Behold, a throne was standing in heaven and One sitting on the throne. And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance (from Revelation 4:2-3)

John’s Revelation is constructed of mere words. Just how close can human language get in representing the transcendent glory of God’s holiness? I believe John’s words are precisely what he was shown but that does not directly equate to reality. I believe what John saw was light years beyond human comprehension or description. In this assault on John’s human consciousness there was nothing remotely familiar to him. God had to strengthen him supernaturally in the Spirit to even survive this encounter. When John was returned from the Spirit, I believe he must have been frustrated, “How can I accurately tell this story?” The best descriptors available to him were this earth’s most precious stones and its most severe weather. Yet God allowed John to see so that he could report, and his report is invaluable.

The linchpin of evangelical Christianity is our personal relationship with God yet as I read John’s revelation I respond, “Oh Lord, this is not the primary vision I have of You. How are John’s words intended to effect my relationship with You?”

You and I do not have the same revelation that John did but that does not mean we are without revelation. I am most grateful to the writer of Hebrews.

 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3)

Again human language obstructs, but from that place, light years beyond light years away, the Son of Man came and gave us the revelation intended for us – Jesus of Nazareth. However alien and terrifying the God of Revelation may be, He chose to come to us as a Shepherd – the safest of all people to jittery sheep. God chose to span the dimensions and the millenniums as a Shepherd to rescue you and I.

We began our week by asking just what holiness was. As the week has come to a close, I am satisfied we are looking directly at holiness when we see Jesus. John’s revelation only serves to amplify the glory of Jesus. While John makes God’s otherness stunningly clear, I am simultaneously stunned that the radiance of His glory knew splinters and had dirt under His fingernails. I am awe struck that the exact representation of His holy nature touched whores and lepers and then sat down at the right hand of His Majesty on high. I am grateful that it is Jesus’ gritty hands that now hold all things together.

I believe in Jesus we not only have a door standing open in heaven, I believe we have a bridge Who spans the impossible chasm sin has created between man and God. And, if you have ears to hear, Christ is prepared to even become your life. If you are questioning, deep in your heart, which side of this chasm you are standing, receive Christ and become a child of God. Repent of whatever illusions have held you captive. Accept the Shepherd’s hand outstretched and be transported from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of your Father. So be it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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