Why the Kingdom of Heaven Will Never Shut Down

The end of 2025 saw the longest government shutdown in United States (U.S.) history. As an Australian, I found this particularly interesting, as we have never had anything quite like it down under. A brief walk through history shows that during the past 50 years there have been a total of 22 U.S. federal government shutdowns. Some of these lasted for only a short time: one to three days. But naturally, the longer the shutdown, the greater the impact is on federal government employees and on the public. With that said, as I reflected on this latest shutdown and the history of all former shutdowns, I started to think about another government.

In Revelation 4, John sees a door opened into the very throne room of heaven. Revelation 4:2-5 shares the description of what he saw: “Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” This picture that John sees must have been awesome. John sees that in the throne room of the universe in heaven there is a throne, and it is not vacant. There is a God present who sits on the throne. He is in control. What a relief it is for us to see Him there!

God’s government is in full swing; there’s no shutdown looming in heaven.

God’s throne is surrounded by a rainbow, reminding us of His covenant with Noah. Not only this, but the Bible describes “lightnings, thunderings, and voices” proceeding from God’s throne. In other words, the throne room of heaven is described by John as the nerve center of the universe, abuzz with activity. God’s government is in full swing; there’s no shutdown looming in heaven. Hallelujah!

But what kind of activity is going on in heaven’s throne room? Ellen White wrote: “The Bible shows us God in His high and holy place, not in a state of inactivity, not in silence and solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy beings, all waiting to do His will. Through these messengers He is in active communication with every part of His dominion. By His Spirit He is everywhere present. Through the agency of His Spirit and His angels He ministers to the children of men.”[*]

Wow. As you go about your day may this royal reality recharge your heart! The kingdom of heaven will never shut down; God is always working for you. What a God we serve!

[*] Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assoc., 1905), p. 417.