Was the door to heaven open?
After the message to the seven Churches, John looked up to heaven and saw the open door. NET. John, after hearing the voice, was immediately in spirit. “After these things I looked, and there was a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice I heard speaking to me like a trumpet said: Come up here so that I can show what must happen after this thing.” Revelation 4:1, John was now in a vision. The vision he observed was a long mural portraying the history of the conflict between good and evil. The vision clarifies why Jesus had to come to Earth. The scenes in the mural portray Jesus and his accomplishments on behalf of helpless humanity. Then, the vision clarifies what remains to transpire before Jesus’ promised return to the earth.
The first image John observed was a throne. He must have realized immediately that Jesus was sitting on a throne as God and the King of kings, as he said. “And the one seated on it was like jasper and carnelian in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald encircled the throne.” Revelation 4:2 – 3, NET. John and the believers in the first century Church needed the assurance that Jesus did ascend to heaven, as he said. John now sees him in indescribable glory. No words can describe the Glory of God. God’s greatest glory for the fallen and redeemed humankind is that he loves us. He is always with us and walks among us. However, God’s greatest glory is the selfless love he bestowed on us, the sinners.
There should be no doubt in the mind of the believers that Jesus Christ has defeated the Enemy of God, Satan, and has taken back ownership of the earth, its people, and the entire universe where the earth is. Jesus reassures believers of all ages that he earned the right to sit on the throne as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Also, Jesus, in the vision, assures the believers that he will, at the right time, return to the earth to take his bride, the faithful, to his Father’s house for the wedding banquet.
Continued in the next blog.