COME UP HITHER
Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Revelation 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
There are actually two “Come up hither” phrases in the Book of the Revelation. Mr. C. I. Scofield* in his deceptive notes states that the one in chapter four is “a symbolic representation of the translation of the Church as occurring before the events of the tribulation…” But of course, he is absolutely wrong. For all one has to do is just simply read verse two of chapter four and it will clearly and readily be seen that the results was, “and immediately I was in the spirit.” – It does not state, “immediately WE were in heaven!”
In our Revelation four verse we see that John states the Lord Jesus was “talking with me.” For he was receiving an invitation to rise up into the new realm of the spiritual, leaving the old realm of Moses’ law. And this was in answer to his tearful concerns, as we read him stating in Revelation 5:4, “I wept much.” For his tears were due to the fact that things in the Old Economy were over. The temple veil was split, thus polluting the holy place. The one sacrifice of the Lamb of God had ended all animal sacrifices forever. And the priesthood was changed. Therefore John was weeping as that old system was all he had ever known! So the Lord Jesus is here inviting John to leave that realm of the natural order under the law, and come up into the spiritual realm in the new administration of Christ’s sovereign reign in the Holy Spirit.
The called to Moses and to John was to both of them a personal call. But both were to teach the people all that they had witnessed there alone with God. Exodus 24:12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. 34:2 And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. (See also Revelation 1:1 and 21:5 listed below.)
The Apostle Paul expresses it to the Church at Corinth like this in 2 Corinthians 4:18, While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. But Mr. Scofield, like Nicodemus, could only see earthly things! Neither had a spiritual mind! John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Then we have listed for you the other phrase, “Come up hither,” as recorded in Revelation 11:12. Here it does speak of “they.” That is different from Christ only addressing John in Revelation four! And what were the results upon receiving this command? “And they ascended!” John’s feet didn’t leave the ground. He was still on rocky Patmos the entire time. For, as we said, that passage was only inviting John, as a representative person, to rise up into the spiritual realm of the new economy, or New Testament age, in order to receive instructions regarding Christ’s new administration. Revelation 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Also the Revelation four account has no clouds! But the Revelation eleven passage, related to “they,” does have clouds. And their results was, “they ascended up to heaven in a cloud.” Which goes along with the Apostle Paul’s writings. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Whereas John’s results upon hearing this same phrase was, “immediately I was in the spirit.” No clouds are involved. Therefore the ascension of the church, being caught up to meet the Lord is here seen in Revelation 11:12, and not in Revelation 4:1!
And we must not omit the two beginning words of Revelation 4:1. For that verse begins with the words, After this. For here the Lord takes John away from the view of the seven churches of Asia. And this brings on the next division of this book. The divisions of the book are listed in chapter one and verse nineteen. Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
First, the things which thou hast seen is referring to chapter one. Then he is to write of the things which are. This is seen in chapters two and three of the time then present revealing the condition of those seven churches. And finally he was to write the things which shall be hereafter. And that includes chapters four throughout the remainder of the book. And for this last one consider the very first verse of this book. Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
But we must remember that we are to see these things from the viewpoint of John’s then present day, and not ours! For, as already stated, it was the revealing of the things of the new administration of King Jesus in his newly established kingdom. Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
So it was “after that” John had been shown the already begun deterioration of these seven churches at this early beginning of Christianity that he was directed to now look heavenly. And there is where the true organism of the church would be seated throughout the ages. (For the true church is a living organism and not just an organization.) Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
It is amazing to see that Satan had already joined the church, even setting up his throne in the one in Pergamos. Revelation 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: (that word “seat” is the same word translated “throne.”), and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
And the Apostle Paul had already prophesied of this. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Satan is said to have “transformed himself!” Christ was “transfigured.” That is, the holiness and glory of his inner, true self was allowed to shine through his outer coverings. But Satan is said to be “transformed.” That is, for means of deception he altered his appearance to seem to be that which he was not.
And he gives “his ministers,” (that is, Devil-called preachers), the ability to transform themselves also. 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
And therefore we see our Lord Jesus standing outside of these organized religious bodies, to see if there are any individuals therein, who would “open the door” of organized religion to identify with him. Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
And we later read that there would be a sovereign call for “his people” to come out of her. Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. The Holy Spirit will first get religion out of you, and then get you out of organized religion! “God first got Egypt out of Moses. Then he got Moses out of Egypt. Then it was safe to send Moses back into Egypt to get his people out.” B.B. Caldwell
Hebrews 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
We also notice that the Apostle John identifies the voice speaking to him as “the first voice.” And the speaking of that voice is first recorded in chapter one and verse ten. There it is identified as the voice of “Alpha and Omega.” Following this we are given the only authorized ‘description’ of the Lord Christ! And it is set forth, as it should be, in spiritual symbolism. For making physical likenesses of God is still forbidden! Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
The voice which spoke to John was , “as it were of a trumpet.” And we should take note that the actual trumpets which God set forth to Israel were to be of silver. And silver pictures redemption. For it was pieces of silver for which the Lord Jesus was sold for our redemption. And since we are predestinated to be conformed into his image (Romans 8:29), we are to be living sacrifices. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And the trumpets were for the assembling and directing of the camp. Numbers 10:2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
Christ’s voice is still the only directing of the true flock of God. John 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Revelation 14:4 …These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
The Lord Jesus authorized the Holy Spirit to “take of mine and show it unto you.” (John 16:15) And every redeemed believer has the Holy Spirit to guide him! Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Thereby they have the teacher on the inside of them showing them the way! 1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Before the return of our Lord, the entirety of the true believers shall be purged from all error for their presentation to him. For they have but one Lord and one faith! Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Pastor Gene Breed
August 2, 2018
* See “The Incredible Scofield” by Joseph M. Canfield; Ross House Books, 1988
