- These are Written
- Believe
- Should Not Perish
- 3:16
- Never, Never
- Life, Love, Light
- Condemned by Choice
- This and That
- Seven Expressions of Love from the Cross
- Why?
- I know, I know!
- What?
- UGH!
- Expedient
- Gain Grace?
- The Gift
- The Hands of God
- Immortality
- COME UP HERE
- Not by Works of Righteousness We have Done
- Jesus’ Perspective on His own Death
- I AM
Revelation 4:1 begins, “After these things.” This is exactly the phrase that is used in Revelation 4:19, giving the outline. It refers to a specific time, namely, after the church age. So, after the church age, John says, “I looked and behold a door standing open in heaven.” This reminds us of three very important things. First, Jesus Christ is the door and identifies Himself as such (John 10:7). What kind of a door is He? He’s an open door to heaven. Second, Jesus Christ opened the door. We see that in Luke 23:45, where He cries out in the agony of separation from the Father and says, “the veil in the temple was rent from top to bottom,” signifying that the way into God’s presence is now open. The veil symbolized the fact that there was a barrier between God and man which was removed on the cross. Finally, the “door” reminds us that He has opened to us a door for evangelism. Remember, with the Church of Philadelphia, He said that He “would open for them a door that no one could close (Revelation 3:8).” You also see the apostle Paul in 1st Corinthians 6:9 asking the Corinthians to pray for him because he said, “a great door for effective service has been opened to me and there are many, many adversaries.” So, the open door is significant because it all centers around the finished work and victory of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Revelation 4:1 says, “I saw a door open in heaven.” I should point out to you that the verb here is perfect. The door opened in the perfect hands, and means it opened in the past, with the result that it remains opened in the present. Jesus Christ opened the door in the past through the work of the cross, and it remains open to the present time. When John saw the door standing open in heaven, he “heard the first voice that he had heard.” The first voice that he heard was the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, he’s hearing the voice of our Lord speaking with him like the sound of a trumpet. This voice, like the sound of a trumpet, gives him a command, and the command is “COME UP HERE.” Now, it’s significant that at the end of the section dealing with church history, John should hear the command, “Come up here,” and he hears it in a voice of a trumpet. You’ll remember in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18, we are told that “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God, the dead in Christ will rise first, and then we are alive and remain will be caught up together in the clouds, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Also, in 1st Corinthians 15:51-58, the Apostle Paul talks about how, “we shall all be changed in a moment. In the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet.” That trumpet, I believe, is the very voice that John hears in Revelation 4:1. And what that voice says, what is said there. When the rapture of the church takes place, believers are going to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ in the same manner. You might just read through John Chapter 5, because in His explanation of the resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ said, “the hour is coming, and now is when those who are in the grave will hear his voice and they shall arise.” So, I believe that the voice that brings the dead in Christ from the ground and catches up those who are living is the very voice that we hear right here. What this portrays in verse one is the rapture of the church. Let me just point out again that while the term “church” and “churches” has been used 19 times in the Revelation Chapters one to three. You will not see the word “church” occur again until Revelation 22:16. Not until God’s plan is finished. Not until we’re in the eternal state is the church mentioned again. What we find in the interim is symbolic language in Revelation Chapters 4 and 5 in heaven. In Revelation Chapter 6 through 19, the section dealing with the tribulation period, the emphasis is all on Israel. Why? Because that’s annual 70th week. We looked at that last time. That’s the time when God is finishing His work in the nation of Israel.
“After these things” is used twice in Revelation 4:1. This is emphasis and very Hebrew. It’s a very Hebrew thing to speak something twice for the purpose of emphasis and to display perfection.
Believers are going to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ. A voice that brings the dead in Christ from the ground and catches up those who are living. This is the very voice that we will hear, “COME UP HERE.”
