Isaiah 66:1- Heaven is my throne

In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Isaiah acknowledges the majesty of God and speaks of him as “high”.

• “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted” (Isaiah 6:1).
• The king of Babylon said, “I will raise my throne above the stars of God… I will make myself like the Most High…” (Isaiah 14:13-14). He was arrogant to so exalt himself, but he was right to call God the “Most High”(See Daniel 4:29-37).
• “The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high” (Isaiah 33:5).
• “Lift up your eyes on high and see who created these stars”(Isaiah 40:21-26).
• “Thus says the high and exalted one, I dwell on a high and holy place”(Isaiah 57:15)
• The arm of the Lord (his power for salvation) has been revealed to many, but few have believed. Isaiah goes on to say, “He was despised and rejected by men…” (Isaiah 53:3).
• “Thus says the Lord, Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool, where then is a house you could build for me?” (Isaiah 66:1). In the New Testament, this passage is quoted to emphasize that God is most high and ruler of the universe (Acts 7:48-50, cf Acts 17:24).

As well as in the Hebrew Bible, in the New Testament too we are taught of the most high God wanting men and women to know and seek him, and having revealed himself to the people of earth.

• God has sent the gospel, a message of good news into the world. “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news… who announces salvation” (Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:15).
• “Who has believed our report?” (Romans 10:16, Isaiah 53:1).
• “Eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed them to us by his Spirit” ( 1 Corinthians 2:6-10,Isaiah 64:1-4).
• “Behold I and the children whom the Lord has given me” (Isaiah 8:17-18, Hebrews 2:13).
• “I permitted myself to be sought by those who did not ask for me. I permitted myself to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation which did not call on my name” (Isaiah 65:1,Romans 10:20).
• “My name is blasphemed among the Gentiles” (Isaiah 52:5,Romans 2:24).
• “I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people”(Isaiah 65:2, Romans 10:21).
• What shall we do? “Come out from among them and be separate says the Lord… and you shall be my sons and daughters” (Isaiah 52:11, 2 Corinthians 6:17).