Melissa Small supports her husband, Rusty, in his ministry as a pastor at Liberty Baptist Church while raising her 2 boys, James and Thomas. She also serves as the women’s ministry leader and on the worship team at her church. She has a passion for women growing deeper in their knowledge of God’s Word and fostering a supportive Christian community among women. A doctorate in Education and Christian Leadership aids in accomplishing these goals through teaching, mentoring, and Bible study.
This week has brought a lot of focus on eternity with a current weekly church Bible study of Revelation by Jen Wilkin, coupled with discussions at home with a six- and four-year-old regarding family members in heaven (grandparents and infant siblings) and what heaven will be like for all involved there. As all of these topics were swirling in my mind, the biggest concept that stood out to me this week was the idea of John peering through an open door to heaven in Revelation 4.
I have conversations often in a church context where believers want more details about what heaven entails. They want to know what loved ones are doing in heaven now. They also want to know what we will be doing in a heavenly context. Revelation gives us a glimpse into that very scene and tells us what is crucial. God is on His rightful throne. Jesus is sitting at His right hand. Saints and angels are worshiping Him. And as I read the scripture of the 24 elders casting their crowns before the throne of God, it reveals what heaven will be and how the questions often asked are not likely answers we will continue to be anxious to know upon entering the presence of our Holy Creator, God, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, the worthy Lamb who was slain.
This world feels out of sorts with little indication it will be at peace and rest any time soon. Though this age-old phenomenon is nothing new, it still feels unnerving. However, I find that being overly focused on the details of earth or even the minutiae of heaven can remove the glory of God that will pale any earthly woe or concerns about heavenly details in comparison (Romans 8:18). God is on the throne, always has been, always will be. He can be trusted in life and death. But this is a truth that can escape us the moment we experience undesired events, personal hurt, feel overwhelmed or even turn on the news. Calling out His holiness with the many words of Revelation scripture put to music is a powerful remedy for worrying about daily details and setting sights on who God is. It can provide an open door into the throne room where He currently resides, not just in the future, but right now. Here are a few worship songs that powerfully call out these truths:
- Endless Praise (Charity Gayle)
- Revelation Song (Kari Jobe)
- You’re Worthy of It All (CeCe Winans)
To surround the throne of God in heaven saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming. Our Lord God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power because you have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created” (Rev. 4:8b,11) is a glimpse we have and can partake in now. We can have heaven on earth. Take time to experience a moment of heaven today. He is WORTHY! Tell God who He is and “the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace” (Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus).
