Scripture Reading: Ezek. 1:26-28; Rev. 4:2; 1 Kings 22:19; Isa. 6:1; Dan. 7:9-10
Ⅰ
We need a vision of God's sovereignty—Dan. 7:9-10; 4:25-26, 34-35, 37:
A
Sovereignty refers to God's unlimited authority and power—1 Chron. 29:10-12.
B
As the sovereign One, God is above everything, behind everything, and in everything—1 Kings 22:19.
C
God has the full capacity to carry out what He wants according to the desire of His heart and according to His eternal economy—Rev. 4:11; Dan. 4:35; Rom. 9:19-24.
Ⅱ
We need a vision of the throne of God for the divine administration throughout the universe—Rev. 4:2; 5:1; 6:16; 7:9; 8:3; 21:5:
A
The book of Revelation unveils God's universal administration; this book reveals that the universe operates according to God's administration—4:2, 5.
B
The throne in Revelation 4 and 5 is the throne of divine authority:
１
God's throne is related to His administration, which is a matter of His economy—Eph. 1:10; 3:9.
２
God on the throne is behind the scene ruling over everyone and everything—Isa. 6:1; 1 Kings 22:19.
３
Everything in the world situation is decided on the throne; nothing can happen outside the rule of God's throne—Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6; Luke 22:31-32.
Ⅲ
The highest point in our spiritual experience is having a clear sky with the throne above it—Ezek. 1:26-28:
A
The throne is the center of the universe, and it is where God is—Rev. 4:2:
１
The Lord's presence is always with the throne and can never be separated from the throne.
２
The Lord's throne is not only in the third heaven but also in our spirit; therefore, the Lord's throne is always with us—Heb. 4:12, 16.
B
If we have a clear sky, the throne will be present, and we will spontaneously be under the ruling and reigning of the throne.
C
For God to have the throne in us means that He has the position to reign in us.
D
To have the throne above a clear sky is to allow God to have the highest and most prominent position in our Christian life.
E
In our spiritual experience, to reach the point of having the throne above a clear sky means that in everything we are submissive to God's authority.
F
The clearer our sky is, the more we are under the throne.
G
Today there are not many believers who are living completely under the ruling of God:
１
The goal of dealing with the conscience is to recover us from human rule through self-rule to God's rule that we may be directly under His control.
２
In His complete salvation, God desires to recover us to divine rule so that we may live before God in simplicity and under His direct authority.
３
To be under God's rule means that we live by the intuition of the spirit.
４
The more we are ruled by God, the more noble we become.
Ⅳ
The throne is not only for God to reign over us but also for God to accomplish His eternal purpose—Rev. 4:11; Rom. 8:28; Eph. 1:9, 11; 3:11:
A
God is a God of purpose, having a will according to His good pleasure—1:5, 9.
B
In His economy God administrates the universe to fulfill His purpose—Rev. 4:11.
C
If we have a throne in our spiritual life, God will not only rule over us but will also fulfill His purpose in us, with us, and through us—2 Tim. 1:9.
D
If we want God's purpose and plan to be carried out in us and with us, we must submit to the throne.
Ⅴ
The only authority in the church is the throne above the clear sky—Matt. 28:18-19; 20:20-28:
A
In the church there is no human authority—23:11; 20:25-27.
B
Instead of trying to rule over others, we should humble ourselves and remain under the throne in the clear sky.
C
If we are under a clear sky with the throne above it, genuine authority will be with us—2 Cor. 10:8; 13:10.
D
Our weight before God depends on the degree of our subjection to God's authority; the more we submit to the throne, the weightier we will be.
Ⅵ
In Ezekiel 1:26 "the likeness of the throne" is "like the appearance of a sapphire stone":
A
A sapphire stone is blue in color, and blue is a heavenly color indicating the situation and appearance of God's presence—Exo. 24:10.
B
The throne being in the likeness of a sapphire stone indicates the presence of God in a heavenly situation.
C
If we have God's throne above the clear sky, we will be in a heavenly situation having the appearance of a sapphire stone.
Ⅶ
The throne in the heavens is transmitted to the earth through and with the living creatures—Ezek. 1:5, 26:
A
Wherever they are, the throne is there, and wherever they go, the throne follows them.
B
In this way the throne in the heavens becomes one with the earth, for the throne is transmitted to the earth—Matt. 6:10; 16:19; 18:18.