Gene Cunningham - May 23, 2000
Living Sacrifice 33
The lifestyle of a believer living expectantly -- the hope of our calling has 3 aspects: (1) The Blessed Hope enables the attitudes in Mat 5:3-10 beatitudes. (2) Living hope (1Pe 1:3-4) --if we lay hold of attitudes of blessing it will effect our life style (1Co 7:29-35; :2Co 4:16-18). (3) Purifying hope (1Jo 3:3) relates to to spiritual, moral, and eternal ramifications of living in the expectation of Christ's coming (2Ti 2:19-24, 2Pe 1:4). Time is compressed (1Co 7:29-35); we need undistracted devotion to the Lord. Believers in the last generation, we have to take up an attitude and lifestyle that focuses on eternity. Believer focused on Christ's return do not lose heart (2Co 4:16-18), in "momentary light affliction ... while we look at the things unseen" (Tit 2:13). Characteristics of believers with the Living hope: (1) We consider that Christ is coming today; (2) He makes full use of the world for the gospel; (3) He lives a carefree existence without anxiety; (4) His one concern is divine approval; (5) He is single-minded and undistracted; (6) He is concerned about devotion and purity; (7) He sees all things - good and bad - as unworthy to be compared to eternity (2Co 2:9-10). The Crown of Righteousness we'll get for loving His appearing (2Ti 4:8); this should be our fist love (Rev 2:4). Crowns and rewards at His appearing should motivate us: Imperishable Crown - 1Co 9:25, Crown of Joy - Phi 4:1, 1Th 2:19, Crown of Life - Jam 1:12, Crown of Glory - 1Pe 5:4, Crown of Righteousness - 2Ti 4:8; We'll receive rank (2Ti 2:12,) authority (Mat 5:20-23), and wealth (2Pe 1:11). Jesus talking to disciples -- challenge to continuous urgency and expectation (Luk 12:35, Rom 12:1), "Be girded" -- prepared for action; means to fix our hope on the return of Christ (1Pe 1:13, 2Ti 2:4). We need to get rid of encumbrances. (1) girding is spiritual strengthening of the soul through the word (Luk 12:35, belt of truth, Eph 6). (2) Burning lamp represents the Holy Spirit and fellowship (Luk 12:35-36, Tit 2:13). (3) Be "...like men waiting for their master" (Luk 2:35, 1Th 1:9-10). Serving and waiting -- perfect spiritual balance. Waiting for the Master when He returns from the wedding feast (Luk 12:36, Rev 3:20). Blessed are those alert when He comes (Luk 12:36-37, 1Th 5:6). The master girds Himself and has us take the proper place at the table and place (Luk 12:37-38, Joh 13:3-4). In Luk 12:35-38: The Wedding Feast: (1) Jesus Christ is the awaited Master. (2) His coming is the Rapture (Tit 2:13, 1Pe 1:3, 1Jo 3:3). (3) Good servants live expectantly (2Ti 4:8). (4) This event is the wedding supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:7-9). (5) The picture is the Kings table at a banquet. (6) Those at the head table have honor, mark, and position. (7) Believers (the remnant) living and serving expectantly when He comes, will be seated by rank by the Father. (8) These believers will be served communion by the King, the Lord Jesus Christ (Mat 26:29). (9) At the last supper, Jesus left the disciples an example of service and expectation of blessing to those who follow (Joh 13:12-15). (10) Jesus left a promise of blessing (Joh 13:16-17). Other support for reward in scripture: (1) Kings showed honor by hosting them at his table -- "friends of the King" (e.g., 2Sa 9 - Mephibosheth seated at Kings table daily). (2) David thought of himself as an honored guest (Psa 23:5). The anointing is a symbol of exultation and promotion (1Sa 16:12). (3) Jesus uses this picture in the the upper room -- "... I have called you friends" (Joh 15:14-15, Joh 14:21). (4) Other examples -- Abraham (Pro 3:22, Jam 2:23). Even those who have wandered off course (1Co 9:27); they still has reason for hope (Mat 21:28-32). God is more patient than our earthly father. Warning - potential of reward can be lost (Luk 12:39).
Scripture References: James 2:23, Luke 12:37-38, Revelation 2:4, Matthew 26:29, Luke 12:35, Proverbs 3:22, Luke 12:36-37, Titus 2:13, Revelation 19:7-9, Romans 12:1, John 14:21, Revelation 3:20, John 3:3, John 3:3, Luke 12:35, John 15:14-15, Luke 12:36, Matthew 5:3-10, Titus 2:13, Matthew 5:20-23, Psalms 23:5, Luke 2:35, Luke 12:39, Luke 12:35-38, James 1:12, John 13:16-17, Titus 2:13, Matthew 21:28-32, John 13:3-4, Philippians 4:1, John 13:12-15, Luke 12:35-36
From Series: "Living Sacrifice (1995)"
Romans 12 and specifically Rom 12:1-2 is a pivot point between the doctrinal section and application of the book. This series methodically uses this passage to outline aspects or doctrines of the christian life -- God's provision and our prospect. Our lives can be acceptable to God if we progress on the path He intends. Living Sacrifice presents 12 doctrines: (1) redeeming time; (2) standing (positional truth); (3) self-presentation - availability; (4) approval; (5) service; (6) provision; (7) spiritual warfare; (8) conformity; (9) spiritual advance; (10) renewal; (11) divine guidance; (12) abundant life.
