After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voce, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal.
Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing, "Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come." (Rev. 4:1-8)So here is John, in the midst of no-way-God-is-in-charge-of-the-world circumstances, and he sees the "reality" of what is not usually seen. God is on the throne. God's glory is beyond what any human ruler could imagine or gather together. And God's praises are sung without ceasing.
Frankly, watching who is sitting on earthly "thrones" and who is running for the closest "throne" makes me celebrate the reality of God in charge. "Come up here and I will show you what must take place after this."
Insert sigh of relief here. Then celebrate.
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