A Door Open in Heaven

Door Standing Open

So often in life doors open and opportunities start. When the Apostle John sees his vision of the end of the church age, he writes, "After these things. . ."(Revelation 4:1).

After the church era in which we live no longer exists, the church will be taken away. Since you know that you are the church, guess who will be "caught up" when the door opens in heaven. That's right! You will be gone from all the strife, suffering, tears and hard work. Your opportunities for spiritual bliss begin.

When John sees a door standing open in heaven, he hears a voice like a trumpet saying come up here (v 1). Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:52b, ". . . for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised."

Voice Like a Trumpet

John hears a "voice like a trumpet." At the sound of the trumpet, the church will be gone. The "door" that John sees open becomes an avenue for the church to travel into the spiritual realm of heaven. The Lord says to John in Revelation 4:1b, ". . .come up here and I will show you what must take place after these things." We've determined that "after these things" represents the time when the church has been called out. Therefore, the "come up here" is the call for the church to go heavenward.

Recall if you will that the scripture says that heaven has 12 gates with three gates on each compass point side. These gates are never closed (Revelation 21:25). So the door opening in heaven represents a means for the believers to get from earth to heaven, not a door opening as we think of a door being opened.

What Is Shown First

John sees a throne whenever he arrives in heaven. I think that you will see the throne and God sitting on it the first thing. When your physical eyes close in death, your spiritual eyes will open and see your God sitting on his throne. John sees God as precious stones: a jasper and a sardis stone. And there was a rainbow around the throne, God's promise to mankind that the world wouldn't be destroyed again by water.

John also sees 24 lesser thrones with twenty elders sitting on these smaller thrones. These elders were dressed in white and have golden crowns on their heads. The elders are representative of two different ages of time. 12 of them represent the tribes of Israel and the Old Testament saints. The other 12 are the apostles who represent the New Testament church age.

There were flashes of lightnings, peals of thunder to indicate that judgment is about to take place. God sitting on the throne would be indicative of a judge. The tribulation that follows is horrendous. It's not a good time to be living on planet earth or any other planet for that matter.

There were seven lampstands before the throne that represents the seven spirits of God. Isaiah writes that Jesus has these seven spirits in 11:2. These seven spirits show the integrity of Jesus while he was on earth as a God/man.

A sea of glass appeared before the throne, clear as crystal. Also, there were four living creatures, created beings, before the throne. These created beings have six wings and are full of eyes all around. Their purpose day and night is to cry holy, holy, holy. It is their job to be sure that nothing unholy ever comes near God.

The Scroll with Seven Seals

In the hand of God was a scroll. The scroll was sealed with seven seals. The scroll is in reality the title deed to the earth. At the present time, Satan is lord over the earth. Adam gave him dominion over the earth whenever he disobeyed God and ate the fruit.

When the search goes out in heaven, on earth and under the earth for one who is worthy to break the seals and none is found, John weeps much. He knows the importance for the earth for the seals to be broken. God wants his creation back, and no one can be found to help.

However, one in heaven appears who can indeed break the seals. Notice also that a strong angel takes the scroll. Why a strong angel? If he is that strong and can't break the seals, then who can?

One of the elders told John to stop crying because there was one who could open the seals. He had earned the right because of the suffering he bore. The one is identified as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah." Already, we know who this is. It is Jesus!

John sees between the throne and the elders a lamb as if slain standing. The lamb looked as if it had been slain. However, the lamb had seven horns--power and authority perfected. The lamb had seven eyes as well--perfect vision to know all things. It also had the seven spirits of God--perfect knowledge and wisdom.

At this point all in heaven join in a great praise and worship session. They are worshiping the Lamb because he has the authority to break the seals and take back God's creation.

Another Purpose for the Open Door

The open door in heaven also represents the beginning of the tribulation period. The open door allows the angels who have been created for the very purpose to perform their duties as each seal is broken. The seals will be broken in chapter six of Revelation. All kinds of havoc take place as Jesus begins to break the seals.

Not only does the open door allow for the Seals to be broken, but as the last seal is broken, the trumpet judgments begin. There are seven of them, and the destructive force that takes place on the earth cannot be compared.

Then, following the trumpet judgments are seven bowl judgments. All the 21 judgments along with the 1000 year reign, return God's creation to the point it was when he looked at it and said, "It is very good."

Putting It Together

So you see that the open door of Revelation 4 allows the believers of the church age to go home. The opening becomes an avenue for the church age to end, the church to get into heaven and a way for the tribulation to begin.

When everything is complete, Satan will be defeated, God's creation will be returned to him, and then he will give everything to Christ. When Jesus said in Matthew that all authority had been given to him in heaven and earth, he truly meant it.

When Jesus said, "It is finished," his last words on the cross, he knew all the above would take place. He made the way for the door to open for you, for the church and for the whole world. Christ's work on the cross was more than a way for you to get out of hell and into heaven. He gave back to God his whole creation.

If you have questions or comments, leave them below. I'll get back really soon.

Blessings,

Howard

PS: two things I would love for you to check out:

1. My free study on REST. Go here and ask for my free study.

2. My new novel, The Red-Haired Master Shepherd. Go here.

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