Revelation Now :
Daily Devotional Bible Studies in Revelation
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An Open Door to Heaven: Day 20 
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 carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. (Revelation 4.1-3)
Door to the Heavenly Court
The prophet now describes a vision of the heavenly court worshipping the enthroned God. The ancients viewed heaven as a vast solid vault set like a roof on a square flat earth entered by way of actual doors. Jesus spoke of himself saying, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep." (1) He was the only way into the Father's presence to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (2) John heard what sounded like a trumpet blast at the voice of Christ.
God's Call to Ezekiel
His invitation Come up here reminds us of God's call to the prophet Ezekiel. Four times in the Book of Revelation John says he was in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit took over John and gave him a vision, showing him situations and events he could not have seen with mere human eyes. All true prophecy comes from God through the Holy Spirit. Unlike the door of the kingdom and the heart's door of 3.20, this door invites John to come up into heaven. When the door is opened we see into the throne room of God.
Overcome by the awe-inspiring sight, John reverently avoids naming or describing God but simply says someone sitting on the throne. The throne is not empty as many would wish but occupied. The deity on the throne is like a human being. It is important for humans to remember that God is not some huge machine or space alien but is a person somewhat like each one of us. He cares for us because he is one with us.
God's Orchestration
God on the throne is orchestrating all the events that John will record. The precious gems jasper (like a white diamond representing purity), carnelian (a blood red stone found in Sardis and symbol of avenging wrath) and emerald (green for soothing mercy) express the majesty of God. Jasper, carnelian and emeralds were found on the breastplate of the High Priest and among the stones on the foundations of the Holy City in Heaven.
As if to further emphasize the other worldliness of the scene, John sees a green emerald - like rainbow behind and over the throne of God. The opulence of these glistening jewels would only emphasize the magnificence of the scene before his eyes. John shows us heaven before bringing us down to earth so that we will not be frightened by future events. The world is not spinning out of control but the God of all creation is carrying out all his plans.
Meditation
Have you had an experience of being lifted up into God's presence?
Prayer
"How great thou art, how great thou art"
Notes
(1) John 10:7 (2) Luke 11:9-10
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place."
