On Earth As It Is In Heaven

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. (Revelation 4:4)

There are many ways in which the Christian is to be living on earth as it is in heaven. I want to encourage you with today’s verse, which communicates the idea of nearness to your Savior. The twenty-four elders seated surrounding our Savior represent all the saints in heaven.

This glorious verse presents us with a few biblical truths: Their vision is clear, their access is constant, and their fellowship is close. Inasmuch as we shall not all be equal in the rewards we receive for faithful and fruitful service rendered during our time on earth, each saint has an equal share of their Savior, resting in His unwavering love, unending mercy, and unrelenting grace. All the saints in heaven will equally enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Should we not, as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, imitate on earth what is in heaven? Should we not joyfully embrace our proximity to the Prince of Peace? Close and constant communion is to occupy both the center and the circumference of our lives. Let us not allow anything to come between us and our Savior — not the temptation to sin nor the trials of this life. We have been made more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, who loved us so much that He took our place on a cross so that we might take our place at His table.

Let me ask you: How near have you been to your Savior lately? Have you been spending time in His Word? Have you been in daily communion with Him through prayer? Has anything come between you and your Savior? If the answer to that last question is yes, I urge you to take the necessary steps to remove it as far as the east is from the west. And if that thing is something in the past — some failure, some mistake, even some willful act of flagrant sin — remember the glorious truth presented to you by the apostle John: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Jesus will tolerate no rivals – nor should He. Keep close communion with Jesus on earth as it in heaven, and you will experience the truths of John 15:5 and 11 — “If you remain in me and I in you,” Jesus promised, “you will bear much fruit. . . . so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!