There is a Higher Throne

Do you ever start something and make some progress and then the task gets forgotten or you think “I will pick this up later when I have more time.”? That happens to me far too often. Over a year ago I started to write some thoughts about my upcoming funeral service. I wrote about things to bring to my funeral and asked, “will you be remembered?” for another post. I shared some things about locks, keys, and other mysteries Cindie will face. The list of topics might be endless, but the reality is that we ignore something important about living. We ignore dying, death, funerals, and planning for these.

That leads to other errors in living. If we think clearly about the brevity of life we have an opportunity to think about the things left undone or partially done.

Sunday Service at Memorial Baptist Church

Our pastor, Jeremy Scott, is preaching a series of sermons covering the last book of the scriptures, the book of Revelation. The hymns and songs that we sing are usually attached in obvious ways to the message text. This morning was no exception.

When I arrived one of the members of the music team approached me and told me that we would be singing my favorite song. She must have realized that I drew a blank, but when she told me the name of the song, it was instantly recognizable.

It is the type of song I would love to have others sing at my memorial service. There are a couple of reasons for this. The song in question is “There is a Higher Throne.” The song is by Keith and Kristyn Getty. Before I tell you why I think this song is beneficial, read the lyrics.

There Is a Higher Throne by Keith & Kristyn Getty

There is a higher throne

Than all this world has known

Where faithful ones from every tongue

Will one day come

Before the Son we’ll stand

Made faultless through the Lamb

Believing hearts find promised grace

Salvation comes

Hear heaven’s voices sing

Their thunderous anthem rings

Through emerald courts and sapphire skies

Their praises rise

All glory, wisdom, power, strength, thanks, and honor are

To God our King, who reigns on high

Forevermore

And there we’ll find our home

Our life before the throne

We’ll honor Him in perfect song

Where we belong

He’ll wipe each tear-stained eye

As thirst and hunger die

The Lamb becomes our Shepherd King

We’ll reign with Him

Hear heaven’s voices sing

Their thunderous anthem rings

Through emerald courts and sapphire skies

Their praises rise

All glory, wisdom, power, strength, thanks, and honor are

To God our King, who reigns on high

Forevermore Forevermore

Why This Matters

I really don’t belong here. This life is really quite temporary. My body is temporary. The memory of me will be temporary. Very few will remember my name or my face fifty years from now.

There is, however, a place where I do belong. The song tells of that place and the one who is waiting for me at that place because of the work he completed on the cross. God’s wrath is satisfied. As a result, “And there we’ll find our home, our life before the throne, we’ll honor Him in perfect song, where we belong.”

How is this even possible? The song tells us that as well. “Before the Son we’ll stand, made faultless through the Lamb, believing hearts find promised grace, salvation comes.” Rest assured when you “see” me (if there is an open casket) know that I have a believing heart.

The Apostle Paul had this to say about death. “I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Don’t miss the last verse. There is labor in the Lord that must be done. Do you see how thinking clearly about death can inform your decisions?

Be Ready to Sing and Be Ready to Die

If you don’t know this song, let me encourage you to sing it now. If you wonder what is important in this life, know that preparing for death should be job number one.

There is a Higher Throne Video No. 1

There is a Higher Throne Video No. 2

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.