在2003年12月，期待已久的魔戒三部曲在电影院公映了，在这段接近圣诞节的期间，数以百万计的人正在准备迎接王者再临，以乎很好和很应节。
在新约圣经中，“宝座”这个字词一共出现了62次，包括启示录中的47次；启示录是一卷关于宝座、冠冕、君王、统治、和作王的书。尽管有恶人坐在或占据了王位，然而神的宝座才是无可比拟的能力和审判的来源 － 它同时也是荣美敬拜的中心。
启示录用了大部份的篇幅来描绘在世上发动的挣扎和混乱，然而我们也时常看到一个重要的征象：宝座不是空置的。坐在宝座上的耶稣，既有极大的能力，而且也是无与伦比地慈爱的。坐在神宝座上的是全能的主、万王之王，衪也是世人的救世主，衪说：“看哪！我将一切都更新了！”
今天是将临期的第一个主日，在我们进入圣诞节这个节期时，我们都在准备迎接君王再临。有一天，耶稣将会回来除去世上所有令人伤痛的事情，再没有悲伤，再没有死亡，再没有痛苦。到那时，整个创造都会完全接受万王之王的统治呢。
我们的主，我们的王，祢是配得荣耀，尊贵和权能的！主耶稣啊，我愿祢来！阿们。
启示录 21:1-7
1我又看见一个新天新地，因为先前的天地已经过去了，海也不再有了。
2我又看见圣城新耶路撒冷由神那里从天而降，预备好了，就如新妇装饰整齐等候丈夫。
3我听见有大声音从宝座出来说：“看哪，神的帐幕在人间！他要与人同住，他们要做他的子民，神要亲自与他们同在，做他们的神。
4神要擦去他们一切的眼泪，不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀、哭号、疼痛，因为以前的事都过去了。”
5坐宝座的说：“看哪，我将一切都更新了！”又说：“你要写上，因这些话是可信的，是真实的。”
6他又对我说：“都成了！我是阿拉法，我是俄梅戛；我是初，我是终。我要将生命泉的水白白赐给那口渴的人喝。
7得胜的，必承受这些为业：我要做他的神，他要做我的儿子。
"He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making everything new!'" - Revelation 21:5
In December 2003 the long-awaited third installment of The Lord of the Rings movies was released in theaters. It seemed wonderful and fitting that millions of people, in the season approaching Christmas, were making plans for The Return of the King.
In the New Testament the word for "throne" shows up 62 times, including 47 times in the book of Revelation. This is a book of thrones, crowns, kings, ruling, and reigning. Some evil figures sit on or claim thrones, but the throne of God is the source of unmatchable power and judgment—and at the same time it is the center of glorious worship.
Much of the book of Revelation depicts struggle and chaos unleashed on the earth, yet we always see this guiding image: the throne is not empty. Jesus, the one seated on the throne, is both tremendously powerful but also incomparably loving. On the throne of God is the Lord Almighty, the King of kings, who is also the Savior of the world. And he says, "Look! . . . I am making everything new!"
Today, on the first Sunday of Advent, we are making plans for the return of the King as we head into the Christmas season. One day Jesus will come to wipe away all the sad things of this world. Grief will be gone. Death will be done. Pain will perish. The King of kings will have his rule fully recognized throughout all creation.
You are worthy, our Lord and King, to receive glory and honor and power! Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
