Bogren – Seated on the Throne

Shiloh surveyed the valley below from the comfort of a throne that sat perched at the crest of a snowy ridge on top of the mountain. Wisdom stood to her left, with her hand resting on Shiloh’s shoulder. Gloriel stood beside Wisdom, her gaze fixed on a bird circling below. On the far side of the valley, streams of living water collided, forming a massive waterfall that cascaded to the valley floor.  As they took in the view, the yellow-green fields and turquoise waterfalls slowly became a field of stars. Galaxies and nebula seemed to form out of nothing and a familiar planet appeared. Slowly, the blue planet drew nearer. Gloriel ended the silence. “What do you see, Shiloh?”

“The earth and the stars, why?”

Gloriel smiled. “Look closer.”

Shiloh looked again. The blue planet became shrouded in a thick mass of dark, swirling clouds.”

“Darkness,” Shiloh replied. “It’s like the whole earth is covered in darkness. What does it mean?”

“What do you think it means?”

“The earth is shrouded in darkness…like some kind of evil force is in control of it?”

“Yes. And here you are, Shiloh. High above the powers of darkness, seated on a throne in heaven.”

“I’ve been sitting here thinking about this throne, Gloriel. A throne is a place of rulership, isn’t it? It’s a seat that gives you authority…authority to do things. Like make decrees and establish order, right?”

“That’s right, Shiloh.”

“What kind of authority does this throne give me?”

“That’s a question you may want to ask Wisdom.”

Shiloh stood and turned to face Wisdom, whose eyes glowed with the same fire she saw in the eyes of another. “If this throne grants me authority to rule, I need to know how to rule with wisdom. Can you help me?”

“As one who sits upon a heavenly throne, whatever you decree from the throne will come to pass in the realm over which the throne and its mountain have governing authority. With the provision of course, that the decree is made in agreement with a mandate you have from the king and that it’s in accordance with his will.”

“That means I need to have a mandate from the king, I suppose.”

“You already have one, my dear. We all do. One of my mandates is to impart wisdom to those who seek it. Gloriel has a mandate to guard and assist you. You have mandates as well.”

“I do?”

“Yes, Shiloh. There are many mandates you have been given. They were written on the scroll of your destiny before you were formed in your mother’s womb.”

“How do I find out what they are?”

“There are many ways to discover your mandates. One way is to examine your scroll. Another is to examine your throne. Look closely at it, Shiloh. Do you see the insignia on it?”

Shiloh felt the embroidered material on the backrest of the throne that was stitched with gold thread in the shape of a piano. “I don’t quite understand…”

“I think you do,” Wisdom replied.

“Does this throne have something to do with…music?”

“It does. Part of what is written on your scroll of destiny involves your influence in the world of music. Most of how you’ll influence that particular realm is determined by what you do here on this throne on the mountain of music. Each mountain has governmental authority over something unique. And as you can see, this one gives you influence and authority in the realms of music.”

“I’m sorry to be so thick-headed, Wisdom, but I don’t see the connection between what I do here on this mountain and what goes on down there on earth.”

Wisdom smiled and took Shiloh’s hand. “You are a delight, my dear and there’s no need to apologize. I’ll make everything clear to you. The desire of the king is that just as things are established here in heaven, they would likewise be established on earth. Whatever you choose to establish from your throne and on your mountain here, will be manifest on earth in the sphere that corresponds to the governmental authority of the mountain.

“I see. Now that makes sense. As for all that darkness, I still don’t see how little old me sitting on my throne of music can make a dent in all that evil.”

“Let’s talk about limitations. Each mountain does have a limited sphere of governance. And each individual has a limited level of authority. However, as you rule with wisdom and righteousness your level of authority increases. You should also consider the fact that you have more than one mountain over which you have authority and each mountain has its own sphere of influence.”

“I have other mountains?”

“Of course you do,” Wisdom said, as she turned to look at a mountain range in the distance. “Shiloh, do you see those mountains? Each one governs something unique.”

“Those are my mountains?” Shiloh exclaimed.

“Some of them are.”

“Holy cats, this is intense! Okay…I think I’m beginning to understand. So whatever I do on my other mountains will influence the other areas that I have authority over?”

“Exactly. Now let’s consider the problem of darkness on the earth. Do you understand that the will of the king is that darkness would be abolished on the earth?”

“Yes, I understand that, but how do I get rid of darkness on the earth from here on my mountain?”

“A mountain is the place where you work things out as they ought to be. A throne is a place of authority. It empowers you to make changes to the mountain. A simple way to remove darkness is to bring light to the places where darkness is entrenched. Increasing the light and the glory upon your mountain is a good strategy to begin with. ”

“And how do I do that?” Shiloh asked timidly.

“You might begin by planting a garden…right here, on this mountain.”

Shiloh walked to a small, patch of ground that was bare and stared at it for a moment, thinking. She looked at Wisdom. “I’ll be right back,” she said as she disappeared into a ravine.

“You’re a wonderful teacher,” Gloriel said to Wisdom. “I think she’s catching on.”

“She’s an excellent student, and I know with your help she’ll do well.”

Shiloh reappeared with a handful of flowers that radiated rainbows of light. She dug holes in the ground with her bare hands and planted the flowers in the patch of ground. She stepped off a ledge in front of the throne and glided across the valley to the river of life. She returned a moment later with a crystal pitcher full of water and poured it on the flowers, which immediately began to grow larger.  The light coming from the flowers glowed with greater intensity.

“Shiloh, listen,” Gloriel said.

Shiloh bent down to hear and noticed the faint sound of music coming from the flowers.

“Oh, I just love this!” Shiloh said.

“This is how it’s done,” Wisdom replied. “Establish a place of light, life and love here, on your mountain. And whatever you establish here will have a similar effect on earth. You may not be able to eradicate all of the darkness on earth, but you can change much of it. And if the others are willing to occupy their thrones on their own mountains, together you can effect great changes in the earth.”