BETWEEN EARTH AND HEAVEN IS AN OPEN DOOR
Colossians 3:2 "Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth." Revelation 4:1 "After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven."
John lived in the same world in which we live in the midst of brokenness. But he looked, and beholds, an open door, open into heaven, that gives comfort, encouragement, and perspective.
OPEN DOOR OF - Power -- Promise -- Praise
From Rev 1:9 we learn John was in exile, banned to lonely island, destitute on account of persecution because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, John’s world, then, had become so very small -- a little island in a big sea.... And he was powerless to break out of it....
John seen Jesus’ works had seen His miracles, His power. The blind received their sight, the lame walked, lepers were cleansed. He’d been arrested, crucified, broken, dead.... by the power of God Christ had risen from the dead. He saw the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the enormous growth of the church.
And then John’s world, fell apart, Stephen was martyred, and persecution broke out against the church.... the gospel continued to be preached, but the mass converts of the early days no longer occurred. Churches were instituted in throughout Asia Minor, but they’re small..., and beset with strife. In Rev 2 and 3 Christ relates to John His church reports. And what does He say?
1. Ephesus, He says that the place is doctrinally sound, but lost their first love --
2. Smyrna Jesus says that difficult days are ahead, for persecution is coming....
3. Pergamos is internally divided there is a group known as the Nicolaitans, who want to build a compromise with the world those who think that light can co-exist with darkness.
4. Thyatira allows Jezebel to belong in their midst..., and so tolerates idolatry in the church.
5. Sardis, Jesus says, is dead.
6. Philadelphia, on the other hand, is good, alive. But, Jesus adds, this church is weak, ineffective in their community. The powerful works of the early church are not there....
7. And Laodicea is lukewarm...
OPEN DOOR OF - Power
"After these things" John "looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!" We need to know: the way the verb is written in the Greek indicates that the door was once set open and now stays open! This door did not shut, and will not shut. John is invited to pass through the door himself.
What John sees: He saw a throne, and we understand: the throne represents authority, government.
On the throne John saw One sitting. - A King - sitting. He’s not riding out to battle, not working to overcome challenges against his throne, but is seated securely on that throne - there are no threats to His dominion. He is King triumphant. This king is like jasper, sardius. He who sits on the throne is divine. He Is The Ruling One --Psa. 45:6.
The "jasper" is clear and bright. It is possible that it is the same as a diamond and it speaks of "firmness". This comparison reminds us that our God is "firm and unchanging the "sardine" stone is a blood red stone
John sees a sea of glass, like crystal in its clarity, the sea of glass again pointed up the majesty of the One who sat on the throne.
The prophet Ezekiel had seen these living creatures also and called them cherubim (Ezek 1, 10) angels. The one has a face like a lion -- The second has a face like a calf -- The third has the face of an eagle -- The fourth has the face of a man --The Lion pictures Jesus as He is portrayed in the Gospel of Matthew -- The Lion of the tribe of Judah. As a Lion, Jesus possesses majesty, power ad authority. ƒnThe Calf pictures Jesus as He is portrayed in the Gospel of Mark -- The Suffering Servant. As a servant, Jesus demonstrated service and strength. The Man pictures Jesus as He is portrayed in the Gospel of Luke -- The Son of Man. As the Son of Man, Jesus possesses perfect intelligence and absolute moral righteousness. The Eagle pictures Jesus as He is portrayed in the Gospel of John -- The Son of God come down from Heaven. As the Son of God, Jesus possesses majesty and transcendence
OPEN DOOR OF - Promise
It is worthy to note that the "Sardius" and the "Jasper" were the first and last stones in the breastplate of the High Priest, Ex. 28:17-21. The "sardius" represented the tribe of Reuben, and the "jasper" represented the tribe of Benjamin. These two stones were representative of all twelve stones and were a reminder that God always kept His people and His covenants with His people close to His heart. In other words, these stones were a constant reminder that God would keep His Word and do everything He had promised to do
There’s a rainbow around the throne, a reminder that God would never again destroy the earth through a flood but would instead permit day and night, cold and heat, summer and winter to continue; life would remain possible on earth. Gen. 9:11-17
John says that around throne are 24 more thrones with 24 elders seated on them. From throne came lightning’s, thundering, and voices. This combination of lightning’s, thundering and voices reminds of Ex 19, that chapter that describes God’s coming to Israel in majesty to make covenant with unworthy people. The vision John sees is God, the God who does not change, who keeps His covenant. The same God who established His covenant with Israel long ago remains enthroned in heaven, in full control of all! The word "elders" is never used to refer to angels in the Bible. They seem to be a representative people. In Rev. 21:12-14, the New Jerusalem is described as having twelve gates names after the 12 tribes of Israel. It is built on twelve foundations which contain the names of the 12 Apostles. Twelve plus twelve equals twenty-four! I believe that these twenty-four elders represent the redeemed people of God of both the Old Testament and New Testament.
They are sitting on "seats". This is the same word translated "throne" in verse 2. Thus, they are seen to be reigning with God. The saints will reign with Him some day, 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 1:6; Rev. 2:26-27.
