Four Aspects of God’s Throne: Comparison Table

 

Four Aspects of God’s Throne: Comparison Table

In brief:

The Bible speaks of only one throne (Rev. 4:2). The four titles are the same throne seen from different angles, at different stages, and in relation to different people. “Ruling” and “administrative” are two ways of describing the same aspect, one stressing authority and the other its execution. 

Item	The Throne of God’s Rule	The Throne of God’s Administration	The Throne of Grace	The Throne of God and of the Lamb
Main Scriptures	Rev. 4:2; Dan. 7:9; Psa. 47:8	Rev. 4:5, 5:1; Dan. 7:9-10; Psa. 97:2	Heb. 4:16; Heb. 9:3, 5	Rev. 22:1-3; Rev. 7:17; Rev. 3:21
Aspect emphasized	Authority, sovereignty, kingship	Managing the universe and carrying out God’s plan	Mercy, grace, supply	The throne in which God and Christ (the Lamb) are one, becoming the source of life
Scene of the throne	Set in heaven, with One sitting on it in glorious appearance	Rainbow, lightning, thunders, lamps of fire; the scroll in the hand of the One on the throne	Blood sprinkled on the mercy seat, with Christ as the High Priest	A river proceeding out of the throne, bright as crystal, with the tree of life in it
Old Testament type	(Fewer types; mostly direct revelation)	The fiery throne in Daniel	The mercy seat (propitiation cover) upon the Ark of the Testimony in the Holy of Holies	The consummation of the river and tree of life in Eden  (Gen. 2:9-10)
Nature and function	A throne of rule over the whole universe	God exercises administration through it so that His economy may be accomplished	The place where believers receive mercy, find grace, and obtain timely help	God and Christ ruling together and also supplying God’s people together
Those concerned	The whole universe	The whole universe (including unbelievers and demons)	Believers	Believers (the overcomers and all the saints in the New Jerusalem)
To unbelievers vs. to believers	To unbelievers, a throne of authority	To unbelievers, a throne of judgment and dealing	To believers, a throne of grace	To unbelievers, authority; to us, a throne from which the water of life flows
Christ’s position	Christ is the Lord on the throne	The Lamb is worthy to open the scroll (Rev. 5)	Christ is the High Priest whose blood cleanses us and enables us to come boldly	The Lamb in the midst of the throne shepherds us  (Rev. 7:17)
Our experience	Fear and obedience	Being dealt with and arranged under God’s administration	Coming boldly, sensing something flowing to moisten and supply us	Drinking the water of life, eating the tree of life, serving God and reigning with Him  (Rev. 22:3-5)
Location	Above  the heavens	Above the heavens	Above the heavens, yet joined to our spirit through Christ (our spirit is today’s Bethel)	In the city of New Jerusalem
Relation to grace	The authoritative basis of grace	The background and guarantee for the dispensing of grace	The place where grace is taken	The consummation of grace: grace is the river with the tree of life growing in it

Points of Integration

1.      One throne, three stages: The throne in Revelation 4 is the throne of rule and administration. In Hebrews 4, because of Christ’s blood and His High Priesthood, this throne becomes a throne of grace to believers. In Revelation 22, the throne becomes the throne of God and of the Lamb, from which the river flows, so that grace is consummated and expressed as the supply of life.

2.      Authority and grace do not conflict: The throne of administration is the foundation (Psa. 97:2 says righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne). The blood sprinkled on the mercy seat (Lev. 16:15) makes God’s authority in Christ the ground for dispensing grace to us. Hence it is a throne of authority to unbelievers, but a throne of grace to us.

3.      The meaning of “God and the Lamb”: The Lamb is the redeeming Christ, and the throne is God’s administration. Their oneness on the throne shows that God’s administration and Christ’s redemption are one. The goal of the throne’s rule is to flow out the water of life, supplying and satisfying His people.

4.      How we come: Coming to the throne of grace is altogether a matter in the spirit. Christ is in our spirit and has brought the third heaven into our spirit, making it the gate of heaven, with the throne right inside the gate. Calling “O Lord Jesus” immediately touches this throne.

 

*Please refer to the 2026 Autumn Training for Elders and Responsible Brothers, General Topic: The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Part Six: The Dream of Bethel