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STUDY 9  The Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4 v16).

 

Bible passages to be read: Ephesians 2 v11-22, Romans 8 v28-39, Exodus 17 v8-16, 1 Peter 3 v18, Hebrews 4 v14-16, Hebrews 7 v25.

 

The throne of God is of course the place of His authority. The prophet Ezekiel was allowed to see visions of this throne and tell us, “and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it” (Ezekiel 1 v26). The prophet Isaiah was commissioned by the One who he saw “sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up” (Isaiah 6 v1). When the apostle John saw God’s throne, he wrote, “And I beheld, and , lo, in the midst of the throne . . . stood a Lamb as it had been slain” (Revelation 5 v6). Our Saviour sits upon the throne, and in Him we have access to the “throne of grace”. “Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool . . . but to this man I will look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Isaiah 66 v1-2). Under these conditions we are allowed access to the throne of God, a word only used three times in the New Testament, Ephesians 2 v18 and 3 v12, also Romans 5 v2, and these are well worth studying in their context.

 

Turn to: Ephesians 2 v11-22 where the Christian is seen in his new relationship with God. 

1. Summarise in your own words the teaching of this passage in relationship to our admission to His throne-room.

 

Romans 8 v28-39 tells us something of the good things God gives to those He has brought near to Himself in love(v28 and 1John 4 v19). This is given in the form of a question and answer. 

2. Make a list of the questions asked. They all have an important bearing on our Christian living. Then put side by side with these questions the answers given, in which we may rejoice.

 

Exodus 17 v 8-16 gives in picture form how our link with “the throne of grace” can affect the battle we have constantly with the enemies which attack us. Amalek is generally taken to be a picture of “the flesh”, our bitter foe within. 

3. Explain the effect of work done behind the scenes at the “throne of grace” upon the actual conflict waged against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Can you trace any parallel in this story with our New Testament passages? 

 

4. 1 Peter 3 v18 sums up briefly the way of access, and the method by which it has been opened up. Express the teaching of this verse in your own words.

 

Our key verse appears in Hebrews 4 v14-16. Note the word ‘therefore’. 

5. Explain why there is such strength and comfort to be found in this access, which has been opened to us to “the throne of grace”. What are the two valuable things we can rely upon finding for our help at the throne? 

 

6. Comment on Hebrews 7 v25 in the light of all you have learned in this study.