Come: Take A Peek Into Heaven

“Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 

Revelation 4:1

 

 

While in this world, Jesus gave us some astounding visuals of heaven. Bend your ear to the following series of staccato parables in Matthew: “‘Come to the wedding banquet’” (Matthew 22:4); “‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’” (Matthew 25:6); “‘Come and share your master’s happiness!’”  (Matthew 26:21,23); “‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’” (Matthew 26:34).

Add to these, from the book of the Revelation quoted above, a door standing open into heaven and the voice of the risen Christ beckoning John to come up and see for himself. Today let’s join John and have a look around. (Revelation 4-5)

We enter the throne room and my senses are immediately heightened. The One sitting on the throne has the appearance of jasper and carnelian, emanating their inherent green and red hues. Add a rainbow resembling an emerald encircling the throne. Blend in the pure white of the robes of the twenty-four elders with the crowns of gold on their heads, illuminated in the lightning flashes and the seven blazing lamps. Bounce all that iridescence off what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal, in front of the throne. Smell the wafting incense from the golden bowls. Listen to the thunder mixed with the music of the harps and the never-ending chorus: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come”.       

I shut my eyes and can barely grasp the splendor—perhaps the northern lights on the Canadian prairies one February. We were enjoying the starlit night when suddenly the corn stalks, laced with a dusting of snow, turned gold around us. As we stopped the car and got out, fingers of gold and white and green reached down and danced around in vivid brilliance. We were in silent awe.  

But I digress. My reverie is broken by the weeping of John, finally quieted by the appearance of a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain. He has triumphed, and with His blood purchased men for God. A chorus of angels ensues: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

May I return to the throne room frequently this new year. May I worship with all my being. May I sing heaven’s song: Holy are You, our Lord and God. Worthy are You and the Lamb Who was slain. May you join in the chorus.

Nancy P