Peering through the mercy seat
Setting up God's throne
Psalms 89.14 & 97.2b
14
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go
before thy face.
2b
righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
Introduction
According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throne):
“A throne is the official chair or seat upon which a monarch is seated on state
or ceremonial occasions. 'Throne' in an abstract sense can also refer to the
monarchy or the Crown itself, and is also used in many terms such as 'the
power behind the throne.'”
Thrones are the symbol of monarchs and gods.
The throne is used in coronation ceremonies and it is used to lift the king up
above all others. Thus they are directly associated with royal power.
The Greeks placed additional thrones in the palace and temples so that the
gods would have a place to sit.
The Romans had two thrones; one for the Emperor and one for the goddess
Roma.
The Hittites considered the thrones themselves to be gods.
Even some republics use throne-like chairs in some state ceremonial functions.
For example the President of the United States sits on a high-backed white-
clothed chair in the Oval Office when meeting distinguished visitors at the
white house before the press.
Some of the more famous thrones include
• The Throne of Solomon
• The Throne of Apollo
• The Throne of Charlemagne in Germany
• The papal seat
and of course the most famous royal throne still in use today is St Edward's
Chair, on which Queen Elizabeth was crowned.
The spirit world has thrones too.

Lucifer's throne
Lucifer has a throne. Isa 14.12-14
Isa 14.13 “...I will exalt my throne above the stars of God”
Being the antithesis of God, we can thus establish that his throne is built upon:
• Wrong
• Immorality
• Opposition to God's law
• Lies and deceit
His opinion is that God's law doesn't matter that you can live your life any way
you please.
His goal is to “weaken the nations” or decay the gentiles.
He believes by doing this, he will “be like the Most High” (or resemble the
Supreme).
If he gets us to deny or doubt God's law, then he can establish his throne in our
life.
But there is another throne...
The throne of God
Our text says that the habitation of God's throne is:
Righteousness/Justice and Judgment
Righteousness/Justice:
• The right
• Natural, moral, legal
• Abstractly = equity
• Figuratively = prosperity
• From a word that means to make right or to cleanse
Judgment:
• Verdict (favorable or unfavorable)
• Formal decree or divine law
• From a word meaning to judge
Habitation:
• Fixture, basis, or abode
• Foundation
• From a word meaning to erect, stand, or set up
Thus God's throne is established or erected upon his law and his judgments
based thereon.

The coronation ceremony
Before He can be King in our lives, we must first go through the coronation
ceremony.
1. Preparation - Ester (Fasting and prayer)
2. Entrance into God's presence (enter with thanksgiving and praise)
3. Recognition (as you enter in you need to make some noise)
4. The Oath (can he govern your life, does he have power in your life)
5. Presentation of the Word of God (we need his gospel and his law)
6. Communion (now lets spend some time with him)
7. Anointing (let his anointing come into your life)
8. Presentation of regalia (remember the things God has done in your life)
9. Investment of power (give him the opportunity and permission to work in
your life)
10.Enthronement (put him on the throne of your heart)
11.Homage (show him your loyalty)
12.Continued communion (linger in his presence)
The mercy seat
There is a Jewish tradition that says that God has two thrones; one of justice
and one of mercy.
Adam and Eve
• God's throne of justice was established in his law
• They doubted God's law
• God loves Adam and Eve, but God hates sin
• Finally mercy is born and the second throne is set up
God told Moses to build the Ark of the Covenant and place the Mercy Seat on
top.
Ex 25.17 said it was to be “pure gold” which could be translated clean,
shimmering, and clear.
The ark held:
• The ten commandments
• Pot of manna
• Aaron's rod that budded
Every time God looked at His throne, He saw:
• Our inability to keep is law
• Our lack of faith in His provision
• Our rebellion
But once a year the Cohain would enter the Holy of Holies and the blood of the
sacrifice would cover our shame.

Just like Adam and Eve our nakedness is revealed, and there is nothing we can
do about it.
Hebrews 4.15-16 says, “15For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as
we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Our Cohain knows that we lack the ability in ourselves to set up God's throne in
our life, and He has provided a way for us to come boldly before the throne
(our mercy seat) in our time of need.
Closing
The throne of God:
• The official seat of God in our lives
• It is sometimes used as a reference to God Himself
• We build it when we lift him up above all others
• Making Him truly King in our hearts
• It is full of symbolism and ceremony
• It is oft battled for by our enemy
Set up His throne and He will be your King and Priest
• Fast and pray
• Give Him thanksgiving and praise
• Make some noise
• Submit to His will
• Submit to His Word
• Don't be afraid to spend time with Him
• Receive His anointing
• Remember what He has done
• Make Him the Supreme authority
• Put Him on the throne of your heart
• Remain steadfast and loyal
• Commune with Him daily
When we do these things, we are accepting His verdict that we are poor,
naked, and blind; and we allow His mercy to cover us.