Heaven's Open Door Series

Note: Some notes used from Preachers Sermon and Outline Bible on Revelation 4.

Title: How Beautiful Heaven Must Be

Theme:

Text: Revelation 4:1-11

Introduction

The Book of Revelation is as the name states a revelation from Jesus Christ to John.

John is also the author of the Book of John and 1,2,3 John. He is also known as the “beloved” the one who “leaned on Jesus Bosom”. He was close to Christ. Another little known fact is that he lived longer than any disciple.

Could you imagine what it was like as the disciples died around him. Each one martaryred and killed by the government and religious leaders. Yet John stayed alive.

We learned that he was boiled in oil and yet lived and finally exiled to the Isle of Patmos. Here it must have been lonely. That is for a short while until a visitation from the Savior himself.

Rev 1:10-18 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, (11) saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." (12) Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, (13) and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. (14) His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; (15) His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; (16) He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (17) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. (18) "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

What a visitation. This must have uplifted John’s spirit.

Then the Lord begins to show him some things about

Rev 1:19 "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

Promise of Revelation

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

In Revelation chapters 2 & 3 he deals with the present history through the seven churches. In this we see what happens to the church. These words were not only given for the church of the time but also to the present churches. In them we see some warnings and it is interesting how they are repeated today. The same issues of sin and false doctrine that we face today, the problems we face today much is found in these churches. It is almost as if the Lord is saying it is a two fold prophecy.

But something changes. As we arrive in chapter 4 we see not only a change in vision but a change in scenery. Let us now look into Revelation 4:1

Rev 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."

Three doors mentioned in Revelation.

1) There is the open door for evangelism and missions, (Rev. 3:8). the door which God opens to the churches for bearing witness to the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the opportunity that God opens for them to carry the gospel to their neighbors, communities, cities, states, and countries and world—even to the uttermost part of the earth.

"But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

2) There is the door of the human heart (Rev. 3:20).. When believers carry the message of the gospel to their neighbors, it is then up to the individual person to open the door of his heart and receive the gospel. The decision is the neighbor's. Every person has a door that has to be opened before Christ will enter—the door of his heart.