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When It's Time to Go
Revelation 4:1 - "After this, I looked and behold a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, 'Come up here and I will show you what must take place after this.'"
As we move into chapter 4 of the book of Revelation, we are headed into strange country. We just completed the concrete foundation as we dealt with the seven churches. Yet, while we studied these churches, we came to understand that we were in reality very much in the present. Now, when we get to this chapter, we're about to step off into the future.
This chapter and the one that follows takes us to a very cool place. It takes us into the very throne room of God where we can see ourselves and what we will be doing when we get to heaven. After that, our focus will be primarily on the earth all the way up until chapter 21.
Many have said that this end times is what they are interested in and national statistics prove that out. But even if you had steak and lobster every day, eventually a chicken sandwich would sound like heaven. Make sense? So with the seven churches and the discipleship cure for what ails us, let us get into this incredible pivot verse.
Point One: The Importance of This Verse
See, and I want you to understand that Revelation 4:1 is a very special verse. In fact, if you do not understand this verse, and I would add chapter 10-11, then you'll struggle to understand the rest of the book. And if you mess up here or in chapter 10, you're going to get out of step all the way through the rest of what God has just laid out for us in the book of Revelation.
Now, if you've ever buttoned your shirt only to get down to the last button, you find you don't have a button hole there. You back up and see what happens. You usually find that your problems begin right at the start. If the right button is not placed in the right button hole, you're in trouble. Things will not turn out right. The same is true with the book of Revelation.
The Greek Connection: "Meta Tauta"
Notice that the verse begins with the phrase "after this," and it ends with the words "after this." This English expression translates the Greek words "meta tauta." I'm not a Greek scholar, but I know some, so I can say this stuff. I found it this week, and I found it so cool. Meta tauta.
See, this is not the first time we've encountered this phrase. So when you see it again, it's like, wow. Okay, what does this mean? Go back to Revelation 1:19. Meta shows up here too. See, John is commanded to write three different things:
"Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are, and those that are to take place after this."
There's our little phrase. There it is. Right there. It's the Greek meta tauta.
The Revelation Outline
See, it ties it all together. And what we have in Revelation 1:19 is the basic outline for the book of Revelation:
- "The things you have seen" points to the events in chapter 1
- "The things which are" points to the events of chapters 2 and 3 which we went through—the churches throughout the summer
- "Those that are to take place after this" points to the events that will occur after the age of the church has ended
Notice the last words of chapter 3: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches." The seven churches say so much to us. And we kind of covered it in some pretty good detail, I think, over the summer.
And then we get to those that are to take place after this points to the events that will occur after the age of the church has ended. So the church age ends. That is a strong common understanding to what's going on here.
The Church's Location After "Meta Tauta"
So as we go forward into chapters four and five, we find what happens to the redeemed saints. Where are they? They're in heaven with God in his presence worshiping him there. Chapters 6 through 19 deal with the tribulation period and with the wrath of God as he judges the sinful world and purifies his people Israel.
Revelation 4:1 is an important verse that must be understood correctly if we're going to stay on track as we move through this book. It's also important because it signals a time of transition for the people of the Lord.
John as Representative Man
So if John is just a guy, just a dude who's told to come up here and he is not the representative of the church and the churches—this is what I thought for many years—then part of what God is saying goes over our head.
Any day Jesus could come and get us. He could come get us before I'm done talking today. I mean, do you get what I'm saying? It's like we're supposed to be looking for his return and yet we're supposed to also understand the sign of the time and be prepared for the long game. Be prepared to persevere.
So, when John gets called up as the representative of the churches, we're supposed to see that this event is actually going to happen someday. See, after this point, the church is never mentioned again on being on the earth.
A Change in Perspective
When folks would use this verse to justify their version of a rapture theory, I would scoff against it. Why? Because it's talking to John, not necessarily the church. But is it? Is he a representative man? Please grasp that. If you're one of the end time Bible students, grasp that.
So today I stand a little bit corrected and I want you to stay with me now because we're going to go through this. When someone would tell us that this verse is about a day when we were going to be moving up to glory, I had trouble with the possibility of someone taking that out of context. It looked like the typical shoehorn in to fit a narrative. But let's look closer and see what we find. That's a fair thing to do, isn't it?
For starters, this verse tells us that one man, John, was called up into heaven. Just one man is affected. Just the Apostle John. But in this verse, some say John becomes a representative man. He pictures what will happen to all believers who are living on the earth when Jesus comes back for his people in an event in the modern language called the rapture.
What Happens During the Rapture
Now, regardless of how you view eschatology, this event called the rapture is very important. When the rapture will occur, we have disagreements all over the map. But the Bible says that this event, the snatching away, several events will be set into motion. I want to show them to you today.
First, the bride of Christ will be taken out of this world. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 says:
"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the sound of the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words."
Encourage each other with those words. The event is also called the blessed hope in Titus 2:13:
"Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."
Thank God for that hope. Every day we should be thanking the Lord for that hope.
Also, the Spirit of God will actually be taken out of the world. Can you imagine once the restrainer's gone what it's going to be like? 2 Thessalonians 2:7 says:
"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way."
This sinful, rebellious world will be plunged into what's called the great tribulation. And with the seals in chapter 6, the trumpets of chapters 8, 9, and 11, and the bowls in chapter 16, it's going to go down hard.
Ready for His Return
So because of all of this, that means that this verse can easily stand as a type or a picture of what will happen when Jesus returns for his children. Look at it. It says, "After this, I looked and behold the door standing open in heaven."
Truly doesn't matter whether this is pre-trib or mid-trib or what have you. The Bible is clear. It's going to happen. You know what else is clear? That it may happen when you least expect it to.
We got to be prepared for the long game while at the same time looking for Jesus any minute, any day. But it says when you least expect it. Matthew 24:44 says:
"Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
So maybe we don't try and figure it all out. Just be looking for his return every day. The big question is, are you ready for that day? Jesus tells us we need to be focused and we need to be ready.
Point Two: The Symbolism of This Verse
The book of Revelation is a book filled with signs, symbols, and illustrations. Back in Revelation 1:1, we are told that this revelation will be signified by the angel directly to John:
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants things which must shortly take place. And he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John."
Take that word signified and realize what is being said here. In other words, seems the Lord tells John that he's going to reveal some of the content of this book in signs and symbols. If you've read the book of Revelation, you know how true that is, right? I mean, Jesus is pictured as the lamb. The redeemed saints are possibly the 24 elders. The new Jerusalem is pictured as the bride. The antichrist is called the beast.
Understanding Symbols Across Time
But the use of symbols no way changes what God actually says. Everything he says will come to pass as a literal event. He merely uses the language of symbolism to describe actual events. He uses symbols so that people of all generations will be able to understand what he means. All generations.
I've always used this to explain to you that the language of ancient times needs to be put into the context so that we understand what it is. Because if you just take word for word, language for language, it may not make sense to somebody reading it.
Can you imagine an English scholar who was maybe in England say in 600 AD knows the English language pretty well and we use the phrase "we pull up to the pump and fill up." Just those words. Do you think that person would understand what we're talking about? You pull up to the pump and fill up. We know what that is. We know that that's an automobile getting full of gas. But think about somebody 1500 years ago, a thousand years ago, 500 years ago. What would that phrase mean to them in English?
It's the same thing when you take the ancient language, you take the time of John during the revelation when he's using symbols and God is giving this to him. It's so that it will cover all of time. We can look at it and understand.
Two Symbols in This Verse
Now, there are two symbols or illustrations given to encourage us in this verse. So let's look at them.
Symbol One: The Eyes - The Open Door
It involves the eyes. John says he saw a door open in heaven. This phrase literally means that there was a door standing open in heaven. This is the third door we have encountered in Revelation so far. It's just an open door, man. It's the third door we've seen open in Revelation so far.
Let's review the doors we've seen:
First, the Door of Service - Revelation 3:8 (first part). The church of Philadelphia is told:
"I know your works. See, I've set before you an open door and no one can shut it."
