Come Up Hither Rev 4-7

Come Up Hither

Revelation 4-7

God has guaranteed one thing, 'I will be with you'. His presence is in and among his people. He lives with us to lift us up to his highly exalted position and show us his wonderful plan. Revelation 1-3 presents Jesus in his role on earth. In Chapter four, John was elevated to a position where he was able to see Jesus as perceived in heaven. The following are lessons from his experience.

The first voice he heard – Come up

The first voice he had was a call to ‘Come up Hither’. The call brought John into the Spirit (4:2). Before he could see the things that were about to happen he needed to be in the Spirit. As in real estate management, the key to spiritual success is ‘location, location, location’. At certain levels and positions, you cannot hear certain messages from God. Sometimes you cannot see what God is showing you because of your position. God is calling you to come up to an advantageous spiritual level. You may have to ‘come up’ in righteousness, prayer, faith, quest for him or teachability. Tuning in to God is our foremost responsibility.

The first view that grabs attention in heaven - Throne

The first view that grabbed John’s attention was God’s beautiful throne (4:2-7). God was in charge and sat on the throne. Out of it proceeded lightening and thunders signifying his power. Before it, were the seven Spirits of God referring to the Holy Spirit in his completeness. When you walk in the Spirit, you have assurance God is on the throne. He is in control of the people and circumstances you face in life. He is well able. Immediately around the throne were four living creatures. Also around the throne were lesser thrones occupied by twenty elders with white robes and golden crowns. The throne was made of precious stones like jasper. God is able to provide for all your needs. He identifies with both the rich and poor but is not poor. He uses the costly to make his throne. He told Moses to use lots of gold and silver to build tabernacle. Around the throne was a rainbow that represents his covenant with humanity (Genesis 9:13, 14). Remembering that you have a covenant partner who is all sufficient, all powerful, all loving and sits on the throne, brings peace to the heart. What ever rises against you will not succeed. Whatever stands between you and your destiny will have to make way.

The first occupation he saw - Worship

Worship has a first place in heaven. The living beings he saw expressed reverence at God’s holiness. The twenty four elders would fall down in worship casting down their crowns (4:11). They acknowledged the worthiness of God to receive worship for he created everything for his pleasure.  Anything not used for the pleasure of God is in abuse. Refusing to fight the truth that you are to live for his pleasure is the key to fulfillment and fullness. 

The first matter that was dealt with - Justice

First matter dealt with in heaven was justice (Chapter 5-6). The one on the throne held a scroll with seals related to judgments due to earth. God graciously made it such that no one qualified to open the seals except one who had provided an option for salvation from the horrible judgments. In other words, before justice was done God provided an amnesty. Anyone who chose to put their trust in the lamb of God, Jesus Christ, avoided the judgments to visit earth and its inhabitants. John cried when for a moment no one was found to open the seals. But praise God someone was found. Someone was found to make sure you are spared from every work of evil on earth. He is your only source hope. The lamb of God that was slain to redeem sinful humanity was the only one found who qualified to open the seals (Isaiah 53). He brought great relief in heaven when he rose up from the midst of the throne. The living beings worshiped him for redeeming people with his blood out of every tribe, language, people and nation.  They were joined by thousands of angels and every created being (5:12-14)

Chapter 4-5 sets the background to the seven seals and Chapter seven gives more information about the seals. When the seals were opened in Chapter six, one understood why the lamb deserved much attention and praise. The judgments shake all that people put their trust in apart from God (Chapter 6).

-          Dependence on human strength and reason (seal 1). This tendency resists anything of Christ. It is an anti Christ spirit that culminates in an anti Christ world leader of a global governance system that will collapse.

-          World peace hard to achieve (seal 2). The rider of the red horse took peace away from earth.  Effort has been made for sustainable world peace. The more the effort bears fruit the more threats arise against peace. Ultimately, peace will only be found in Christ the prince of peace. In the meantime wars and rumors of war remain.

-          Economic inequalities and insufficiencies (seal 3). daily wages were just enough for daily food. Many were just managing to subsist while some lived in affluence and luxury. All these challenges pointed to the need for the return of Christ.

-          Death of people in large numbers (seal 4). The rider of the pale horse was death. All the security, medical and other measures to put off death will fail.

-          Many suffer and die for the gospel (seal 5). Souls of people killed for the gospel were comforted that judgment would come on satan but before that, more were going to die as martyrs.

-          No hiding place (seal 6).  Things got so bad that everyone sought a place to hide. Kings, the rich, strong and also the slave and freeman hid in caves and rocks. All the self-confidence was lost as they wished mountains would fall on them.  Jesus is the only hiding place Psalm 91.

-          Seven more hardships (seal 7). John saw seven angels each with a trumpet.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa