Chapter Fourteen/The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne

JOHN begins to share with us further soul-stirring visions.  By inspiration he is still in the Lord's day. So, what he describes has deep meaning for us who are actually living in that day.  By means of these visions, Jehovah lifts the veil of invisibility  on heavenly realities and gives us his own view of the judgments to be executed  on earth.  Moreover, whether we have a heavenly or an earthly hope, these revelations help us to see our place  in Jehovah's purpose.  All of us, therefore, should continue to be keenly interested in John's expression:  "Happy is he who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and who observe the things written in it...." -Revelation 1:3. 

What John next beholds surpasses anything presented by video to 20th- century man!  He writes:  "After these things I saw, and, look! an opened door in heaven, and the first voice that  I heard was as of a trumpet, speaking with me, saying:  'Come on up here, and I shall show you the things that must take place.' " (Revelation 4:1)  John in vision penetrates the invisible heavens of Jehovah's presence, exalted far above physical outer space  as explored by modern astronauts, even far above the galaxies of the material universe.  Ass though by entering an opened door, John is invited to feast  his eyes on a breathtaking panorama of the ultimate spirit heavens where Jehovah himself is enthroned!  (Psalm 11:4; Isaiah 66:1)  What a privilege!

The Bible does not identify this "first voice."  Like Jesus' strong voice heard earlier, it has a commanding trumpet-like sound.  (Revelation 1:10, 11)  It brings to mind the penetrating horn blast that signaled Jehovah's presence  at Mount Sinai.  (Exodus 19:18-20)   Undoubtedly,  Jehovah is the  majestic Source of the summons.   (Revelation 1:1) He has opened the door so that John, in vision, can enter the most holy location in all the vast realm of Jehovah's sovereignty.

Next time:  Chapter Fourteen/ The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Jehovah's Resplendent Presence


From the book of Revelation