"A look into heaven itself"

See Revelation chapter 4:1

Today, I'd like to simply look at the first verse of chapter 4.

After these things I looked and behold a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this"

The "after these things" is no doubt a reference to the things of chapters 2-3, which comprise 7 letters from Jesus to 7 actual churches that existed in John's day. These letters are also believed by many to comprise the entire age of the church, from the early church to the last days church.

So, the after these things may indeed be referencing the church age, and what is recorded for us in chapter 4, would be the things that will happen after the church age, or at the end of the church age. This is a very commonly held view by many very respected Bible commentators and scholars.

John tells us that "I looked and behold a door standing open in heaven" This is what he saw. A door that was open in heaven. He could see in past the door, looking into heaven itself.

Then, he says, "And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me" Later he will tell us what else he heard, but right off the bat, he heard this first voice. We don't know whose voice it was, only that it was a voice, and that it sounded like a trumpet speaking to him.

"Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this" So, John was being invited as it were to come up into heaven itself, to be shown the things which would take place after the church age.

Some things to consider........

1. After is a word meaning, hereafter, or with, that is, with this comes something later, or afterwards. And, we know from the Bible of course that there is something after this life, and the Bible calls it the "hereafter" It's the the after part, it's what comes after this life.
See Proverbs 23:18 for an encouraging promise about the next life.

2. We are blessed to have the Bible to tell us what is coming after the things of this life.
That is essentially what the Book of Revelation is about. God unveils for us, through Jesus Christ, His plans for the next life, and more specifically, the plans He has for the very end of the worlds existence as we know it.

3. John was enabled to see this door that was open and that was in heaven. An open door in heaven. Not only is heaven a real place, but there is a door now to heaven. That door is Jesus Christ Himself.  John 10:9 "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture"

4. John heard a voice speaking to him,  it was like a trumpet, very distinct and easily heard.
The Word of God the Bible is the voice of God as it were. It is very clear, very easy to be heard, and there is God's message to us in the Bible.

5. The invitation to John, was to "Come up here ......." How glorious, how wonderful to have this invitation. It's an invitation that has been extended to many of you who are reading this devotional today. You may have accepted the invitation already, that is, you have come to Christ the door, and are now saved, and you are on your way to heaven someday. Or you may be considering what you have heard. I pray you will accept Jesus Christ

6. There are things which must take place after this. God does have a plan, and He will see to it, that His plan does take place. You can count on it. God has promised it to you. What a blessing to know that God does have a plan for us for the future.

Blessings to you.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"Jesus opens and closes doors"

In Revelation 3, the Lord Jesus Christ is unveiled for us, and we see not only Him as revealed in chapter 1, and then the churches are addressed, and then we see the things that will happen in the world.

But, in looking at the churches, let's just take another look at one of the things that Jesus said to the church in Philadelphia. See Rev 3:7-13 for the entire message to this church.

First of all, the Lord identifies Himself ( among other things ) as "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens"

So, the Lord has what is called the Key of David. This phrase if found in Isaiah 22:22.
In this portion of Isaiah, the Lord through the prophet was speaking to Judah, and was denouncing those nations that had at some time or another persecuted Judah, and also teaches that God is universally sovereign.

The particular section in Isa 22, is speaking of the death of a man named Shebna, and his replacement by God of a man named Eliakim, who would be given a position of responsibility over the house of Judah.

The key of David, is speaking of being in that position, and having the power to make decisions. Isaiah went on to speak of Eliakim, saying, " I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place, and he will become a glorious throne to his father's house.

So, Jesus in Rev 3, uses a portion of Isa 22, to speak of Himself as being in the position of power and responsibility and sovereignty.

Jesus is encouraging the church of Philadelphia to know that He is in the position to lead, to guide, and that no one can counter what He may want to do. For example, if He wants to open a door, there is no one who can counter that open door by shutting it. And, on the other hand, if He wants to close a door, there is no one who can counter it by opening it.

