The throne of his glory

'The throne of his glory'

— Matthew 25:31

In my mind’s eye, I see the Lord Jesus Christ sitting upon his throne in glory, in the blessed serenity of his total sovereignty. He is not weak, frustrated and anxious, as some have pictured him, not knowing if he will be able to accomplish his purpose. Rather, he is calm, content and peaceful, knowing that by virtue of his sovereign power ‘the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.’ Behold his transcendent glory! He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the sovereign Monarch of heaven and earth. His empire is as limitless as the universe. His dominion is from everlasting to everlasting. His kingdom rules over all! Everything belongs to him. Everything is governed by him. Everything does his bidding. He is God over all and blessed forever.

Standing before his throne are all those angelic, heavenly creatures who anxiously ‘ worship and serve him. They cast their crowns before him in adoring reverence. In that same great assembly I see all of God’s elect who have already entered the heavenly city. They too cast their crowns before his feet and sing the songs of redeeming love. I see beneath his blessed feet the earth, which has become his footstool. His saints upon the earth worship, adore and honor him as the rightful sovereign of the universe and the rightful Lord of their hearts. They live in hopeful expectation of his glorious advent.

But then I see before this great King all the elements of the world, all the beasts of the field, all those fallen sons of Adam who wage their warfare against his throne, all the spirits of the damned in hell, the demons of hell and the prince of darkness himself. My heart begins to melt in fear for the safety of the great King’s throne, his kingdom, his glory and my own soul. But all my fears are immediately silenced. All those evil men, the demons of hell, those forces of evil and Satan himself have a bit of iron in their mouths and a bridle of steel; and he who holds the reins of that bridle is the King himself! Christ is on his throne!