Open Communication

Scripture:

Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

(Rev. 11:19 NRSV)

Observation:

The continuing vision of John is vivid, opening up the heavens and allowing him to view God’s temple. There, in the middle of the temple we see the ark of the covenant. This ark which has not been seen by God’s people since around 586 BC. John would have never seen the ark and yet, now he is privileged to catch a glimpse. 

This view of the ark of the covenant reveals the open communication which is now to be seen between heaven and earth. The long-hidden ark is preserved and is in God’s temple as a reminder that God does not forget the promises which have been made. The everlasting covenant of God and humanity remains intact. Our long-suffering God continues to reach out to all of humanity. It is this view of the ark that reflects an opening of the lines of communication. It’s been suggested that there could be “a more free communication between heaven and earth; prayer and praises more freely and frequently going up, graces and blessings plentifully coming down.” (Henry) 

Application:

Through John’s vision we see God opening up heaven so that we can see right into God’s temple. This opening of communication is an invitation to a place in which we can experience the peace of God in the midst of troubled days. I think this means that you and I are to be engaged in a lifestyle of prayer and praises which are to make their way to the very heavens. I’ve said it before, but when my grandpa Johnson prayed, I used to think he and God were alone in a room together, because there was such intimacy. I hunger for that kind of intimacy with God: that sense that the heavens have been opened and I can see the very promises of God that will sustain me throughout this lifetime. 

The more that We participate in the very activity of heaven, through this open communication, the more that we experience the graces and blessings coming down. It’s not that those graces and blessings haven’t been present, but I think that we often do not see them because we are not aware of God’s activity in the world. It’s when we spend more time participating with God that we recognize God’s activity. Then we recognize the streams of prevenient grace which are flowing and places where we can join God in this ministry to the world. 

All of this is in preparation and encouragement for those who will suffer through days of great turmoil. There will be a time when the world will almost entirely turn their backs on the scriptures and God’s laws will be laid aside by governmental decrees. It’s then that we must live into the open and free communication available to all of those who are children of the covenant. The day will come when God will bring the children of the covenant home to eternal safety. 

It’s free communication which provides the channel for receiving strength from our holy God. The invitation is to participate, both in sending praise, and receiving grace. 

Prayer:

Lord, I praise you today, and live in anticipation of your grace. Amen.