Looking into Heaven - Pt. 1

 

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. (Revelation 4:1-6 ESV).

 

Our reading today is a part of a much longer section of John’s vision (cf. Revelation 4-5). The focus shifts to a new and powerful story of God’s ongoing mission. This new section begins with John seeing “a door standing open in heaven.” This picture surprises us because we know that an open door often extends an invitation to come in. This is an enticing opportunity because heaven is often considered a place of mysteries that we do not have access to. For the most part, it is God’s secret—at least from our day-to-day living in this life. But here Jesus opens heaven’s door. And in a voice like a trumpet, he welcomes John, saying, “Come up here.”

 

The invitation promises to reveal “what must take place after this.” But as John tells the story of walking through heaven’s open door, the future is not the first thing that catches his attention. Instead, he sees “a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.” We will look at the description of what he sees in more detail over the coming days; however, today do not miss the significance that through heaven’s open door John is standing before the throne of all thrones, from which everything in heaven and on earth is loved and cared for.

 

These verses are some of the most encouraging in the Revelation. It shows us the purpose of our heavenly Father to bring all things under the loving, gracious will of Jesus. Still today, the Holy Spirit opens heaven’s door wide so that we can visualize this scene and let its story encourage us to live by faith in Jesus today. Strengthen your faith today!