Jesus went on to say that He had set before this church "an open door"

Paul used similar language in his speaking to the Corinthian church . See 1 Cor 16:9 "For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."

Paul was using this language to speak about the possibility of expanding ministry, and of moving ministry into a new area. And, Paul recognized that this door that had opened, had been opened by someone other then himself. He implies that. He also mentions that on the other side, or around that door are many adversaries Doors and adversaries went together in this instance, as it seems they generally do in our service to Christ.

But, the thought here for our own consideration, is from my own mind, the thought of what doors are open to any of us in our service to Christ? What might the Lord be opening up for you at this time in your life and ministry? Where is the Lord leading you, and how would you describe the opportunities for ministry that are in front of you?

And, a companion thought would be, what doors are closing?

It's encouraging to me to recognize that the door is not just there by itself, but the Lord is in charge of doors. He holds the key. Doors need keys, and He is the holder of the key.
He opens and no one can close.

Try to imagine for a moment, someone, or a group of people who may be doing all they can to close a door that Jesus has opened. They might all push together, but to no avail. Because if the Lord has opened that door, they, those people do not have a greater power then Jesus does. They cannot close what He has opened.

I find great comfort in Christ's Leadership and power. I trust you do as well.


Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"I could wish you were cold or hot" Rev 3:15b

This final of 7 letters, is addressed to the angel, or the pastor of the church in the city called Laodicea. These are the things that Jesus said to him, the pastor, and then to the church there.

Jesus introduced Himself as......

1. The Amen.
2. The Faithful and True Witness.
3. The Beginning of the creation of God.

Jesus explained what He knew about them....

1. I know your works.
2. You are neither cold nor hot.

Jesus wished something for them..

1. I could wish you were cold or hot.

Jesus explained what would happen to them. 

1. Because you are lukewarm...
2. And neither cold nor hot.
3. I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Jesus gave them the following counsel.

1. Because you say "I am rich, and have need of nothing"
2. And do not know that you are wretched, miserable and poor,
3. And, you are blind, and naked.
4. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire.
5. That you may be clothed.
6. That the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.
7. And anoint your eyes with eye salve that you may see.

Jesus said the following about Himself and what He does.

1. As many as I love.
2. I rebuke and chasten.
3. Therefore be zealous and repent.
4. Behold I stand at the door and knock.
5. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and he with Me.
6. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne.
7. As I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
8. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.


Personal reflection and some applicational thoughts.

1. Jesus is revealed to us in great detail in 3:14
2. This church, though filled with problems, did have some works in it.
3. This church was the "lukewarm" church
4. Jesus wanted them to either be hot, or cold, but not lukewarm.
5. Their lukewarmness meant they would be vomited out of Christ's mouth.
6. Jesus had the true perspective about them.
7. He gave them counsel, because He loved them.
8. Jesus loves His church, and He will rebuke and chasten His church.
9. Jesus was seeking to have fellowship with this church.
10. The church was being invited to open their hearts to Jesus.
11. Jesus gave them a promise about the future.
12. Jesus would let "him who overscomes" sit with Him on His throne.
13. Jesus overcame, and has sat down with His Father on His throne.
14. There is hope even for the lukewarm church and it's members.



Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"To know that I have loved you" Rev 3:9

In His letter to the angel, or messenger of the church of Philadelphia, which means, brotherly love, here's what's said about Christ, about the church, and about some other people.

The Lord introduces Himself, and describes Himself. 


1. He who is Holy.
2. He who is True.
3. He who has the key of David.
4. He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.



The Lord describes them, and what He has and is doing in them as a church. 

1. I know your works.
2. See I have set before you an open door.
3. And no one can shut it.
4. For you have a little strength.
5. You have kept My Word.
6. You have not denied My Name.

The Lord explains what He is going to do those of the Synagogue of Satan. 

1. He describes these people as of the synagogue of Satan.
2. He assures the church He is going to act towards them.
3. He explains that they say they are Jews, but are not, but are liars.
4. He will make them come and worship before the church of Philadelphia's feet.
5. He will make them know that He has loved the church of Philadelphia.