This is the door of gospel opportunity and service. When a church is biblical and walking after the will of the Lord, Jesus will set before it an open door of ministry. He does that with every single authentic Bible-believing church. It looks different for each church, but the door is in fact always open. Same with every Bible-believing saved servant of Jesus Christ.
Next, the Door of Salvation - Revelation 3:20:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me."
Those in Laodicea are invited to open the doors of their hearts and let Jesus enter. The lost heart is closed to Jesus. But if it is opened, he will enter and save the lost soul. That is the big game we are playing. That is the meaning of life.
Jesus Is the Door
In our text, the door in heaven is shown to be standing open. The tense of that verb means that the door has been opened and it continues to stand open for all who desire to enter.
Now, we know who the door is. John 10:9 tells us Jesus identified himself as the door:
"I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."
What's he saying here? He's saying he is the only way to heaven. People do not go to heaven through the door of the church, regardless of the name over the door. People do not enter heaven through their good works. They do not go in by their own power. The only door into salvation and heaven is Jesus Christ. He is the one who died, the one who rose again, the one who paid the price for our salvation.
He is the only way to God. That is why John 14:6 is such a great life verse:
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
The Door Today and Tomorrow
Today, that door stands wide open. It'll allow whosoever to enter and find peace, rest, salvation, and the gift of heaven. But when the Lord calls his people home to heaven, the door of salvation will close.
The 10 bridesmaids in Matthew 25—five failed to prepare, and by the time they were ready, the door was shut. It's foolish to presume upon time when it comes to your eternal soul. If you've been waiting to walk through the door of salvation, wait no longer. The time to enter will soon be gone forever.
2 Corinthians 6:2 says:
"For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
The Door of Summons and Return
See, in Revelation 4:1, the open door in heaven becomes the door of summons. Those who are saved will one day be called up to go through that open door into heaven.
And then that open door becomes a door of exit, of return. One day it'll be opened again. This time it will not be to allow people to enter in. It'll be open to allow Jesus to return with his church. When the Bible talks about Jesus coming down, riding that white horse, I'm going to be in that mounted posse. It's going to be amazing. And I want you there with me.
He is returning in splendor and power and glory to stamp out evil and establish his kingdom. You want to see it? Let's look at it. Revelation 19:11-16 says:
"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses. Now, out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should strike the nations, and he himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he has on his robe and on his thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."
Just think on that. Ponder that daily. Be looking for the return of Christ.
Symbol Two: The Ears - The Trumpet Voice
It also involves the ears. Not only did John see a door, John heard a trumpet. This is the language of symbolism. He said, "The first voice which I heard speaking to me like a trumpet."
What John heard was not an actual trumpet, but a voice like that of a trumpet—piercing, loud, demanding attention.
Trumpets in Ancient Israel
Trumpets were very important in the life of ancient Israel. There were different types of trumpet blasts for various events:
- The trumpets would be blown when it was time to break camp and move
- The trumpets blew to announce sacrifices on feast days
- Trumpets blew to summon the priests to the tabernacle
- Trumpets were used to sound an alarm in a time of war or danger
It was very important that the people listen to the various trumpet blasts and that the trumpeters made the right sounds.
Trumpets in End Times
So trumpets figure heavily in the New Testament, particularly in connection with end time events. Look again at 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (first part). This verse shows us that there will be a trumpet that will sound signaling that Jesus is coming back to get his bride:
"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God."
1 Corinthians 15:52 speaks of a trumpet sound in connection with the taking of the Lord's children from this earth. I want you to see the connection:
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
Our Special Listening Device
It appears that God will use a trumpet sound to signal his people when it's time to depart. And I don't think this world will hear it. But we were implanted with a special listening device the moment we were saved. Jesus calls it ears to hear.
So when that trumpet sounds, it'll be time to break camp and move on to glory. It will be time to go. When that trumpet sounds, it'll signal a declaration of war on sin and evil in this world system. And we're gone.
The Voice of the Lord
Seriously, one of these days a trumpet blast will sound and the saints will leave this world behind forever. Forever. John says that this trumpet was a voice. I wonder if this is not the voice of the Lord calling his people. Again, I just showed it to you in 1 Thessalonians 4:16: "The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout."
