Revelation 4:1-13
Wednesday, 29 May 2024
Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” -Revelation 4:1
The visions that God showed John were to be handed over to the churches and they who read, hear and heed these things would be blessed (Rev.1:1-3). God’s intention was for John to record the visions and commit to the 7 churches mentioned so that they understand and conduct their activities in light of the message conveyed through those visions. In our reading John sees the vision of a door standing open in heaven and he gets an invitation to ascend into heaven in Spirit to witness the scenes in heaven and the things to take place through the ages.
The door in the Bible has great significance – as we understand those doors may the Holy Spirit help each of us to surrender to the authority of Jesus Christ.
· The Divine Door – Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the door for each person to enter into a relationship with God. Jesus said "… I am the door of the sheep," (John 10:7). He explains further in John 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” Here is an open invitation—God extends the invitation to all to enter through the divine door. God gives us the blessed assurance of eternity as we enter through the right door- Jesus Himself.
· The Door of Our Heart
In order to enter through the Divine Door, we need to open another door mentioned in Rev.3:20 which says: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.” This is the door of our heart. Jesus knocks at the door of every individual heart, asking for an entry into your life. Only if you willingly open the door of your heart, can He come in! The dining referred to is the fellowship you would have with Jesus. When you allow Him entry into your life, He needs to be on the throne of your life, directing and guiding your life in His purpose. Then you can be assured that He will take you through life victoriously until you reach eternity.
· An Open Door
God has kept an open door for His faithful ones. Rev.3:8: “I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one will shut, because you have a little power, and kept My word, and have not denied My name.” This door could mean a wide door of opportunity to serve the Lord. Paul, in Corinthians says of such an opportunity for service: “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” (1 Cor.16:9). When the Lord opens such a door, though there may be opposition, He will strengthen His faithful servants to do His work.
In Chapter Four of the book of Revelations there is a significant turn of the event. Through the opened door, John was transported in the spirit to the heavenly realm and He saw certain scenes in heaven – those were not dreams but real things happening in heaven. He saw the throne of God (Vs.2, 3) and twenty four elders sitting on their thrones around God’s throne. In verse 10 John saw those elders getting down from their thrones, casting their crowns before the throne of God and worshipping God.
God conveys a very significant message to each of us through those scenes. Whatever happens on the earth, the throne of God is still in heaven – irrespective of our condition, God’s sovereignty and rule is a reality and we cannot and should not ignore it. The elders, though they were seated on thrones wearing crowns, they counted their thrones and crowns insignificant before the glory, authority and sovereignty of God!
Would you cast your crowns of earthly glory before the King of Kings, in exchange of the divine glory He offers? (John17:22)
Would you open the door of your heart that Jesus Christ might reign in you? Would you heed to the invitation to enter through the divine door, Jesus Christ and serve Him through the open door kept for you?
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