
Christ had no complaint about the church at Smyrna and Philadelphia. What kind of churches were they? Smyrna was severely persecuted and poor, while Philadelphia had very little strength. But both were incredibly faithful to the Lord!
 
John wasn't discouraged by what he saw in the Church, because he first saw the Head of the Church.
 
Chapters 2-3 speak of the Condition of the Church, but Chapter 1 reveals the Glory of the Risen Christ. He is in control over His church.
 
JESUS IS ALIVE and He is in Control!
 
Revelation 6-20 speak of the Endtime Events on Earth: Rise of anti-Christ, 7 years tribulation, disasters, judgment, etc.
 
John wasn't fearful of what he saw in the endtime, because he first saw the Lord on His throne. Today, He is still in control over your life.
 
Chapters 6-20 speak of the Endtime Events on Earth, but Chapters 4-5 reveal the Eternal One of Heaven.
 
GOD IS ON THE THRONE and He is in Control!
 
Listen to this truth: God is on the throne means that no one else is - not the devil, not us, but Him and Him alone!
 
The devil is not in charge, God is. Therefore, be encouraged!
 
Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
 
God is on the throne and the devil is under your feet.
 
The question is, who is seating on the throne of your life? 
 
Beware of the great sIn of prIde. It's the big "I" that leads to all kinds of disobedience and even rebellion against God.
 
Romans 11:22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God.
 
Don't ever forget that God the Savior is also God the Judge. 
 
Do you want to come to the throne of grace or to the throne of judgement?
 
Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
 
Whosoever will may come to His throne of grace. But be careful, that you don't get caught up in the daily grinding of life, become so busy that you neglected to come.
 
In Revelation 1, John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day: He heard (v.10), he turned in response (v.12), he saw the Lord (v.13-16), and he fell down as though dead (v.17). 
 
In Revelation 4, John saw an open door (v.1), he heard the invitation to come up higher (v.1), he was in the Spirit (v.2), and he saw the Lord on His throne.
 
Come up higher!