When Jesus comes, that trumpet will be calling the living up. It's a shout that raises the dead as well. Look at the New Testament. Every time Jesus shouted in the Bible, there was a resurrection:
- He shouted at the tomb of Lazarus in John 11. And what did Lazarus do? He got up.
- He shouted at Calvary and many of the dead saints arose. That's in John 19 and Matthew 27.
- He will shout at the rapture and all the redeemed will hear his voice and come out of their graves.
Now, I don't know what Jesus is going to say when he comes. I don't know what that trumpet blast, what words are actually going to be in there. "Come forth." "Come home." "Come up here." I don't know. But whatever he says on that day, his voice will cause gravity to lose its hold on these bodies and we're going to change into his likeness and we will go to be with him in the heavenly home. That's what the Bible says.
And we're hoping that comes any day, any day.
Point Three: The Glory of This Verse
There's glory in this verse. There is a river of glory just running through this pivot verse and I don't want you to miss the significance and importance of it. So I'm going to show it to you.
An Escape
First it speaks of an escape. How cool is that? John is told "I will show you what must take place after this." He is referring to future things. It won't be long till we talk about Revelation chapter 6 and beyond. And when we get there, we are going to encounter details of events too horrible and amazing to actually comprehend.
When we come to chapter 6, we're going to witness a vivid description of the events of the tribulation period. So I think it's significant that John is caught up into heaven before the tribulation period begins.
Now, as I mentioned, if John is a representative man, he pictures the church in its removal from this world before the horrors of the tribulation period can unfold. Makes sense. Isn't that exactly what the rapture of the church should be? See, it's a rescue mission.
Understanding "Harpazo" - The Rapture
Think about it now. When you look at 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, you see Paul uses the words "caught up" to describe what will become the rapture. Now, many people get hung up on the fact that the word rapture does not appear in the Bible. Don't let that throw you. The word grandfather doesn't show up in the Bible either.
So, what is the word rapture? It is a Latin translation of the Greek word harpazo. Harpazo is the word that was translated "caught up." The word harpazo literally means to seize, to carry off by force. If you saw a child about to be hit by a car and you ran out and snatched that child out of the oncoming vehicle's path, saving its life, then you have the meaning of the word. It has the idea of rescue from danger.
There is a terrible time of danger coming on this earth and God is going to pull his people out and he's going to pull his Spirit out, too. He's going to break off diplomatic relations with the world. Then he's going to declare war on sin and on sinners and he's going to take his church out before that time comes.
Why the Church Will Be Rescued
Some people believe that the church will actually be here for the tribulation. They say that the church is so filthy and so impure that God will leave it here to be cleaned up during this awful time. That always leads me to one question: What could the tribulation possibly do for the church that the blood of Jesus cannot do?
Yes, there's sin and there's sinners in the church. But when we are caught up, we will face Jesus at the judgment seat of Christ. We will give accounts for our deeds in our lives. But our sin was paid for at the cross.
So, let me share a few reasons why I believe the church will be rescued before the tribulation begins or a short time after it begins. I've told you before that I'm pre-trib and mid-trib because I'm actually a pan-trib. It's all going to pan out the way God wants it anyway. I just can't buy into post-trib. It just doesn't make sense to me.
Delivered from Wrath
See, our salvation was delivered to us for one purpose because he wanted to deliver us away from his wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 says:
"And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."
Bada bing, bada boom. There it is. There's your show-stopping number right there.
We are looking for that blessed hope, not the horrors of the tribulation, the antichrist and the wrath of God. Titus 2:13:
"Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."
A Boost of Grace
One of the things that this does is it gives you a boost, a turbocharge on your grace for others. Why? Because if I'm focused on the life to come and on Jesus saving me and someday taking me out of here, when sinners annoy me, I can forgive them.
It gives you a boost of grace. All of this stuff that we're talking about. Why? Because none of this stuff matters that much. Oh, I know we can all come unglued about these things, but then after you calm down and get back in the word, you realize there's nothing to get worked up about. Contentment with godliness is great gain.
