Picturing the Throne Room of Heaven

Today's Reading: Revelation 4

Have you ever imagined what the throne room of God will look like? I like to look at houses and how they are designed and decorated, so I've wondered what this place that Jesus has gone to prepare for us will look like. However, when I've pictured entering that throne room, somehow I haven't pictured the surroundings. I've been so enthralled at the idea of seeing God on His throne and Jesus at His right hand, that the other details seemed to fade into the background.

In Revelation 4, John describes it like this:

...there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings.

Heaven may not look exactly like this, but if it does, how could we miss these details? Imagine the beauty and splendor, if you can. I don't think even John's inspired words are doing it justice!

Then again, the details may be irrelevant once we are finally there. John goes on to say that the creatures never stop saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who is, and was, and is to come." And the 24 elders fall before the throne, cast their crowns at the feet of Jesus, and proclaim, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

And perhaps that is the true essence of John's description anyway...that our attention will be riveted on that which truly matters. We will be in the presence of the living God...and Jesus, our personal Savior and brother. In the blink of an eye, everything else will, in fact, fade into the background. And we will simply be where we belong. Face down in worship before our King.

I can hardly wait to get there!

- Holly Barrett