Page 5 - December 2025 - Truth & Tidings

John and possibly Paul (caught up to ity! Just to see the door of heaven opened
the third heaven) all speak of what they which separates this material world from
saw. Others could speak specifically of the spiritual reality will be frightful. Then
standing on earth and seeing the heavens the Judge arrives. The words of the Lord
opened to glimpse the reality therein. in Matthew 24 imply that they will first
You will quickly recall the experience of see Him upon His throne and they will
the apostle Paul on the Damascus Road. watch as He rides upon a white horse in
He testified to the brilliance of heavenly all His glory and with all His armies out of
glory and the greatness of the heavenly heaven and into time and space. Whether
throne-sitter who became his Lord. In that happens in an instant or over hours
some ways, Paul’s conversion was unique. is inconsequential, as men will be unable
Yet, “as one born out of due time,” it is to turn away to anything else. Yet, how
a pattern for the national salvation of foolish and ludicrous will their reaction
be, as they will wail and seek to kill Him
Israel in a coming day (1Co 15:8). In Acts afresh. “Why do the heathen rage, and the
7, Stephen also saw the heavens open. people imagine a vain thing? The kings of
His view was not of a seated Sovereign the earth set themselves, and the rulers
but of a standing Savior awaiting His take counsel together, against the LORD,
faithful martyr. Again, this account is a and against his anointed, saying, ‘Let us
unique moment in Scripture as the first break their bands asunder, and cast away
martyr of the Church leaves the scene. their cords from us.’ He that sitteth in the
But would we be wrong to suggest that heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have
the glorified Lord graciously stands to re- them in derision. Then shall he speak unto
ceive each of His own as they come home? them in his wrath” (Psa 2:1-5).
The open heaven is linked with the sec- How wondrous that, like Paul, in be-
ond advent of Christ. In the comprehen- coming believers we have seen Him for
sive portion of Revelation 19, John states, who He truly is! How comforting that
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold if, like Stephen, we enter into death, we
…” (v11). We are invited to view the Lord shall see Him as our living and welcom-
as John did. So, it is quite interesting to ing Savior! And how certain that we will
consider the words of the Lord directed indeed see Him on the great day of His
to the High Priest as He Himself describes glorious return to earth! Truly, “he cometh
the heaven being opened: “Hereafter with clouds; and every eye shall see him”
shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the (Rev 1:7). When we see Him on that day,
right hand of power, and coming in the there will be no need to wail at judgment
clouds of heaven” (Mat 26:64). John wrote or weep in repentance, but rather solely
to believers so that we might grasp the to worship Him for His glory. “Beloved,
enormity of the moment when the Faithful now are we the sons of God, and it doth
Lord and King of Kings will return. The not yet appear what we shall be: but we
Lord, however, spoke to Christ-rejectors as know that, when he shall appear, we shall
be like him; for we shall see him as he is”
He emphasized that the Righteous Judge (1Jn 3:2). We who look for the Bright and
will come in power and judgment upon Morning Star will also behold the Sun
His enemies. of Righteousness rising in all His glory!
What an awesome and terrifying view it “Blessed are all they that put their trust
will be on that day for rebellious human- in him” (Psa 2:12b).

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