17th September 2022

One of the great visions recorded in the Book is that of the prophet Isaiah. He sees the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne, and the train of his robe – a symbol of sovereignty and strength – not merely draped over a single rafter, but filling the temple. And in surround-sound he hears the thunderous praise of myriad angels directed toward the throne: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord Almighty. The whole earth is full of his glory.”

There is so much is to be seen in the vision, but perhaps on this present occasion, this point ought to be noted, namely the setting: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord”. The king is dead, but the King of heaven lives forever. A royal succession is in the air, but the eternal King still reigns. The earthly throne is vacated, but the high throne remains ever occupied.

Is this not, what we ought most to see, in this day of the Queen’s death? The High King on his high throne – governing with righteousness and summoning souls to his kingdom and healing hearts with blood-bought grace and marching decisively toward his goal. Surprising things sometimes happen during transitions of earthly powers, and may this be one of them: where the heavens part, and a vision of glory shines forth to bless the living and to wake the dead and to stir the church to fresh devotion.

DM 17^th September 2022