ISAIAH AND THE THRONE VISION

053-ISAIAH AND THE THRONE VISIONIsaiah was one of the most important prophets in the Bible. His book is one of the most important and his message about the Messiah were so many and so important that he is said to be the prophet of the Gospel. One time, Isaiah had a shocking vision of God. He saw the Lord sitting on a high and exalted throne, the edges of his robe filling the temple. There were angels flying above him and claiming the holiness and glory of God.1 Isaiah said he was going to die because, being a sinner with unclean lips, had seen God, the King in heaven. One the angels was sent to him holding a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs, he told him: “See, this has touched your lips. Your guilt has departed, and your sin is removed”.2

At least two things in this vision are remarkable. One is that there existed the biblical idea that no sinner man could see God and continue living3, that is why Isaiah said that. The other is that God can sanctify and purify every person who wishes it. That celestial altar, from where the angel took the glowing coal, is the big original that is in the Celestial Sanctuary4 and the described elements are symbols representing the merits of Christ, his perfect justice and his intercession for us.5 It reminds us that the Bible says that there are some conditions to see God someday. For instance “Pursue the goal of peace along with everyone, and holiness as well, because no one will see the Lord without it”6, “Happy are the people who have pure hearts, because they will see God”.7 Job said that when he would see God when he resuscitated.8 Abraham, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samson’s parents and others claim to have seen God, but in the shape of an angel, Jehovah’s angel.9 John the apostle confirms that nobody has ever seen God, but that the Only Begotten Son has been made known by him.10 Jesus himself says that he has seen him, the Father.11 God has all power and can give life and take it away, hurt and heal, and he capacitates people with the gift they need to serve him.12 Isaiah understood this and when, in the vision, God asked who he should send, who would be willing to go for him, Isaiah said: “I’m here, send me”.13

 

Biblical References:

  1. Isaiah 6: 1-3
  2. Isaiah 6: 5
  3. Exodus 33: 19-20
  4. Hebrews 9: 11, 12
  5. Hebrews 8: 1, 2, 5, 6
  6. Hebrews 12: 14
  7. Mathew 5: 8
  8. Job 19: 26
  9. Genesis 18: 1-5; 32: 24-30; Exodus 33: 18-23; Joshua 5: 13-15; Judges 6: 22; 13: 22
  10. Juan 1: 18; 1 Juan 4: 12
  11. Juan 14: 9
  12. Deuteronomy 32: 39
  13. Isaiah 6: 8