Topical Bible: Church: Place of God's Throne

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The concept of the church as the place of God's throne is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting the profound relationship between God and His people. The church, in its essence, is not merely a physical structure but a spiritual entity where God dwells among His people. This understanding is derived from various scriptural passages that highlight the church as a sacred space where God's presence is manifest.

In the Old Testament, the temple in Jerusalem was considered the earthly dwelling place of God, where His throne was symbolically located. Isaiah 66:1 states, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be?" This passage underscores the transcendence of God, yet it also points to His desire to dwell among His people.

With the advent of the New Testament, the concept of God's dwelling shifts from a physical temple to the spiritual body of believers. The church, as the body of Christ, becomes the new temple. In Ephesians 2:19-22 , Paul writes, "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit."

This passage highlights the church as a living temple, a spiritual house where God resides through His Spirit. The church is thus seen as the place of God's throne, where His authority and presence are recognized and revered. The imagery of the church as a temple emphasizes the holiness and sanctity of the community of believers, who are called to live in accordance with God's will.

The book of Revelation further elaborates on the theme of God's throne in relation to the church. Revelation 21:3 declares, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.'" This eschatological vision portrays the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell with His people, with the church as the embodiment of His kingdom on earth.

The church, as the place of God's throne, is also a place of worship, where believers gather to honor and glorify God. Hebrews 12:22-24 describes the church as a heavenly assembly: "Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."

In this context, the church is not only a place of God's throne but also a foretaste of the heavenly reality, where believers participate in the divine worship that transcends time and space. The church, therefore, serves as a vital connection between the earthly and the heavenly, where God's reign is acknowledged and His purposes are fulfilled through the lives of His people.

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Ezekiel 43:7
And he said to me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the middle of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their prostitution, nor by the carcasses of their kings in their high places.
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Library

The Church, the Place of Worship
... be felt to be a decided advantage to have the place of the worship of God designated
by ... The word "church," by which we designate the place of divine worship ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/the church the place of.htm

God's Purpose for his Church
... All has taken place as He predicted. He has not left His church forsaken, but has
traced in prophetic ... Truth is inspired and guarded by God; and it will triumph ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 1 gods purpose for.htm

The Church Triumphant
... New workers took the place of those who fell, and stone after stone was added to
the building. Thus slowly ascended the temple of the church of God. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 58 the church triumphant.htm

God's Need of Men who Pray
... The men are to pray in every place, in the church, in the ... Thus are men to come into
the presence of God, thus are they to approach the throne of the Highest ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/iv gods need of men.htm

The Throne of Grace
... week has been a very memorable one in the history of this church. ... throne which is
also the mercy-seat, the propitiation, the place where God meets sinners ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the throne of grace.htm

Holiness
... lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and
holy place, with him =Holiness becomes God's house.= "Thy ... The church of God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter ix holiness.htm

The Ministration of the Spirit and Prayer
... business, when it is kept in its place as entirely ... must ever be first, that need
prevent fellowship with God. ... for those who are the leaders of the Church. ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter ii the ministration of.htm

Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church
... the church is like the temple"a place of worship ... service can be offered to Christ
except by his church. ... but his prayer is an abomination unto God, whilst the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/christ glorified as the builder.htm

An Examination of Post-Millennialism.
... order to capture the world the Church must make ... submitted themselves unto the
righteousness of God" (Rom.10:3 ... But politics gave Christ no place and where Christ ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/1 an examination of post-millennialism.htm

Arrangement and Furniture of the Church
... in it, the singers are still rendering to God the praises of ... it is called a "Throne,"
and its place is just ... of the doctrine of Holy Orders our Church holds and ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/arrangement and furniture of the.htm