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God Is Still on His Throne
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod is still on His throne, a truth that resonates with power and assurance. His throne, situated in heaven within a spiritual universe, is much closer than we often realize, embodying immense might and excitement. Scripture vividly captures this reality, as seen in visions granted to prophets and apostles, revealing the glory and majesty surrounding His throne. In Stephen's vision, recorded in Acts 7, he saw Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God, a position of supreme honor and dignity, actively engaged rather than passively seated. Hebrews 8:1 further illustrates Jesus Christ seated at God's right hand, serving as the eternal High Priest ministering from heaven, signifying full forgiveness of sins. Whether standing or sitting, God the Father and Jesus Christ respond dynamically to the events unfolding before Them. Ezekiel's vision in Ezekiel 1 portrays the throne of God as a likeness of sapphire, above a shining crystal firmament, accompanied by spiritual creatures, likely cherubim, forming God's chariot. This vision, filled with spiritual elements like a rainbow over crystal, underscores the transcendent nature of His throne, departing and moving as God wills, revealing His glory to human eyes according to His pleasure. Isaiah, in Isaiah 6, witnessed God's throne in infinite holiness, surrounded by fiery seraphim with six wings, their presence suggesting remarkable powers. God's grace transformed Isaiah, cleansing and sanctifying him to stand before the throne, a process reflecting the requirement of purity to approach His presence. Exodus 19 recounts the Israelites at Mount Sinai, witnessing a fraction of God's power and glory. God demanded cleanliness and sanctification, setting them apart for His purpose, teaching physical purity as a precursor to understanding spiritual cleanliness, a standard even higher for His church today. Revelation 4 offers a profound vision of God's throne through the apostle John, depicting supernatural splendor with minerals like jasper and sardius, and a rainbow resembling an emerald, symbolizing God's mercy and peace. Twenty-four elders on lesser thrones encircle His throne, representing the redeemed church in purity and righteousness, uniting with heavenly hosts to honor Him. The throne area radiates incredible power with lightning and thunder, announcing God's omnipotent presence. Before the throne lies a Sea of Glass, like crystal, mirroring His holy excellence, symbolizing peace, omniscience, righteousness, and eternal quality. Four living creatures, full of eyes, with faces of lion, calf, man, and eagle, embody God's royal authority, strength, intelligence, and swiftness, ceaselessly revering and serving Him, supporting His throne with divine energy and firmness. Ultimately, all resurrected saints will appear before God's throne on the Sea of Glass, likely prostrating themselves in awe of His glory. The overwhelming power and glory of God, whether experienced by Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, or John in their visions, evoke profound reactions of fear and reverence, often causing them to fall on their faces. Yet, God lifts them up, as He will the firstfruit saints, to stand or kneel before Him, participating in worship and ceremonies of eternal significance on the Sea of Glass before His throne.
God is Still on His Throne!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod is still on His throne, a truth that resonates with power and assurance. His throne in heaven is not distant, but closer than we realize, existing in a spiritual universe filled with might and excitement. By the time of the Millennium, the saints will appear before the throne of God on the Sea of Glass, a scene of unimaginable glory. In visions, the throne of God reveals His infinite holiness and majesty. Stephen saw Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God, a place of honor and dignity, actively engaged rather than passively seated. Hebrews shows Christ seated at God's right hand as the eternal High Priest, ministering from heaven, while both God the Father and Jesus Christ stand or sit depending on the occasion. Ezekiel witnessed the likeness of a throne, appearing like sapphire above a shining crystal firmament, accompanied by spiritual creatures, possibly cherubim, forming God's chariot. Isaiah, in his vision, stood before the throne, surrounded by seraphim, fiery angelic beings, as God cleansed and sanctified him for His purpose. At Mount Sinai, the Israelites experienced a fraction of God's glory, required to be physically clean before approaching Him, a type of the spiritual cleanliness demanded of His church. Revelation portrays the throne of God with supernatural splendor, the One seated appearing like jasper and sardius, radiating prismatic beauty, encircled by a rainbow resembling emerald, symbolizing mercy and peace. Around the throne, twenty-four elders on lesser thrones represent the redeemed church, adorned in white robes of purity, offering praise alongside heavenly hosts. The throne area pulses with incredible power, marked by lightning and thunder, announcing God's omnipotent presence. Before the throne lies the Sea of Glass, like crystal, reflecting holiness and purity, mirroring the excellence of God, and symbolizing peace, omniscience, righteousness, and justice. Four living creatures, full of eyes, surround the throne, embodying qualities of God—royal power, strength, intelligence, and swiftness—supporting His divine government with ceaseless reverence. Wherever God moves on the cherubim, He carries a portable throne, a replica of the heavenly one, manifesting His glory. The reactions of humans and spirit beings in His presence are profound; prophets like Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and John fell on their faces or were undone by awe and fear, overwhelmed by His power and glory. Yet, God lifts His saints to stand or kneel before Him. On the Sea of Glass, before His throne, the resurrected firstfruit saints will receive their reward, new names, and participate in worship and ceremonies, overwhelmed by the awesomeness of being in His presence.
God's Sea of Glass (Part 1)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn sharp contrast to the chaos and unrest of the earthly sea, the sea of glass before God's throne embodies peace and holiness. God's throne stands as a visible symbol of His sovereign rule, with the crystal-clear sea of glass in front reflecting the qualities of His throne room—holy, pure, glorious, and eternal. This throne room is spectacularly dynamic, described as flaming with fire, glittering with sapphires, flashing with lightning and thunder, and dazzlingly white. The sea of glass, perfectly flat and smooth, symbolizes the absence of evil and chaos in heaven, mirroring the holy excellence of God and His eternal throne. Unlike the turbulent earthly seas, this sea of crystal demonstrates an eternal peace and inherent sparkle, representing a fixed state of inward and outward holiness. Wherever God's throne is, whether in heaven or as a temporary moveable throne with the cherubim, the sea of glass accompanies it, signifying calmness and order. All who are resurrected, including the saints and the great multitude, will come before God's throne, standing or kneeling on this sea of glass, prostrating themselves before His glorious and awe-inspiring presence.
The Great White Throne
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBoth the time element and the significance of the Great White Throne has been lost on most of 'Christianity' because it refuses to keep God's Holy Days.

