Open Door in Heaven
By: Pastor Frank BaileyPublish date: 02/18/2018
Revelation 4:1-2 (NASB) After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.
There are seasons of outpouring in this life where the Lord gives us greater access to heavenly things. Many times, during the outpourings in the 1990s, I would be caught up in the Spirit and have impressions of things in heaven and things about to happen on earth. This is what John was experiencing in a greater measure than any of us can even fathom. John was called to come up through an open door to experience spiritual ecstasies and understanding of things to come. Here is how John Gill describes it:
“Upon the opening of the door in heaven, and hearing the former voice, and the things it said, the Spirit of God at once possessed and filled him, in an extraordinary manner; and his soul or spirit was immediately taken from the consideration of all sensible objects, and was fixed and intent upon the things presented to it in the vision, so that it was as if it was out of the body.”
John became so aware of the spiritual realities that the things of this earth just began to fade away. His first vision was of the incredible scene at the throne. This is where all revelation flows from; it comes from a revelation of Jesus Christ. Albert Barnes points out that John was called up into these visions to receive information about things to come; it started with a revelation of Christ on the throne.
“And the first voice which I heard. That is, the first sound which he heard was a command to come up and see the glories of that world. He afterwards heard other sounds—the sounds of praise; but the first notes that fell on his ear were a direction to come up there and to receive a revelation respecting future things....And, behold, a throne was set in heaven. That is, a throne was placed there. The first thing that arrested his attention was a throne.”
There is a door opening for God’s people in these days. Draw near to Him; let Him carry you away in the Spirit to His throne. That is where you will understand things to come.
I. WHAT DOORS IS THE LORD OPENING FOR YOU IN 2018.
Revelation 3:8 (NASB) “I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut….”
II. OPEN DOOR INTO A REVELATION OF CHRIST.
Revelation 4:1-2 (NASB) “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.”
1. JESUS THE SAVIOR.
2. JESUS THE BAPTIZER IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
3. JESUS THE HEAVENLY MEDIATOR.
4. JESUS THE HEAVENLY INTERCESSOR.
5. JESUS THE HIGH PRIEST THAT SAVES TO THE UTTERMOST.
III. OPEN DOOR INTO THE SUPERNATURAL REALM – THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.
Revelation 4:1-2 (NASB) “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.”
IV. HE OPENS PRISON DOORS.
Acts 16:26-27 (NASB) “And suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. 27 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.”
V. OPEN DOORS OF MINISTRY.
Colossians 4:2-3 (NASB) “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned.”
VI. HE OPENS UP THE DOOR OF FAITH.
Acts 14:27 (NASB) “When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.”
VII. OPEN DOOR OF HARVEST - FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
Acts 10:24 (NASB) “On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. “
Acts 10:44-46 (NASB) “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,”