The Oval Office of the Cosmos

The Psalmist saw it: One enthroned upon the cherubim.

Isaiah saw it “high and lifted up.”

If the Bible is the revealed word of God, then there is an Oval Office of God somewhere in this cosmos. We say that the Scriptures are inspired, but it does not sink into our scientific minds these days that God is indeed enthroned somewhere, and upon cherubim no less.

We think this is just the exaggerations of Hebrew poets. It is poetry, not scientifically “real.”

Science has really done a number on us. By it we can now get to the moon. But also by it we are now prevented from getting to the throne of God.

The throne of God? Oh, that’s just Hebrew poetry – and in our heart of hearts we think Dante can write these fictions much better. Besides, there’s more scandal in Dante.

But throughout the Scriptures, especially when things get difficult for life -- like perhaps an economic collapse, or dirty bombs going off in New York and Los Angeles at once -- we are given a glimpse of an extraordinary place, full of activity, the center of authority in the cosmos.

Ezekiel saw it as wheels within wheels.

John saw it as a vast expanse of crystal glass, with a throne in the center, and one seated on the throne, with 24 thrones surrounding it, and thunder and lighting coming from it, and all of it guarded by four living creatures full of eyes.

And the writer to the Hebrews saw it, and he saw Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. This Jesus, the Man in glory, in the Oval Office of the Cosmos, the one who died for us, and the one who is praying for us today.

Logos2Go

Psalm 80.1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

Isaiah 6.1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.

Ezekiel 1.16, 26 (16) As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl. (26) And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance.

Revelation 4.2-6 … and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind …

Hebrews 1.3 Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;