Ever toed a line drawn in the sand when the call is made for a volunteer to step forward and take up a daunting challenge? Almost involuntarily, you look up and down the line to see who is responding, only to discover that no one is moving forward to accept the challenge. Nobody feels competent to accept the call to action.
You're hoping someone will, lest you have to respond and you're unsure if you'll have what it takes. You're "sweating bullets." The seconds and minutes of waiting melt into what seems hours. Everyone's body language is a "show and tell" of uneasy resignation that the call went out, but no one is going to respond. No one feels worthy.
Perhaps you have experienced this moment of drama in a high school gym class, a military boot camp or a summer youth program where everything was "cushy" until you were asked to step forward and make the difference.
But this story isn't reserved for you or me or, for that matter, the here and now. It parallels the above-mentioned scenario, but with one noticeable difference: Someone does courageously step forward—once and forever.
It is one of the incredible prophetic "Kodak moments" in which the scriptural signpost in the book of Revelation tells you: Photograph the moment; develop it in your heart, and bring it out repeatedly to remember its message. Where, when, why, who and how does this memorable snapshot take place in the realm of the prophetic landscape?
The door to heaven opens
Revelation's message opens with the ascended Jesus Christ walking in the midst of the churches to encourage them as they remain in a wayward world apart from God. The end of chapter 3 speaks of Christ knocking on doors of those whom God is calling and then, a new door opens, not on earth, but in heaven (chapter 4:1).
Why is this transition from earth to heaven so important? The saints in this apocalyptic vision remain in a troubled world. Spiritual danger, as well as physical harm, appear to be their destiny. Everywhere are bewildering and seemingly insurmountable challenges to remain true to the divine calling.
