Focus: Upward Vision

Text: Rev.4:1

"After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, COME UP HITHER, and I will SHEW THEE things which must be hereafter."

Divine perspective is central to human existence. Seeing things from the vantage point of heaven changes everything about how we live and do things down here on earth. Transcendental vision is vital to our choices and actions in this world. Everything we say or do in this world must be seen or understood in the light of eternity.

Jesus Christ says, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he SEETH the Father do: for what things soever he DOETH, these also DOETH the Son likewise" (Jh.5:19). In verse 30, He says, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I HEAR, I JUDGE: and my judgment is JUST…" While here on earth Jesus Christ never did anything outside of what His Father did, He was in constant touch with heaven. 

He heard from His Father, saw His Father in action, and followed His orders. He said what He heard and did what He saw from His Father. He looked up to see what His Father was up to before He looked around to act in agreement with His Father in heaven. In His earthly life and work He brought heaven and earth together. There was no disparity or dichotomy. His Father's will was His priority. Nothing else mattered to Him except His Father's redemptive agenda.

The defeat of mighty Sisera is described as a feat achieved by the heavenly bodies or forces. The Scripture says, "They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera" (Judg.5:20). The enemy's utter defeat was decided in heaven by God Himself. Deborah and her people won the battle against Sisera because the forces of heaven fought on their behalf. 

Earthly battles are won first in heaven before they are effected here on earth.

Jesus Christ taught us to pray for the Father's will to be done on earth as it is being done in heaven. God rules in the affairs of men. God's throne is domiciled in heaven, and He controls things on earth from there. Daniel says to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, "This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men… till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men… until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men…" (Dan.4:17,25,32). 

The living and the kings of this world should know that there is a God who rules from behind the scenes. His throne is higher than all other thrones. Moses declares, "For the LORD your God is GOD OF GODS, and LORD OF LORDS, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward" (Dt.10:17). The psalmist declares, "O give thanks unto the GOD OF GODS: for his mercy endureth for ever" (Ps.136:2). In Rev.1:5, the Lord Jesus Christ is described as "the Prince of the kings of the earth," and in Rev.17:14, as "Lord of lords, and King of kings." Solomon is described as the one who "sat on the throne of the LORD" (1Chron.29:23). Every throne upon which men sit belongs to the Almighty God. Thrones are forever His, regardless of those who sit on them.

We need an upward vision of God enthroned in heaven and totally in control of His universe. Those who look up take heart. Those who see God seated on the throne of the universe become confident and hopeful. Those who have a glorious vision of the enthroned God become patient and poised for an awesome future.

The Lord Jesus Christ is saying to us now, 'Come up to where I am, and see things from my side. I have things to show you from the vantage point of heaven. Come and see how I run things from here.' Moses saw the invisible, and that changed everything about his life on earth, and from a desert dweller and shepherd he became a leader and a law-giver. From a failure he became a great success. From a nobody he became somebody. It is all due to his vision of the invisible. Let's look up and see! The Scripture exposes us to the upward vision. The upward vision changes our perception of reality.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter