A GLIMPSE INTO GLORY (11 OF 29)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: Revelation 4:2-11
This content is part of a series.
A Glimpse into Glory (11 of 29)
Series: Live Like You're Leaving
Keith Krell
Revelation 4:1-11
What do the biblical authors Ezekiel, Isaiah, Paul, and John have in common? They were the only people allowed to see a vision of heaven. And only three of these men later wrote about what they saw-and the details they gave were sparse. In fact, Paul was forbidden from sharing about his experience. Yet, interestingly, there are approximately 50 books on Amazon of people who have visited heaven! Unlike the biblical authors, these individuals have provided extensive details, produced movies, promoted their experience on talk shows, and conducted seminars and speaking tours.
So why is there such a discrepancy between biblical authors and contemporary authors? Most likely, the growing interest in heaven has led to many personal experiences that go beyond the biblical record. In a 2014 CBS News poll, a whopping three in four Americans believe in the existence of heaven or hell, including 66 percent who think both exist. Among those who believe in heaven or hell, 82 percent expect to wind up in heaven at the end of their lives; two percent says they expect to end up in hell. Needless to say, people today have a genuine curiosity about heaven.
Fortunately, Revelation 4 offers the first detailed expression of heaven in the Bible. But before we begin our study, we must remember where this chapter fits into the whole book. Revelation 1:19 provides a simple outline of the letter: ''Therefore, write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.'' ''The things you have seen'' refers to the vision of the exalted Christ in 1:12-18. ''The things that are'' refers to the seven letters in chapters 2-3. ''The things which shall take place after these things'' refers to the visions of the rest of the letter. Thus, chapters 4-22 are a prophecy of future events. Specifically, Revelation 4 and 5 are the pivot ...
Series: Live Like You're Leaving
Keith Krell
Revelation 4:1-11
What do the biblical authors Ezekiel, Isaiah, Paul, and John have in common? They were the only people allowed to see a vision of heaven. And only three of these men later wrote about what they saw-and the details they gave were sparse. In fact, Paul was forbidden from sharing about his experience. Yet, interestingly, there are approximately 50 books on Amazon of people who have visited heaven! Unlike the biblical authors, these individuals have provided extensive details, produced movies, promoted their experience on talk shows, and conducted seminars and speaking tours.
So why is there such a discrepancy between biblical authors and contemporary authors? Most likely, the growing interest in heaven has led to many personal experiences that go beyond the biblical record. In a 2014 CBS News poll, a whopping three in four Americans believe in the existence of heaven or hell, including 66 percent who think both exist. Among those who believe in heaven or hell, 82 percent expect to wind up in heaven at the end of their lives; two percent says they expect to end up in hell. Needless to say, people today have a genuine curiosity about heaven.
Fortunately, Revelation 4 offers the first detailed expression of heaven in the Bible. But before we begin our study, we must remember where this chapter fits into the whole book. Revelation 1:19 provides a simple outline of the letter: ''Therefore, write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.'' ''The things you have seen'' refers to the vision of the exalted Christ in 1:12-18. ''The things that are'' refers to the seven letters in chapters 2-3. ''The things which shall take place after these things'' refers to the visions of the rest of the letter. Thus, chapters 4-22 are a prophecy of future events. Specifically, Revelation 4 and 5 are the pivot ...
There are 32521 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
