Week 52 Day 4

November 24, 2022

Jesus Gives a Glimpse of Heaven

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-11(NIV)

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 I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Devotional

Chapter four in Revelation begins an apocalyptic vision of heaven, along with the celestial and earthly battles along the way. In John’s vision, he saw an open door and heard the voice of Jesus from heaven saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” This last book of the Bible is an unfolding of that visionary encounter.

Throughout the book of Revelation, Jesus is the focal point. Here, He is sitting on the throne in heaven, surrounded by the twelve tribes of the Old Testament and the twelve apostles of the New Testament. They represent all of God’s redeemed, who will give glory and honor to Him!

The four living creatures are a reference to Ezekiel 1, where the prophet envisioned these animals. Not only all of humanity, but also all wild beasts, tamed animals, and birds of the sky are for God’s glory!

Then there is Isaiah 6, in which that prophet said, “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” God will be praised!

Indeed, Jesus is the One who was, and is, and is to come. He existed before time. Colossians 1:15-20 captures this truth: “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross”

Take time now to thank Jesus for who He is and all He does. When it comes to this captivating vision of heaven, remember that Jesus said, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).