which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
A. Thrones.  These are said to be the ancestors of all chairs.  In ancient societies, only the king sat.  The throne of Solomon is described in Scripture as a magnificent elevation, ascended by six steps, with a lion on each side, and also a lion on each side of the six steps, fourteen lions in all, for "the Lion of the tribe of Judah."  Michael Feodorovich, grandfather of Peter the Great, had a great throne, ornamented with 8,000 turquoises, 1,500 rubies, and many other gems.  The throne of England is a gothic chair occupied by the queen upon the occasion of the opening of Parliament.  The throne of Christ, of course, is no material device of ivory or gold.  He reigns upon the throne "of his father David."  It is exalted forever in the heavens, and the enthronement is spoken of by an apostle as his resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:30,31).  The throne of Christ is established as a spiritual reality in statements like these: "He has prepared his throne for judgment"  (Psalms 9:7), and "And his throne is upheld by mercy"  (Proverbs 20:18).  The New Testament has this: "Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need"  (Hebrews 4:16).