The Roman Emperor Domitian had declared himself to be the earthly embodiment of the sun god Apollo and was demanding worship. There was persecution from Rome, from Jews, from Judaizers in the church, authority driven clergy and divisive laity. There were many things that confronted the early church.
Heaven Opened
The times were difficult and uncertain, much as they are in the modern world. It is in such a time that John sees the heaven open and sees our Lord Jesus, revealed in great glory.
John sees Jesus dressed in white mounted on a great white horse.In the ancient world white clothing and a white horse was a symbol for victory. Roman generals would ride on white horses arrayed in white into a conquered territory followed by their legions. This image of the glorified victorious Jesus would have been familiar to the Christians of that day emphasizing Jesus as the victorious Lord whom they followed.
This and other Scripture raised the eyes of those Christian above the hardship of this age to the victorious Christ. Consider how this would have impacted those who were suffering so much for the gospel message , some were being cast into prison, their property confiscated they were giving up all for Jesus, many were in chains and in the midst of hardship and destitution Jesus is seen in victory followed by Christians from all ages. This speaks of glorious victory for the people of God in spite of circumstances.
Not for the Future Alone
Some Christians see this glorious vision for only the future at the seconded coming of our Lord, but the word of God is not stationary riveted to any one time, it speaks to all Christians in all times, not just to those who live at the end of human history . It speaks to us about Jesus as that One who leads us even now in victory not just"some day". This is not just at that moment when our Lord will at the sounding of the seventh trumpet will descend in great power glory to bring the reign of the Kingdom of God. Matthew:24:30-31, Mark:13:26-27, Luke:21:27, 1Corinthians:15:51-56
This is for us every day.
A Open Heaven
John sees through an "open heaven" to view our Lord, the word translated open is from the Greek word anoigo, this same word is used to describe how the heavens was opened to Jesus at his baptism there at the Jordan River in Matthew :3:16
It speaks of accessibility and of the receptivity of the great God to each and all of us if we will but look up. When we come to believe in Jesus, Heaven is opened and we see Him as our Lord who has over come all things of this world, Jesus speaking to the Apostles just hours before His death, said "do not be afraid, for I have defeated the world" John:16:33.
Jesus has always been victorious, when He descends from the Heavens at the time in human history, that moment only shows us what has always been true. His victory is ours', and when we come to believe we see Him as victorious, that Heaven is opened to each of us and in Him we have victory as well.
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Corinthians:15:57
This victory is not ours through the power of our own selves but ours' in Jesus Christ. We are caught up in His the wake His of victory and are seen sharing that same victory that is His.
"The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean" Revelation 19:14
It speaks of accessibility and of the receptivity of the great God to each and all of us if we will but look up. When we come to believe in Jesus, Heaven is opened and we see Him as our Lord who has over come all things of this world, Jesus speaking to the Apostles just hours before His death, said "do not be afraid, for I have defeated the world" John:16:33.
Jesus has always been victorious, when He descends from the Heavens at the time in human history, that moment only shows us what has always been true. His victory is ours', and when we come to believe we see Him as victorious, that Heaven is opened to each of us and in Him we have victory as well.
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Corinthians:15:57
This victory is not ours through the power of our own selves but ours' in Jesus Christ. We are caught up in His the wake His of victory and are seen sharing that same victory that is His.
"The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean" Revelation 19:14
For Now and Always
This is for us each day even in the midst of hardship testing, injustice suffering, what ever this world can bring against us as the people of God, in spite of our circumstance you are now even in the midst of it all , you are victorious in Christ. Consider how the early church would have rejoiced over this truth, the divine contradiction to their circumstance, even as they sat in the dungeons they were victorious in Jesus. This is the same for us, no matter what we face Heaven is opened to us, now not just some day, but now.
The Book of Revelation lifts our eyes above the strife and difficulties of this world and sets our minds upon Jesus.
We See This When We Worship
In Revelation 19, we see that the chapter begins with worship, then Jesus is revealed as the Victorious Lord who has overcome the world system. When we worship we receive a greater revelation as to Who Jesus is, not just will be.
"After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:
“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,for true and just are his judgments.
He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
And again they shouted: “Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”
The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!”
Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
“Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
Then
the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the
wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words
of God.”
At
this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do
it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to
the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the
spirit of prophecy.”
Enter Boldly In Victory
In Hebrews The Holy Speaks that as Jesus has passed into the Heavens He is there now to assist us in our darkest times , we are told that as this is true we can come boldly to the throne of Grace. Hebrews 4:16
At times we missed something vital in this simple admonishment, it is called the Throne of Grace, not only because it express God's willingness to help us reflected in the word Grace, and we might miss the Throne which speaks of God's power and authority to help. This tells us that God not only is willing but able to help and deliver us so we cans we the victory of Jesus in ever part of our lives regardless of our need.
The Heaven is open so that we might see the victory that is our in our Lord Jesus Christ, look up and see that open heaven and our Victorious Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
Washington, Pa
Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP
Radio 1710 & 1670 AM in Washington, Pa.and 1710 AM in Bentleyville ,
Pa. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com
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