From Courtroom to Throne Room: Living Under Grace and Within the Veil
In recent days the Lord has shown me two revelations which, though they came separately, belong together. One arose as I pondered Paul’s words in Romans 6–8, the other as I stood before the Altar of Incense in Exodus 30:1-10 and Luke 1:8-10. Alone, each was luminous; together they are life-changing. They can be seen Here and Here
In Romans, Paul describes the believer’s transfer of jurisdiction. Under law, every failure is tallied and judgment is inevitable; under grace, the same sins are acknowledged as real, but their penalty has already been borne by Christ. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Our standing is secure, the verdict has been pronounced. We live under a new jurisdiction — not law’s regime of accusation, but grace’s realm of acquittal and life.
And Exodus 30 adds its picture. The Altar of Incense stood before the veil, as close as any old covenant priest could come to the immediate presence of God. Made of acacia-wood overlaid with gold, it foreshadows the redeemed: frail humanity clothed in the incorruptible righteousness of Christ. From it incense rose, prayers purified in Him. Yet the priest who ministered there still stood outside, the veil heavy between him and the Presence.
But when Christ died, the veil was torn. What had been two rooms became one. The altar — and with it the believer — now stands not outside but within, in the unveiled throne room of God. We are no longer servants lingering at the curtain but sons and daughters seated in the presence, clothed in Christ, welcomed and heard. Our prayers ascend as incense, not whispered through a partition but spoken before the throne itself.
Taken together, these two visions speak with one voice. In the courtroom we are acquitted — no condemnation. In the throne room we are welcomed — no separation. Grace has set the verdict in our favour and torn the veil before our eyes. We live under a new jurisdiction and within the unveiled Presence, clothed in Christ, praying with confidence, assured of being heard.
This is the gospel in all its wonder. Too good to be true, except that it is true.