There Is A Throne | Priscilla Shirer | Elevation Church
Finding Strength in the Presence of God: Lessons from the Throne Room
Life can often feel unpredictable, even overwhelming. Many Christians find themselves facing difficulties that seem insurmountable, no matter how closely they seek to walk with God. In these challenging seasons, the question arises: Where is God in all this? Is He really in control amid the chaos? This message, inspired by Priscilla Shirer’s powerful sermon at Elevation Church, invites you to lift your eyes above the turmoil and find hope in the unshakeable truth that there is a throne in heaven – and it is occupied.
The Blessing of Godly Leadership
When you look around your church or spiritual community, give thanks when you’re led by people of integrity – those who genuinely seek the Lord and care for His people. Not every congregation is so blessed, and if you are, God’s favor is upon you. Thank the Lord for pastors and leaders who love Jesus, love their families, and love the house of God. These leaders create environments where the presence of God is tangible and where faith can flourish.
Standing for the Word: Why Scripture Matters
Every time we open the Word of God, something sacred happens. It’s not just a ritual; it’s a moment when the Creator speaks to His people. Just as churches sometimes stand in reverence during the reading of Scripture, let us also prepare our hearts to feel the gentle breath of God as He speaks into our lives. Revelation chapters, like the fourth chapter read in this sermon, offer a glimpse behind the curtain – an invitation to see a reality greater than our earthly struggles.
Revelation: A Peek into Heaven
Revelation 4 paints a breathtaking scene. The apostle John, in the midst of hardship and exile, is granted a vision of heaven itself. He sees an open door, hears a voice as loud as a trumpet inviting him higher, and, most profoundly, beholds a throne set in the heavens. Around this throne are elders clothed in white, flashes of lightning, thundering voices, worship, and angelic beings proclaiming unending praise: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!”
This vision wasn’t given to someone comfortable and care-free; it came to John at his lowest. As a faithful follower of Jesus, John found himself exiled on the island of Patmos. Once he walked intimately with the Son of God, witnessing miracles and hearing divine teaching firsthand. Now, in isolation and suffering, he is reminded that heaven’s reality overshadows earth’s hardships.
Stories of God’s Nearness in Our Darkest Moments
Christian history is filled with testimonies of God’s presence showing up in impossible situations. During a small, intimate women’s retreat decades ago, a woman named Dory Van Stone recounted the trauma of an abusive childhood, abandonment, and neglect. Locked in closets for days and shuffled through foster care, she faced unimaginable fear and loneliness. Yet, Dory described a mysterious peace that would sometimes fill her heart in those dark moments, like a window opening between earth and heaven. Even as a child, she sensed she was not alone. The Lord met her where she was, changing her story not by removing all suffering, but by revealing His nearness in the midst of it.
Later, when questioned about her pain, Dory comforted others with powerful words: “God was with me the whole time. Knowing He’s with you makes all the difference in the world.”
The Reality of Our “Patmos” Seasons
We all have seasons that feel like Patmos – places where life is hard, escape seems impossible, and the darkness presses in. Sometimes, we’re there for having done the right thing, for standing firm in our faith or pursuing God’s calling. If you’re reading this and feeling the weight of relational pain, financial pressure, health struggles, disappointment, or spiritual exhaustion, take heart. John – and countless believers through history – have walked similar roads.
In those “rock quarry” seasons, it can feel as though everything is deteriorating. Yet, the message from the throne room is not “try harder” but “look up.” John’s transformative experience began when he lifted his eyes. He saw a door standing open in heaven, a reminder that there is always access to God’s power, presence, and perspective no matter how dire the circumstances.
The Importance of an Open Door
It’s significant that the door to heaven in John’s vision is “standing open.” Just before this, in Revelation 3:20, Jesus laments standing outside the church door, knocking, yearning for relationship with people who have become distracted and indifferent. In His mercy, even when we close doors through apathy or rebellion, Jesus continues to pursue us. By chapter 4, despite human neglect, that heavenly door has been set open again. No matter your past decisions, God’s invitation into His presence and purpose remains – ready for you to step through.
God Invites Us Higher
John hears the call: “Come up here.” This is not just for the apostle in exile; it is God’s invitation to every believer. We are called to live in two realities at once – with feet planted on the challenges of earth, but eyes and hearts anchored in heaven. Before responding to the pressures of life or making decisions in moments of conflict, pause to “come up here” through prayer, worship, and seeking God’s perspective in His Word. When we accept the invitation to rise above circumstances, our attitudes and actions begin to reflect God’s character, bringing glimpses of heaven to earth.
Even if it’s hard to see the door right now – if pain, fear, or disappointment cloud your spiritual vision – God offers to take your hand and lead you there. Like John, let your spirit behold what’s on the other side, because catching sight of heaven will shift everything about how you relate