Vision Into Heaven

The Bible is amazing in many ways.  I couldn't name all the ways, wouldn't even try.  Certainly it is amazing in that it is the only book ever written that gives all the answers to life: where we came from and where we are going....and why; and who created it all, and sustains it all.  But for sure, the Bible is the only Book ever written that gives a glimpse into heaven.

If we want to see what heaven is really like, the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation does that.  And there are a number of places in the book of Revelation where we could look; but I love the 4th and 5th chapters, and we will center our focus there in this blog.  Remember that the book must be read in an apocalyptic way.  It was not intended to be literal.  There are physical descriptions throughout that are trying to give us some idea of what spiritual looks like.  But heaven is not a physical place.

Chapter 4 centers on God Himself.  There are 4 living creatures around the throne, saying without ever stopping: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."  Then "twenty four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and worship Him who lives for ever and ever.  They lay their crowns before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being."  In this chapter it is all about God; and we see worship going on continually.

Chapter 5 talks about Jesus.  He is described as a "Lamb, looking as if it had been slain..."  And 4 living creatures and 24 elders "sang a new song: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.' "

"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.  They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.  In a loud voice they sang: ' Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!' "

And when we read all of this, realizing that we are looking right into heaven, looking right into this glorious scene, we must say "Wow!"  No other book gives us this kind of look into heaven, gives us the hope of salvation, a future life with our God.  Wow!

Take the time to read all of chapters 4 and 5 and you will again be amazed.  Thanks for reading.