God has always been ruling, during times of peace and even in times of war. This week, Pastor Lutzer speaks with us about God's eternal throne from Psalm 45:6-7.
"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kindgom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness."
- Psalm 45:6-7a
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Transcript: Hi, welcome to Five Minutes With Pastor Lutzer. I'm so glad that you joined us, because we're discussing the attributes of God: specifically today, the eternality of God. I hope that you were with us in previous discussions, when we talked about the fact that God existed from all eternity, and of necessity He existed from all eternity to eternity. Mind-boggling concepts. Certainly we serve a great God.
But today, my passage of Scripture actually comes from the 45th chapter of the book of Psalms, where we read this: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God has exalted you." Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
Now in order to do this study, I asked my assistant to print out every time the word "throne" comes in Scripture—all the passages. I discovered that there are human beings who sit on thrones, of course; the kings, they have their thrones. Satan had a throne—or at least he wanted to exalt his throne above the heavens. And then you have the throne of David. You know, when the angel came to Mary and said, regarding Jesus, "He shall be the son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father, David," I think that means that Jesus is still going to rule on this Earth. I don't think that the throne of David is in heaven.
But let's set that aside. Let's be thrilled with the fact that in the fourth chapter of the book of Revelation, John sees an open door into heaven. Ever wonder what heaven was like? Read that passage. And he says that he saw the throne; and on the throne, clearly, God was seated. And around the throne, there were various beings who were falling down and giving God worship. And then the 24 elders, which I think actually represent the church in the New Testament, as well as the 12 tribes of Israel, all the redeemed, they're falling down and they are worshiping God. And that's what you and I should do as we think about the throne of God. It is an eternal throne.
Was God ruling when Adam and Eve fell in the garden and sinned? Yes. Was God ruling, even when World War II was happening? Yes. That does not mean that He rules directly. He, of course, rules through others—through secondary causes. But God has always been God. And He certainly doesn't approve of what happens in the world, of course; but He's always been God. His throne is forever and ever. And, my friend, God wants us to make sure that He is king. That He sits on the throne of our hearts. And from my heart to yours today, I have to say that there is not room within us, within our hearts, for two thrones.
There was a man by the name of Thomas Chisholm who wrote the song "Living for Jesus." And I remember part of it: "Oh Jesus, Lord and Master, I give myself to Thee; for Thou, in Thine atonement, didst give Thyself for me. I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne, my life I give, henceforth to live, for Thee alone." One throne in our hearts. The eternal God has a throne, and He desires to rule in our hearts. Can I encourage you once again? When the text of Scripture tells us "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever," that means we have a God we can trust. He's already in our future, and He rules, and He has no serious rivals. Today, go with God, and I'll see you right here next time.