John is permitted to visit Heaven in his vision to see some glorious things which are described in chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation. There is a three-fold division in the book of Revelation – the past (chapter 1), the present (chapter 2-3) and the future (chapter 4 onwards).

1 – The significance of this verse

Notice two things:-

• It is transitional in nature. We are moving from one thing to another. After the age of the church in chapters 2-3 we move to the End Times. We move from grace to judgment. We are around the throne of God in Heaven. The church is no longer on the Earth struggling to get to Heaven. The chief occupation of the church in Heaven is to worship the Lamb. Is this our chief occupation today? We can worship the Lamb each day.
• It is typical in nature. John is getting a picture of the rapture. He is told to come up. The church will not go through the Tribulation period. The word “rapture” is not in the Bible. The word comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and refers to a “snatching away”. We are going to be snatched before the storm. God has always done this in the Bible to his saints.

2 – The symbolism of this verse

Notice two things:-

• A symbol of sight (vs. 1). He sees a door open in Heaven. There are several doors mentioned in Revelation. In Revelation 3:8 the church at Philadelphia had an open door. It was an open door of gospel opportunity. The second door is in Revelation 3:20 is the door mentioned to the church at Laodicea. This door is closed. This door in Revelation 4:1 is the door to Heaven. John can walk into Heaven. The door is wide open. The door to Heaven is Jesus. See John 10:9. You can only walk into Heaven if you trust in Jesus. He is the only door. See John 14:6.
• A symbol of sound (vs. 1). He heard a voice that was like a trumpet. A trumpet could give a signal for some action. See 1 Corinthians 15:51. The sound of the trumpet is a glimpse of the Rapture of the Church. Jesus will command and it will happen. It is a shout of command. There are three times Jesus shouted – at the tomb of Lazarus, on the cross when people who had died came back to life and the third time is right here. The first time he shouted one man arose from the dead, the second time many rose from the dead and the third time millions will arise from the dead.

3 – Why the rapture of the church?

Here are some reasons:-

• Raptured for a reception. All who love the Lord, we will all meet together.
• Raptured for a rescue. This world is heading for a train wreck. A time of great tribulation is coming.
• Raptured for a reunion. Jesus is coming to meet his church in mid-air. We will have a victory celebration in the second heaven.

4 – The sweetness in this verse

There is going to be an escape. There will be a snatching away. In Revelation 6-19 we see tribulation and judgment. The world will be affected in every way. Judgment is coming but the church is not going through this judgment. The tribulation period is for the nation of Israel. It is not for the church. The church will be snatched away before the Antichrist takes charge. Here are some reasons why:-

• The absence of the Church in the Tribulation period (Revelation 6-19). No mention of it by name.
• We are looking forward for the blessed hope. See Titus 2:13. This does not describe the Tribulation period!
• We have been delivered from the wrath to come. See 1 Thessalonians 5:9. We do not have an appointment with wrath. We are waiting for our salvation.
• We have been delivered from the time of world tribulation. See Revelation 3:10. – The imminent return of Jesus Christ. See John 14:1-3. Jesus is coming to receive us to take us home.
• The attention of God to the nation of Israel. The tribulation is not about the Church but rather the nation of Israel. See Romans 9-11. God is not finished with Israel.
• The types of the Old Testament. The flood – Enoch was raptured. Sodom and Gomorrah – Lot was rescued. – The Tribulation verses never mention the Church. E.g. Matthew 24-25.
• “If any man has an ear let him hear” In the Revelation 2-3 the phrase includes the churches. See Revelation 13:9. The church is no longer there. God is declaring war and He is calling all of his ambassador’s home.

Categories: Revelation