“After this I 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 (“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…” (1 Corin. 15:51-52)) I WAS IN THE SPIRIT (“Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together…” (1 Thess. 4:17)), and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone (Jesus) sitting on it.” (Revelation 4:1,2)
This verse begins the last, and largest portion of the Revelation. This writing began with a description of John’s reception of this Revelation, and a message from Jesus to SEVEN CHURCHES which existed in John’s era. This segment describes those things which were YET TO OCCUR when John saw this vision. After describing messages to seven churches in chapters 2 and 3, John is now given information regarding the “END TIMES” of the world. There is NO MENTION OF THE CHURCH from here on because the Church has been “CAUGHT UP”.
The open door symbolically affirms that God has made heaven ACCESSIBLE TO ALL SAVED INDIVIDUALS. Of course, admission is available only to those who believe on Jesus as their Savior. Speaking to His disciples about heaven, Jesus said, “I am the way…No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). John, who recorded those words from Jesus and now sees an open door in heaven, was a believer and therefore already held assurance that HE WOULD ENTER HEAVEN SOMEDAY. However, seeing the open door in heaven when he lived in exile on Patmos must have surprised him. Jesus beckoned John to enter heaven, where Jesus would SHOW HIM FUTURE EVENTS.
“Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “YOU ARE WORTHY, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For YOU created all things, And by YOUR will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:9-11)
“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was TEN THOUSAND TIMES TEN THOUSAND, AND THOUSANDS OF THOUSANDS, (trillions and trillions) saying with a loud voice: “WORTHY IS THE LAMB who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:11-12) The number of Angels is unknown but there are great numbers of them. There is significantly more Angels than all of mankind through the ages. The Biblical accounts describe the number of angels using various terms… “an INNUMERABLE company of Angels” (Hebrews 12:22) “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham