DAY 15

A Door Standing Open in Heaven

‘After this I [John] looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first 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 there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.’ Revelation 4:1-2 (NIVUK)

Reflection

Before John is given a vision of what’s to come, he’s given a vision of who is reigning in heaven. Heaven is not distant. Access is granted through Jesus, and John is invited to “come up here” and see what is really going on. John saw with spiritual eyes; he looked, and his vision of heaven begins with an open door, and he once again hears the voice of Jesus beckoning him to enter. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, ‘Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.’ Hebrews 10:19-22 (NIVUK)

John says, ‘At once I was in the Spirit’ (v.2). This picture of heavenly worship immediately involves the Triune Godhead. It is the voice of Jesus that invites John into this glorious revelation, and it is the Holy Spirit that enables him to see it – they work in perfect union to show us the throne on which the Father is seated.

This moment is not an escape from earth’s troubles but a divine reframing of them. When we worship, we step through that same door. We see through heaven’s perspective, ‘The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. Let them praise your great and awesome name – he is holy.’ Psalm 99:1-3 (NIVUK). Earth looks different when seen from above. Before we fight battles or carry burdens, we are invited to look, to worship, and to remember who is ruling and reigning on the throne.

Devotional

by Ru Cullen

 

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