After this I looked and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” Revelation 4:1 HCSB
From time to time I have been invited to a sneak preview of an upcoming movie. These are movies that have a Christian message and because I am a minister, I have been invited to see the movie before it is released to the public. The people who made the movie are hoping that I will encourage people in my church to go see their production. It is always fun to receive a special invitation and feel as though I am getting special treatment.
John received special treatment. He was invited to come and see the throne room of heaven. The “after this” is referring to the messages to the seven churches. The “open door” mentioned here is not the door into the kingdom mentioned in Revelation 3:8 or the door into the heart mentioned in Revelation 3:20. This door was the door into the next part of heaven, the throne room of God.
Challenge: As believers, we will someday be invited to enter into the throne room of heaven. It is hard to imagine what that room will be like. It will be like nothing we have ever experienced. Thank God that because of Jesus paying the penalty for our sins that we will receive “special treatment” someday. The verses following this verse gives us a sneak preview of what heaven will be like.