And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened. Then another book was opened — the Book of Life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. NIV Revelation 20:12
This week’s Greek word is thronos which means throne or seat. In the New Testament, thronos is found more than 60 times. More than half of these verses are found in Revelation.
I think of the song based on Revelation 5:13: Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” NIV Some versions use blessing for praise. Some use dominion instead of power. To Him who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and power forever. Amen
Can you imagine this? Every creature everywhere praising God. What a powerful, beautiful sound it must be. The joy that must be overwhelming. We can get a small taste of it here and there, but nothing like the joy to come. Our bodies and minds may not always feel ready for this, but our spirit yearns to praise God forever and ever.
Phillips, Craig & Dean sing a song called When The Stars Burn Down (Blessing and Honor). This song seemed very appropriate to the verses included here.
When the stars burn down
And the earth wears out
And we stand before the throne
With the witnesses
Who have gone before
We will rise and all applaud
(Chorus)
Singing blessing and honor
Glory and power
Forever to our God
Singing blessing and honor
And Glory and power
Forever to our God (end chorus)
When the hands of time wind fully down
And the earth is rolled up like a scroll
The trumpets will call
And the world will fall
To its knees as we go home
Chorus (x2)
Star of the morning
Light of salvation
Majesty
God of all mysteries
Lord of the universe
Righteous King
(x2)
There will come a day
Standing face to face
In a moment we will be like Him
He will wipe our eyes dry
Take us up to His side
And forever we will be His
Chorus
Hebrews 1:8 ESV But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.” (A scepter is a rod or staff.)
Matthew 19:28 ESV Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 25:31 NIV “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.”
Luke 1:52 NASB “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble.”
Acts 7:49 KJV Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool; what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
Hebrews 4:16 NIV Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Revelation 1:4 ESV John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,
Revelation 7:10 KJV And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Revelation 7:15-17 NIV Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'”
Revelation 16:17 NASB Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out from the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done.”
Revelation 19:4-5 ESV And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”
Revelation 21:3-5 NIV And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 22:1-3 NASB Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;
Other verses:
Matthew 5:34, 23:22
Luke 1:32, 22:30
Acts 2:30
Colossians 1:16
Hebrews 12:2
Revelation 2:13, 3:21, 4:3-10, 5:6-7, 5:11, 6:16, 11:16, 13:2, 20:4
The G/K number for thronos is 2585.
The Strong’s number for thronos is 2362.
