A Notable Shift

READ Revelation 4

John’s focus is radically changed as is noted in verse 1, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”

This verse brings a change in scene and a change in time. John, to this point, has spoken about things of the past and of the present. Now he is ushered into heaven where he will encounter the things concerning the future. John was going to be shown things which would be the culmination of God’s plan for the future. Chapters 4 and 5 deal with events taking place at the throne in heaven and are introductory to all that follows in the Book. John had seen messengers of the churches as described in chapters 2 and 3.  Now it was time to reveal the full scope of God’s plan as He would describe the last events of the history of the world and God’s blueprint for the ages to come.

Dr. David Sorenson states on page 388 “Understanding Revelation”, “There may be a thinly veiled hint at the Rapture. When the ‘Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God’ at the Rapture, the command uttered to the saints may be, ‘Come up hither’.” [1 Thessalonians 4:16]

So, from this point on, the focus of the book of Revelation is prophetic. God will reveal to John what He wants us to know about His plans for the future. Praise the Lord for revealing these great truths to us.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  How does John’s writings about future events impact your life?

2.  How does God’s revealing future events and His sovereignty come into play?

3.  Are you prepared spiritually to meet God? Explain.