Sunday, April 26, 2009

Solomon and the Great White Throne

In all of Solomon’s building he decided to build a "…porch for the throne where he might judge, even the porch of judgment: and it was covered with cedar from one side of the floor to the other." I Kings 7:7.

In this "porch of judgment" Solomon had a special throne built and there was none like it in any kingdom. I Kings 10:20 This throne was made of ivory and was therefore white. It had gold sheets on it to convey wealth and value of character. It had 6 steps to the throne, the throne level being the 7th step. At each end of each step were two golden lions. Verse 19 of I Kings indicates that there were 2 lions at the top of the throne one on each side of the throne. Depending upon how one views the throne one could calculate 12 lions, 2 for each step, and 2 more on the throne level for a total of 14 lions.

At this throne it would appear that Solomon me with his subjects and was able to deliver the judgments necessary to assist with the functioning of the kingdom. Assuming that Solomon was still in right connection with God at this time, this throne would have some deep symbolic qualities to it.

We know that there was not a throne like this in any kingdom on earth. However, there are some similarities between this throne that Solomon had built, and the throne in heaven. In heaven we know that there is a great white throne and that this throne will be brought to earth for the resurrected wicked "went up on the breadth of the earth and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city…" Revelation 20:9

We know that all of the wicked had been destroyed by the brightness of the coming of Jesus II Thessalonians 2:8 and by the earthquake and hail of the 7th plague. Revelation 16:18-21. We also know that these wicked had remained dead for a thousand years and only when Jesus, and the saints, returned from heaven, and were accompanied by the holy city. When all was prepared the wicked were resurrected, and Satan was loosed to gather the resurrected dead and seek to attack the Holy City. When this occurs then the great and final judgment occurs.

In this Great White Throne Judgment scene the wicked will be judged out of the records that have been kept in the books referred to in Revelation 20:12 and Daniel 7:10. We also know that the wicked will have had their names blotted out of the Book of Life. Revelation 3:5 and Exodus 32:31-33; Revelation 13:8. Jesus will judge the wicked ones for their works done in the flesh. Revelation 20:12-13.

We know that in the throne room scene in heaven, as described in Revelation 4-5, there is a central throne, surrounded by 24 thrones for the 24 elders. In the midst of the throne are 4 "beasts" having 4 faces and 6 wings. One of the faces of the beasts is that of a lion. Revelation 4:6-7. In addition another Lion comes to the throne in the form of the Son of God the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Revelation 5:5

There is another picture in the Throne Room in heaven and that is the individual referred to as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is also presented as the "Lamb as it had been slain". Revelation 5:6. Thus symbolizing that Jesus is both Judge and Sacrifice. In Him is united the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith. Matthew 23:23. Jesus is the perfect Judge. John 5:22.

So as Solomon, the Type of Jesus, was the judge in his time sitting on a great white throne, so the Reality, the True Judge, will sit on His great white throne and complete the judgment once and for all.

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