LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
John's Vision
"When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me: Fear not... and the first voice which I heard, as of a trumpet, speaking unto me, said: Come up hither..." (Rev. 1:17; 4:1).
The apostle John, in exile, has received a glorious vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, and falls as dead at his feet. But the Lord tenderly touches him and says to him: "Fear not". Then he gives him messages for seven churches. The outlook for them at that time, with the exception of Philadelphia, was not encouraging. John must have been very distressed by the decline to which the churches had come in a little more than fifty years. It seemed that the work to which he had so lovingly dedicated his life had been unsuccessful. What to do? How to reverse this misfortune?
Then, he looks up. "After this, I looked, and behold an open door". Thank God, there is an open door in heaven. It is not the gate of salvation, the narrow gate through which few can enter; no, it is the wide and generous entrance that the Father has arranged for those who have already been reconciled to him through the Son of his love, Jesus the Lord.
"...and the first voice which I heard, as of a trumpet -it is not a faint voice, it is the word of His power- speaking with me, said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which shall be hereafter". Blessed is the God who bends down to man, dust of the earth, to call out to him. "Come up hither". Above all the vicissitudes of the present hour, above all the tribulations, the magnificent voice resounds: "Come up hither". Look not, John, at the state of the churches, look not at the difficulties: "Come up hither". All that you have seen, all that you have suffered, is passing, is ephemeral. Do not look at earthly things, look to the heavens. You will see the real things, the eternal things.
John's vision is the same that today, by faith, is revealed before our eyes: "...and behold, a throne is established in heaven". A firm, immutable and glorious throne, to which we have free access through Him who loved us. Our soul is anchored to the throne of God, in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
"...and on the throne, one seated". One. He is not even named. It is the mystery that the world does not know. We believers need no further description of the One who is holy, holy, holy. Before this glorious vision of the One who with such love calls us, all earthly circumstances lose luster. We can approach with confidence. If we lift our eyes from the troubles of today, and look upward, and hear His voice, and ascend upward, we shall indeed see the things that are to come to pass after these: the true things , the eternal things.
May the Lord open our spiritual eyes, that we may contemplate and rejoice in heavenly things and not be entangled in earthly cares; that we may not look around us lamenting what is happening on earth, but with our eyes fixed on Jesus, look up to the heavens and go forth to meet the Beloved.