In the Old Testament, David appointed 24 Levites to represent the entire priesthood, 1 Chron. 23, 28. When a meeting was necessary, it would have been impossible to gather every one of the thousands of Levites together; but when the twenty-four came together, they represented the whole body. The same is true of these Elders. They represent the entirety of the redeemed saints of God! We are seated in Jesus in Heaven today, Eph. 2:6. That is our positional situation. Practically, I am still in this world; living, laboring and longing for Heaven. One day, we will be where God has already positioned us! They are "clothed in white raiment". White garments in the Bible speak of "the righteousness of the saints", Rev. 19:8. They have "on their heads crowns of gold".
John sees seven lamps, which, he says, are the seven Spirits of God, the Holy Spirit in His fullness. This Spirit is true God, yet dwells in and with His people.
a sea of glass like unto crystal" -- This crystal sea speaks of God’s judgment as being form and fixed. On this earth, there is nothing more constantly changing or in motion than the ocean. The sea is never still and it is never the same. This sea is solid and unmoving! Judgment is fixed and it cannot be altered!
If you will remember, there was a "sea of brass" called "the laver" outside the tent of the Tabernacle. Before the priests entered the tent they were required to wash in the laver. It symbolized cleansing and forgiveness of sin. How many times have I stopped at the laver of 1 John 1:9 and washed my sins and my stains away? I thank God that there is a place of forgiveness and restoration today.
OPEN DOOR OF - Praise
These living creatures sing ceaselessly: ’Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!’ The elders on the 24 thrones join them in singing, and what do they say? "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power!" Why? "For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." The one who sits on the throne in heaven is the God who God created heaven and earth, All the majesty John saw around and on the throne of heaven draws out how completely heaven above rules over the earth beneath. They declare His "worthiness". They declare His power. They declare His right to rule and reign. They declare their agreement with what He is about to do in the world. They declare the fact that He made the world and all that is in it. It is His and He can do with it as He pleases! (Ill. There will be no songs about evolution in glory!) Heaven will literally throb with the praises of God!
On the earth John saw only brokenness, disillusionment. What started so wonderfully in the ministry of Jesus Christ and the outpouring of His Holy Spirit had seemed far away; according to the evidence one sees on earth, heaven was obviously closed.... The word "looked upon" in verse 3 is the Greek word horasis it gives great emphasis. It shows that John was absolutely overcome when he saw the throne. He could only stand and stare and not take his eyes off the Lord. We should be totally occupied with the person of Christ and should have no desire to look elsewhere.
There are, says the Lord, two realms to this existence, and between these two is an open door. What is one to say, then, of all the brokenness on the earth beneath? In the midst of this brokenness John must feast his eyes on the glory of heaven! We live on this earth, congregation, and here we look around us. What do we see? We see just this earth, a closed world..., and so much turmoil, strife -- even amongst brethren. What the eye sees is so discouraging.... For that reason the Lord directs us to a reality the naked eye cannot see, directs us to that open door!
The One sitting in verses two and three is identified as the Lord God Almighty in verse eight. He is described in terms of two precious stones which were the first and last stones in the breastplate of the High priest.
Around the throne was a rainbow the light green colour of an emerald, the rainbow of brilliant flashing gems was a vivid reminder of the faithfulness of God Genesis 9:11-17 This rainbow completely encircles the throne of God which intimates that the ancient promise of the covenant with Noah will stand forever.
The original rainbow of Genesis 9:11-17 spoke of God’s covenant with Noah and included "all flesh that is on the earth." Never again would the earth be judged by a universal flood. In addition, the emerald stone in the High Priest’s breastplate, stood for Levi, the priestly tribe. The Levitical offerings of Leviticus 1-5 spoke of the work of Christ on the cross. Emerald is a colour of propitiation through Christ. Because of Him we have "peace with God" (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 5:26-28).
In the New Testament, elders as the highest officials in the church are spiritual rulers of the whole church (Acts 15:6; 20:28), Furthermore, only the church which is raptured before chapter four is properly complete in heaven and eligible for reward at the judgment seat of Christ. In that case the crowns of gold on the heads of the elders would seem to confirm the idea that these may be representative of the church in glory,
The figure 24 has a counterpart in the tribe of Levi being divided into twenty four courses of priests in David’s time - 1 Chronicles 24. The twenty four courses of priests represented the whole. We have the opportunity for rewards but we also need to have put on white garments the imputed righteousness of Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:21 Here we see the centrality of Jesus Christ on the throne surrounded by 24 crowned elders. Christ should also be the centre of our lives as we have been redeemed by Him and sit with Him in heavenly places.
The narrative continues in verse 5 with the throne being the centre of discussion. The word "throne" itself is mentioned no less than twelve times in the whole chapter. The "lightnings, and voices and thunders" depict an all Inspiring scene that prophetically relate God’s forthcoming judgments upon the earth (Revelation 8:5;11:9, 16:18] The thunderings lightning and voices give a portent of the coming storm.
John’s attention is also directed to seven lamps of fire that are seen burning before the throne. The word "lamp" properly means "torch" as in Revelation 8:10, representing the fullness of the Holy Spirit (as in 1:4; 3:1; 5:6). As believers we must remember we have the perfect spirit with all the absolute characteristics as represented by the Jewish minora inside us for ever.
They first mention the divine attribute of holiness ’to God (Isaiah 6:3). The three-fold statement regarding God is accompanied by the words ’who was, and is, and is to come’ This is recognition of the fact that when God executes judgment His attribute of holiness is one of the means which He employs. It also shows that God is eternal and His plan is eternal as well and will be fulfilled.
