Fri.’s Devo - The Open Door

Read: Obadiah 1:1-21; Revelation 4:1-11; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 29:24-25
Obadiah had a vision concerning Edom. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother. All of Edom’s friends and enemies were going to turn against her and leave her barren and desolate. This is God’s judgment on her because she didn’t come to Israel’s defense. She became like Israel’s enemy so now Edom would be left without help. All the evil Edom had done against her enemies would now come upon her. She would have no survivors -no remnant. Her land would be given to Jacob’s descendants.
In Revelation, the church ages were all over (which is where we are right now). John was shown an open door and an invitation saying to come up here. He was shown the throne of God, the seven lamps which are the seven spirits of God and a sea of glass. In the center of the throne were the four living creatures that Ezekiel and Daniel saw. Twenty-four elders fell down in worship of God on the throne.
Every thing about God is layered and has multiple meanings. For example, the seven lamps stand for the seven church ages and also the seven spirits of God mentioned in Isaiah 11:2 - the spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord. The seventh spirit was the Lord himself which had all the others. The four living creatures represented the four gospels, the four main kingdoms of the earth, the four ministries of Christ and probably many other things. There message was that God is holy and eternal.
I assume the twenty-four elders represent the twelve disciples and the twelve tribes of Israel which embodies the whole body of believers throughout time. They have to represent people who have been redeemed because they are the only ones who have a crown to throw at Jesus feet.
God is inviting us to come visit heaven. The door is open.
Lord, it is so exciting to think about the day time will be over and we will throw our crowns at your feet. Everything we do is for you. May we experience heaven as we live on earth.