A couple of mornings ago, as I read the Revelation to John, I was grabbed by how often the Risen Christ is recognized and regarded as the Lamb. It seems, that for eternity, we will not have very many “degrees of separation” between the wonders of heaven and eternity and the realities of the cross and Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice made on earth. What grabbed me this morning, as I read in chapter 7, is also how often the throne is mentioned in John’s amazing vision. A quick count on my e-concordance shows 29 references to “the throne” in these 22 chapters. . . and 7 of those occurrences are in this chapter . . . check out who’s where in relation to the throne . . .

First, there is God ON the throne. We know that from Revelation 5 . . . in chapter 7 “God who sits ON the throne” is being worshiped. The eternal Sovereign is seated in majesty and authority . . . a throbbing chorus of angelic voices declaring, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!” The One who is ON the throne is the focal point of heaven. He sets the tone of heaven . . . He defines the essence of heaven . . . He is heaven.

And then, John sees “a great multitude . . . from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” standing BEFORE the throne (v.9). These are those who have come out of the horrors of the great tribulation with a saving faith, having “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (v. 14). These are believers and they are positioned BEFORE the throne . . . they are opposite the One seated on the throne . . . they are in front of Him who dwells in unapproachable light (1Tim. 6:16) . . . and I imagine they are gazing, experiencing, interacting with the glory of God Almighty. They worship with loud voices BEFORE the throne extolling the praises of the God of their salvation.

Surrounding this worshipping throng are “all the angels” and they are standing AROUND the throne. They shroud the seat of God’s glory with their magnificent presence . . . for angels long to look upon the evidences of the dynamics of God’s wondrous salvation (1Peter 1:12). Though the throne is the center of attention, I imagine these angels AROUND the throne beholding the multitude BEFORE the throne. One set of God’s creation beholding another set that, having free will, have been brought to believe in the redeeming grace of God . . . by the Spirit of God . . . through the Son of God . . . for the glory of God. These angelic beings AROUND the throne marvel at the amazing grace of God who sits ON the throne as evidenced by the people of God BEFORE the throne.

And finally there is One is IN THE MIDST of the throne . . .

For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.    (Revelation 7:7 ESV)

Ok . . . so I get that heaven isn’t a spatial place . . . but this stretches the mind a bit. God is ON the throne . . . the redeemed are BEFORE the throne . . . the angels are AROUND the throne . . and the LAMB is IN THE MIDST of the throne. He is in the middle . . . He is at the center of it all . . . you don’t see the throne and not see the Lamb. And I know the throne isn’t a “double seater” so I’m left to understand that He is inseparable from God ON the throne. He is the focus of the Father’s affection . . . He is the source of the angel’s wonder . . . He is the catalyst of the redeemed’s worship. The Lamb is IN THE MIDST . . . the Lamb and God are one.

You don’t see God without seeing the Lamb . . . you don’t behold the glory of God without beholding the Lamb . . . you don’t worship God without worshiping the Lamb. Am I getting the implications of what it means that the Lamb is IN THE MIDST?

O’ what will be to be BEFORE the throne . . . to be aware of the angels AROUND the throne . . . but to be solely focused on Him who is ON the throne . . . and to say “Thank you” forever and ever to the Lamb IN THE MIDST of the throne?

Gloria in excelsis Deo! . . . Glory to God in the highest! . . . Amen?