Hey there Simonthezealot! You state this: among a few other things......I looked it up in my Bible and sure enough that's what it says! But the passage is not saying that the throne of grace isn't surrounded by angels and saints........see the Book of Revelation for this Scriptural proof! Ummmm...........
"Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." I few words different than the one you use, but I'll try to explain.....Let's see, God is asking us to draw near to His throne, where He is eternally.......that would be in Heaven and He is King there, and Mary is Queen! and the allusion to this fact is in one of the titles we use for her mentioned in the above Scripture, Mary, "with confidence." Now who else could I pray with but God's own Mother if I feel my prayers might not be quite what they need to be as I approach that throne with CONFIDENCE! My CONFIDENCE IS IN HER! So, "WITH CONFIDENCE" I give my words to Him through her. Does that make sense? Hope so. I'll go on, taking liberites here.......so fearing God as I should, I hope to obtain MERCY from that Throne where God is seated judging me as I approach through prayer.... Ummmmm should I fear God? He says I should! I am just a sinner and since there is help needed for me, at least in approaching His throne of Mercy, perhaps asking a few of His Saints to help me ask......oooooops......there I've gone and done it now...admitted I'm just a sinner and need lots and lots of help in obtaining the goal of my approach through prayer, the intercession of His Saints............so I think I'll ask with CONFIDENCE as the Scripture says, but my cnfidence is Mary's graces and I don't even mind asking through the intercession of a few more of His Holy folks, errrr Saints that is.............After all they are there as Scripture says surrounding His throne (please see the Book of Revelations for this proof) Now I don't know how you feel about God, but for me Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom! Does this make any sense? Maybe I could talk myself out of fearing Him, but that sounds reeeeeeally stupid to this gal, as in a dull conscience. oops I think I got off track and dinner's ready. Gotta go!
May God bless you and your household with love for all His Holy ones and may the peace of Christ remain with you.
Peace and all good,
Gail
P.S. I really don't understand why some folks throw away the help of His Holy Ones. They are there after all in Heaven.....the ultimate goal of our salvation........if I don't believe they're there, will it be long before I despair of much of Christianity in other regards? It's a package deal! Giving up praying to the Saints as well as God seems like I'd be throwing away a great big gift God gave me - the Church in Heaven!