And immediately I was in the spirit, and behold a throne was set in Heaven, and One sat on the throne. Revelation 4:2
On February 6, 1952, King George VI died. But the coronation to replace him as the monarch of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon, and Pakistan did not occur until June 2, 1953, almost 16 months later. During that time, was the British throne unoccupied? No, of course not. Immediately upon the death of her father, Elizabeth became queen, and remained so until September 8 of last year. Her reign began the moment her father died, even before she received news of his death as she and her husband were visiting in Africa. The period between the death of King George VI and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was to allow for a proper mourning period for the good king, and to prepare for an appropriate coronation for the new queen. But the British throne was never left unoccupied for a moment. Neither is the throne that is occupied by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The Lord Jesus will set up His kingdom on the earth some day. For a thousand years, He will reign in righteousness, and the world will know a government of perfect justice, administration, and direction. That kingdom will not appear until after several great events occur, beginning with the rapture of the saints. At the end of the terrible time of judgment known as the great tribulation, and as the blood from the battle of Armageddon still runs red, He will appear and establish His righteous reign. The world will then know Who is the King. But until that time, the throne is already occupied, although very few recognize that fact.
Very few signs of the King’s reign are evident today. The devil and his minions continue their path of destruction and opposition to the will of God. Everything around us is designed to exalt man and to glorify man’s achievements. Even as atheism denies the existence of God, humanism sets man up as god. And in all of this, the world grows worse and worse, with the destruction of morality and respect for authority. There is very little evidence here that the throne is occupied. But there are some who recognize that the Lord Jesus is King, and acknowledge that He occupies the throne.
As those who have received His salvation, we recognize Him as King. According to Romans 8:9, the recognition of Him as Lord is a vital part of our salvation. And what is true of us as individuals is also true of us as Assemblies. In those places where saints gather to His Name, His lordship is acknowledged, and His Word is obeyed. We acknowledge our submission to His righteous rule, and desire only the furtherance of His kingdom and the advance of His cause.
The throne is occupied today, even though much of earth will deny or ignore that fact. But we will humbly bow before His throne today. – Jim MacIntosh