A Revelation Invitation

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.” (Revelation 4:1 ESV)

Shortly before Christmas my wife and I took two of my grandchildren to a candy store to do some shopping. It’s a small, Victorian house with a giant box of chocolates displayed on its roof. As we walked through the door, the older one’s eyes popped with wonder at the lovely Christmas decorations and spectacular displays of chocolates and other treats. “It’s magical,” she gasped.

My granddaughter’s reaction certainly pales compared to how John must have responded when he peered through that open door. While he was certainly in awe of what he witnessed, he was not invited to heaven to be entertained. Jesus had a greater purpose. Through that door John caught a glimpse of the heavenly throne enabling him to carry out his mission of presenting God’s message to his church.

A couple of verses earlier Jesus had urged the Laodicean church to invite him into their fellowship. Now Jesus turns this around by opening a door to heaven inviting John (and his readers) into God’s fellowship and worship.

When John received this vision, he was in exile. No doubt he wrestled with the darkness and futility of his situation. This invitation from Jesus changed his perspective. This glorious, heavenly scene showed him that his present darkness was not God’s perspective on John’s prospects nor on the church’s future. In this scene God revealed that theirs was a bright, hope-filled future. Because God cannot be shaken, their future was also secure. Therefore, the outcome of their present struggles was certain—victory! Victory over Rome and its oppression! Victory over sin and death! John was getting to see behind the scenes so that he could make sense of his and the church’s circumstances. This vision shined the light of hope on their dark world.

The open door was right before John through which he could see this other reality. Heaven is not some distant realm. It is close at hand. “Come up” doesn’t require spacial action; it is an invitation to traverse the “distance” between our own dark circumstances and God’ glory, a glory that is always close at hand. Every time we pray we cross that divide. Through each meditation into God’s word we “come up” to God’s glorious, heavenly presence. Let us always accept the invitation to look through that door into the throne room of God. It will change our perspective.

Lord Jesus, you are not far from me. Even from heaven where you sit with your Father on his throne, you are always close at hand. Open that door to me that I may see you as you are. Give me eyes to see the world and my circumstances from your perspective. Assure me that you will care for me to the end. Amen.