Come Up Here and See
by Terry Wane Benton
"After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this" (Revelation 4:1).
John has seen the strengths and weaknesses of the churches of Asia and encourages each person in each church to be an “overcomer” of weaknesses and apathy and rise up to the challenge before them. The tools of victory are within reach of each one of us. We can “do all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Philippians 4:13). But part of being an overcomer is filling your heart and mind with a greater internal vision of God’s greatness and glory.
Seeing things from a heavenly perspective and not just viewing things with earth-bound concerns is what we need. There is a “door standing open in heaven” inviting us to come in spirit and see things from a heavenly and God-inclusive viewpoint.
We tend to view things in a limited way from our human and earth-bound perspective. Isaiah 6:1-3 is related to this text in that Isaiah got to see things inclusive of the Almighty. How awesome was this vision to Isaiah! When we have a larger view of things our perspective from a heavenly vantage point is very helpful and empowering. Isaiah saw a similar heaven-inclusive perspective. From this vantage point, you get to see into the future and brace for the storm and also find comfort in knowing it will work for good to those who love the Lord (Romans 8:28).
“Things which must take place after this” would be bewildering and scary if you didn’t know how it would work out for the saints. The “overcomers” can utilize this perspective to give themselves extra strength and encouragement to hold on tightly to their faith in the One who has the keys of Hades and the key of David. We hear earthly voices of anxiety, worry, and fear, but let the trumpet voice of the Spirit sound in those “ears to hear”. Let the voice be like a trumpet that gets your full attention.
Let it drown out all worldly voices of doubt and fear. “Come up here” so you can see the whole truth about what is happening in your world. We wrestle against forces in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12) and here is a view about how those forces and powers work out into events on earth. Come up here and get a better vantage point. It works out well for God’s people! Come up here and see! There is a throne set in place that we need to see so that we can truly see how things will work in favor of God's people! If you are aligned with that One on that throne, and if you can see things from heaven's vantage point, this book (Revelation) will be a great blessing for you to read and keep in mind! Come up here and truly see!
