“…but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him (Revelation 22:3b).”
The throne of God plays a prominent role in the book of Revelation. Chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation give us a lofty and moving picture of the throne. It’s not difficult to understand why we are given these visions. Believers who are embroiled in trials and trouble in this fallen world can easily forget that the heavenly perspective is different from ours. The pastoral purpose of chapters 4 and 5 is meant to assure struggling Christians that God is sovereign even over the troubling times of life. And these troubles will be pictured in the chapters that follow which are filled with fearsome images.
However, we need to not only know that God is sovereign over the troubling things we experience now, but we also need to know that He will be sovereign in the end. And it is this second truth that is announced in this text from chapter 22. In the end as we gather in our eternal city, the throne of God and the Lamb will be in the very midst of His people. In the end our Lord remains as King and we will know it in a greater way than we ever have before since the throne will be there in the city.
The Greek word translated here as “worship” can be translated as worship or serve. Just as Adam was called to work and keep the garden (Genesis 2:15) so too we will work to spread God’s glory through the universe forever and ever. Then life and worship will be one. All that we do will be done in joyous service to our God whose throne will be ever before us. As we live through uncertain times that seem to be beyond any nation’s control, let us be encouraged that our King reigns now and forevermore.