The Throne Of Grace

THE THRONE OF GRACE

HEBREWS 4:14-16

#throneofgrace

READ Hebrews 4:14-16 (READ THE PASSAGE ALOUD TOGETHER)

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

THE THRONE OF GRACE

The phrase “throne of grace.” It caught my eye for a very particular reason. A good friend of mine always uses the phrase “throne of grace” when he begins his prayers. “Lord, we come before Your throne of grace…” something like that. I know it is a phrase from Scripture, this Scripture that we just read, but it is not a phrase that I use on a regular basis. So, when I was reading through Scripture, it caught my eye.

What is the throne of grace?

Who sits on the throne of grace?

Why is the throne of grace important?

How do we approach the throne of grace?

I believe in the context of the verse that it is clear that the “throne of grace” refers to the throne of God in Heaven. Did you know God has a throne? He does. That throne is mentioned several times in Scripture:

READ Isaiah 6:1-4

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above Him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

READ Ezekiel 1:25-28

Then there came a Voice from above the expanse over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. 26 Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a Figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be His waist up He looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down He looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around Him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown…

READ Daniel 7:9-10

As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

READ Revelation 4:2-8

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 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. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."

Just reflect on those passages a minute and what the throne room of God must be like. It is definitely beyond our comprehension, but we have a glimpse of the glory of God and His power. God gives us a few glimpses into Heaven. The descriptions of God on His throne are amazing! Thrilling! Awe inspiring! It is this throne that the writer of Hebrews has in mind when they write about the “throne of grace.” God on His throne. Jesus on His throne. In Hebrews 4:14-16, the “throne of grace” is described in two main ways… authority and power and then sympathy and understanding. Authority and power. Sympathy and understanding.