阅读经文 

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。

启示录用了大部分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，祂也是世人的救世主，祂说：“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。

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.