Definition of a Throne
( from the Dictionary of The Holy Bible (1832 )
THRONE,
that magnificent seat on which princes
usually sit to receive the homage of their subjects, or
to give audience to ambassadors; where they appear
in pomp and ceremony ; whence they dispense justice,
&c. The throne, the sceptre, the crown, are
ordinary symbols of royalty and royal authority.
Scripture often represents the Lord as sitting on a
throne. The psalmist says, that God had confirmed
his throne in heaven from all eternity, Ps. ciii. 19 ;
xciii. 2; xlv. 6. This throne was supported by justice
and equity, xcvii. 2. The throne of the Lord
which was shown to Ezekiel, (chap, i.) was at the
same time the most terrible, and yet the most magnificent,
object that can be imagined. It was an
animated chariot, borne by four cherubim of an extraordinary
figure. The wheels were ofinexplicable
beauty and magnitude, also animated and conducted
by a spirit. The throne of the Lord, which was
over the wheels and the cherubim, was like glittering
crystal, with a seat of sapphire. He who sat on the
throne was surrounded with splendor like that of fire, or of metal in fusion ; and round him glowed the colors of the rainbow. (See also Isa. vi. 2 — 4.) The cherubim on the ark of the covenant were also considered as a kind of throne of the Deity : whence it is said in типу places that God sits between the cherubim ; (1 Sam. iv. 4 ; 2 Sam. vi. 2 ; 2 Kings xix. 15 ; Ps. xviii. 10 ; Ixxx. 1 ; xcix. 1 ; Isa. xxxvii. KÎ.) whether we consider thechcrubim of the ark, or the cherubim which Isaiah and Ezekiel describe as being under, and about, the throne of the Almighty ; and probably to the same cherubim Paul refers by the term thrones, Col. i. 1(5. The throne of Solomon is described in Scripture as the finest and richest in the world, 1 Kings x. 20.
It was of ivory, inlaid with gold. The ascent was by seven steps ; the back was round, and two arms supported the seat ; twelve golden lions, one at each end of every step, mude a principal part of its ornaments. The Jews sometimes swore by* the throne of God, or by heaven; but our Saviour forbids such oaths; (Matt. v. 34 ; xxiii. 22.) for ” Whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sitteth upon it.” There isa passage (Exod. xvii. 10.) that might be understood in the sense of an oath, sworn by the throne of God : ” The Lord has lifted up his hand from his throne (he has swum by his throne) that he would make war against Amalek.” (See OATH.) Thus in Judith, (i. 2.) Nebuchadnezzar swears by his throne, that he would make war against all who had rejected his ambassadors. In Scripture, the Son of God is represented as sitting on a throne at the right hand of his Father, Ps. ex. 1 ; Heb. i. 8; Rev. iii. 21. And he himself assures his apostles, that they should sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, Luke xxii. 30. In the Revelation, we find the twenty-four elders seen in vision, sitting on thrones before the Lord, Rev. iv. 4. And (Dun. vii. !).) when God is about to enter into judgment with men, thrones are prepared for judges. The Ancient of Days is seated ; liis throne is asa flame of fire; his wheels are as consuming fire; streams of fire radiate from his face; millions of millions of angels attend upon him, and thousands of thousands are round about him. Thrones, in the sense of an order of the celestial hierarchy, (Col. i. 1ÍÍ.) may signify’, as above hinted, the cherubim, which were considered as the throne of God. Paid does not mention thrones among the celestial spirits that compose the angelic hierarchy, (Eph. iii. 10; vi. 12.) and hence some suppose that by thrones, principalities, powers and dominions, the aposllc means no more than temporal powers, subordinate one to another. Thus, thrones denote kingly power ; principalities, governors or princes ; and powers, judges, magistrates of cities.