Blog

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.“ – Revelation 19:11

This is the final climactic reference in the Bible to God’s opened heavens. 

Sometimes, as in this verse, heaven is opened in judgment; other times it is opened in blessing.  Sometimes it is the atmospheric heaven that is open; other times it is the heaven of heavens where stands the throne of God.

The first such mention refers to the world-destroying Flood of Noah’s day when “the windows of heaven were opened” – Genesis 7:11.

The second mention, however, speaks of blessing.  God had “opened the doors of heaven; He rained down manna upon them to eat and gave them food from heaven.” – Psalm 78:23-24.

The windows of heaven rained down the waters of death, while the doors of heaven rained down the bread of life!

Isaiah prophesied regarding the End Times: “For the windows above are opened, and the foundations of the earth shake.” – Isaiah 24:18.

Ezekiel also saw the heavens opened in judgment: “the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.” – Ezekiel 1:1.

But God told Malachi: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse … and test me now … if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” – Malachi 3:10.

At the baptism of Jesus, the heavens were opened and men heard the great testimony of the Father concerning His beloved Son:

• “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.’ ” – Matthew 3:16-17
• “Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.’ ” – Mark 1:10
• “Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.’ ” Luke 3:21-22

Jesus promised Nathanael, at the start of His ministry, “ ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’ ” – John 1:51.

Stephen saw the heavens open, as he was being stoned to death: “ ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ ” – Acts 7:56.

Peter, in a trance, saw heaven opened: “… he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him… ’ – Acts 10:10-11.

The apostle John reported “a door standing open in heaven” – Revelation 4:1, and he saw the Lord on His throne.

The seven bowls of God’s wrath: “After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened, and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple …” – Revelation 15:5.

At the seventh trumpet: “And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple.” – Revelation 11:19.

Quoting once again: “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.“ – Revelation 19:11 – when the Lord Jesus Christ comes for Armageddon to destroy the wicked:

• “But transgressors will be altogether destroyed.” – Psalms 37:38
• “Woe to them, for they have strayed from Me!  Destruction is theirs, for they have rebelled against Me!  I would redeem them, but they speak lies against Me.” – Hosea 7:13
• “Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ?” – 1 John 2:22
• “These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:9

Credit: ICR, Days of Praise: May 22, 2018