Clouds (Part Two): God's Cloud as His Chariot
'Prophecy Watch' by Charles WhitakerGod's cloud expresses His glory because of His presence in it. His 'portable throne' in Ezekiel 1 and 10 is likewise linked to 'a great cloud.'

Worthy to Take the Scroll
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeThough often skipped, Revelation 5 narrates an event of tremendous magnitude: the opening of the divine scroll. What is the scroll, and why did John weep?
Worthy to Take the Scroll
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe sealed scroll most resembles a title deed, which can only be opened by the redeemer of the property. The rightful owner of the title deed is Jesus Christ.

Standing on the Sea of Glass
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Sea of Glass at God's throne reflects and symbolizes God's holiness and purity, peace and calmness, and His purposes of righteousness and love.
The Return of the Clouds
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)Clouds can be an emblem of God's ability to hide Himself from some and reveal Himself to others. God is in total control of what He reveals and hides at any time.
Silence in Heaven (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeWhen the Seventh Seal opens, all activity in heaven appears to stop as the heavenly realm turns its attention to what comes next, pausing in silent anticipation.
Who Are the Twenty-four Elders (Revelation 4:4)?
Bible Questions & AnswersThe twenty-four elders are not redeemed human beings because no man except Jesus Christ (John 3:13) has ascended to heaven where God's throne is.
The Adversary
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPride, vanity, presumption, and self-absorption led to Satan's demise. Satan's madness (that he is his own god) is the spirit of this world,
Hebrews (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEverything about the Priesthood of Christ is superior to the Levitical system, which only served as a type of the access to God that Jesus would fulfill.
Hebrews (Part Eight): Greater Than Angels (cont.)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Hebrews 1:3-4 describes the dramatic transitional period in which God begot Christ, making Him the only human being who could qualify as our Messiah and Savior.
What Happened to the Thief on the Cross? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeDid the criminal crucified next to Christ go to heaven? That is commonly believed—yet even Jesus was not in heaven that day! Digging deeper shows the truth.
Behold Your King!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJesus' sinless and faithful life qualifies Him as King of Kings, in contrast to the kings of Israel who seriously fell short God's requirements.
The "Open Door" of Philadelphia
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeMany have misunderstood the 'open door' reference in the letter to Philadelphia. It refers to Isaiah 22:15-25, which describes the role of Eliakim the steward.
Searching for Israel (Part Four): The Kingdom and the Key
Article by Charles WhitakerThe enigmatic symbol of the 'key of David' appears twice in Scripture. Significantly, it helps us to identify the descendants of Israel in our day.

The Beatitudes, Part 5: Blessed Are the Merciful
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMercy is a virtue that has gone out of vogue, though it is sometimes admired. Jesus, however, places it among the most vital His followers should possess.