LOOK, ARISE, ENTER

Friday, I spoke at an online conference for the largest Bible school in the world. They have more than 17,000 schools around the globe in more than seventy-five languages including Hebrew, Farsi, and Zulu.

I wanted to encourage the local church leaders who have been devastated by Covid-19, isolation, and no vaccine coming to their country yet. On top of that they are trying to learn how to do virtual ministry.

I challenged them that in these uncertain times worship is more important than ever. Being discipled in worship is what makes you a mature worshipper. I reminded them of John, Jesus closest friend, who at the age of eighty was isolated in his secret place or hiding place and saw the glories of heaven during a worship moment.

“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 4:1-2

When you look into heaven what do you see? Angels singing in mighty chorus; cherubs and seraphs playing guitars; the over-comers, and the redeemed singing and playing instruments of praise; leaders on their knees bowed low with faces to the ground; throwing all their crowns—their symbols of status and accomplishments; casting all degrees and pedigrees before The Sovereign One on the throne. Is that what your worship looks like?

Revelation is a picture of a pastor in transcendent worship bowed before, not just a vision but a Victor. John was not overcome by oppressive circumstances that surrounded and assaulted him. This church leader went to the secret place of worship.

In this verse John said, "As I looked, I saw.” John didn’t glance casually. Seeing he saw. Have you given up? Are you looking? Are you seeking God with anticipation and hope? God says to you, “Look!” Focus your vision in the right direction.

What John saw was "an open door in heaven.” An open door is unrestricted access. This door was an invitation to look in, and come into the eternal realm--the third heaven. God wants you to “look up” and “look in.” This voice comes from the highest heaven and sounds like a trumpet blast—loud and clear. Jesus is speaking with authority and power.

God may be speaking to you right now with authority. The trumpeted voice said, “Come!” This is an invitation to John to draw closer. Jesus is inviting you to come, move toward Him, nearer to your Master and Messiah.

Then Jesus said, "up here.” The Lord is commanding John to come up where the voice is coming from. Jesus was much higher than John, and was invited to ascend. Do you hear Jesus’ voice to you, “Arise, get up!” Don’t stay down, defeated and depressed. Get up, time to arise, Jesus calling you to Himself—to come up to where He is.

2020 was a hard year. We were isolated and separated. we learned to get close to Jesus; hide ourselves in the secret place of God’s manifest presence.

Jesus said, "I will show you what must happen after this.” John is given a promise that Jesus will reveal something unknown about the future.

I sense Jesus is saying to you, “Arise, look up. I want to show you something.” But not just anything “something that must happen after this.” Something that MUST occur, take place, materialize, or become a reality; after what occurred previously… after Covid, after financial stress, after job loss, after sickness, or after this hard year.

There is a “what-must-happen-after-this” moment for you. When you look, arise and enter you will be like John “instantly in the Spirit.” Immediately, at that very moment, a spiritual phenomenon occurs. John is absorbed, or taken up, by the Spirit of God. Perhaps caught up into a spiritual trance and saw the visions of God.

Was it a physical transportation into the realms of eternity? Perhaps like the Apostle Paul, John didn’t know if he was “in the body or out of the body.” Somehow, John found himself in the third heaven as real as if he was physically. He had his senses—his ears heard, his eyes saw, his mouth spoke and his heart had the capacity to weep.

At that moment he “saw a throne in heaven.” The miracle that occurred was that John saw and beheld the throne, the celestial cathedra of God. The center of all eternal power and authority signifying God’s sovereignty and right to rule.

“I saw someone sitting on it.” Not only does John see the celestial chair of eternal authority, but John sees its occupant. John was allowed to see the burning throne of God’s power.

Jack Hayford said, “The seat of God’s spiritual power is seen in worship. God’s mightiest works of supernatural power occur when God’s people invite the king into their worship. “You are holy you who are enthroned on the praises of your people.”’ (Ps 22:3)

Jesus is speaking to you right now. The door of heaven is open to you—look. Get up and enter. I encourage you to respond to the voice of Jesus to come up where He is. He wants you to see that Someone is sitting on the throne. Nothing is out of control. God is still in charge. Don’t be imprisoned by your doubt, despair, or feeling sorry for yourself. Get up, look up, and come up! There is a future for you! There is a “what-must-happen-after-this” for you. Jesus wants to show it to you.

What is your response? Have you had a similar experience or revelation?