The Biblical Pattern
But look a little closer and I want you to find some eternal hope in Jesus and the promise to lift us out prior to the great wrath of God that will be poured out on the earth. Just look at a few of the biblical examples. That's all you got to do and you'll see that there's a suggestion throughout scripture that we will be taken out before the tribulation:
- Enoch was removed before the flood in Genesis 5
- Lot was removed before Sodom was destroyed in Genesis 19
There's a clear pattern. God removes his people before he manifests his wrath.
Proof from the Churches
Another proof is actually found in chapters 2 and 3. In these chapters, Jesus uses these words—now listen, this can go quick over your head. Stay with me right now. In Revelation 2-3, Jesus says:
"He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Look elsewhere in the gospels like Matthew 13 for an example and others where Jesus says, "He who has an ear, let him hear." No mention of the Spirit, no mention of the churches. Why? Because this was before the church was formed and before the Spirit was given.
Now look at Revelation 13:9. This verse says:
"If any man has an ear, let him hear."
See the difference? Jesus does not mention either the Spirit or the churches. Why? Because they have already been removed.
So it seems biblically that we will not be here for the tribulation.
The Ambassador Principle
Now think about it. What we see here is exactly what happens in our world when war breaks out between nations. When hostilities begin to rise, one of the first things nations do is call its ambassadors home. The church is God's ambassador to the world. Before he declares war on the earth, he will call his people home to be with him.
Thank God we're leaving before the worst of it comes. One of these days, we'll be glad for the fact that Jesus is taking us out of here before things get really bad. As bad as it is today, we have not seen the fullness of this yet.
An Entrance
Not only is there going to be an escape, praise God, there's also going to be an entrance. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says:
"So shall we ever be with the Lord."
Folks, when we pass from this world through that open door into the heavens, we are going home. And whether God calls you home today by some freak accident where we're having your funeral next week, or whether we're raptured out of here today, the end of this month, next year, however God sets it up, we are heading to the place that Jesus promised to prepare for us in John 14.
Heaven's Population
When we arrive there, we will join the saints of all ages in the presence of the Lord in his city. Imagine the Old Testament saints and the New Testament saints all together in that city. Imagine the martyrs of all ages, the faithful church folks all together in glory.
Imagine that city free from the curse of this world, free from death, free from pain, free from sin. Imagine seeing Jesus and God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Imagine that day when we get to go home. Well, one day we don't have to imagine and we'll be there.
What a Day That Will Be
Songwriter Jim Hill got it right when he put his pen to paper and wrote the following words from the song "What a Day That Will Be":
"What a day that'll be when my Jesus I shall see and I look upon his face. The one who saved me by his grace. When he takes me by the hand and leads me through the promised land. What a day, glorious day that'll be."
No more sorrows. No more burdens to bear. That's the good news. There are some exciting days ahead for the believer. We're about to leave this world behind forever.
When It's Time to Go
So when it's time to go, it will be time to go. And that's where you can have your joy. That's where you can find that peace, that contentment with godliness being great gain. That's how we can stand up in the middle of some awful circumstances and say, "I still praise him. His sovereignty over my life is enough. His grace will sustain me."
Are You In?
But the question I have for you is this: Are you in? John was called up to heaven. One day, every saved child of God will be called up, too. Will you be in that number?
When the Lord comes and snatches away his church, will you go with him or will you be in your sins and therefore be left to face the tribulation? If you are saved, then praise his name. There is a great day coming.
If you are not saved, then come to Jesus today while there is hope and be saved before it is too late. It involves:
- Recognizing yourself as a sinner and not being able to save yourself
- Being willing to turn from your wicked ways
- Surrendering to Jesus at the foot of the cross and claiming his blood over your life
It really comes down to when the angel of eternal death passes over, will you have Jesus's blood over the doorpost of your soul or not? That's the only question.
The truth is simple: one day a trumpet blast will sound and the saints will leave this world behind forever. When that day comes, those who have trusted in Christ will experience the greatest escape and entrance in human history—caught up to be with the Lord forever in the place he has prepared for us.
What has the Lord said to your heart today? Listen to that and react.