The Lord further describes the church of Philadelphia. 

1. They had kept Jesus's command to persevere.
2. Jesus promises to keep them from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world.
3. The hour of trial or tribulation will test those who dwell on the earth.


The Lord tells them what He is going to do. 

1. Behold, I come quickly.


The last few things Jesus said to this church.

1. Hold fast what you have that no one may take your crown.
2. He who overcomes, I make him a pillar in the temple of My God.
3. And, he shall go our no more.
4. I will write on him the name of my God.
5. I will write on him the name of the city of My God the new Jerusalem.
6. The new Jerusalem comes down out of heaven from My God.
7. And I will write on him my new name.
8. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.


Some final thoughts in reflection and in application. 

1. One day, we will meet the pastor of this church, and it's members in heaven.
2. They are an example of grace, and interestingly, Jesus had no correction for them.
3. Christ was emphasizing to them His nature,  position, and  authority.
4. The main message to them seems to be about the open door He gave them.
5. He assured them, that no one could close what He opens and keeps open.
6. They did not have a large amount of strength.
7. Their little strength did not mean they were somehow deficient.
8. They also were keepers of His Word. Jesus commends them for this.
9. He also commended them for not denying His name.
10. They had trouble come upon them from liars.
11. One day the tables would be turned against their enemies.
12. This church also was faithful to simply "persevere", or hang in there.
13. The Lord promised this church they would not go through the "hour of trial"
14. Many people, including myself, believe this is the last days church.
15. I also believe the next church is part of the last days church. The lukewarm church.
16. The last days churches have a open door, little strength, and lot's of opposition.
17. The last days church includes many who are not hot or cold.
18. There are many promises made to the church of Philadelphia. ( 3:9-13 )


I do pray that you are blessed by your own reading, meditation, and study in this book of Revelation. We have the promise of blessing in it, from the Lord Himself. See Rev 1:3

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"You are alive, but you are dead"

That's part of what the Lord said to the church of Sardis, in Rev 3:2, for the entire message, please see Rev 3:1-6.

This is the 5th of seven letters sent by Jesus to actual churches that existed during John's day. These churches are also believed to represent what could be any church at any time, that is, a church could find itself in the very condition that is described in these letters.

It's also believed that the churches in these two chapters may represent the condition a christian might find themselves in.

And, finally, it's believed that these 7 churches represent the entire span of church history, from the early church right on down to the last days church.

So, let's take a quick look at the letter sent to the church of Sardis.


Here's how the Lord described them. 

1. They had works, as did the previous 4 churches. Thus they were a working church, they were working in Christ, and for Christ.

2. They had a name that they were alive, but you are dead says the Lord. This may very well mean they were devoid of, or without spiritual life and power. That is, they were a church in name only.


Here's what the Lord prescribed for them. 

1. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain and are ready to die. ( for I have not found your works perfect before God )

2. Remember therefore how you have received and heard:

3.  Hold fast and repent.


Here's the warning the Lord gave them. 

1. Therefore if you will not watch , I will come upon you as a thief.

2. And you will not know what hour I will come upon you.


Here's encouragement from the Lord to Sardis.

1. You have a few names even in Sardis that have not defiled their garments.

2. And they shall walk with Me in white for they are worthy.

3. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments.

4. And I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life;

5. But I will confess his name before My father and before His angels.

6. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.


A few thoughts in reflection and some application.

First of all, they did have works, but, to some degree their were people there who were Christians in name only.

Secondly, the church even though it had it's problems could take the instruction from the Lord and move forward in fruitfulness.

Thirdly, the Lord prescribed the Word for them. To remember the Word they had received and heard. To get themselves, back to the Word of God that had been given to them at one time.

Fourthly, the were to hold fast, ( to the Lord, to His Word, ) and they were to repent, ( that is to change their thinking, and their actions and activities )

Fifthly, there would be consequences if they did not heed the Lord's instruction to them. This is of course is consistent with the patience of God throughout the entire Bible. He is always so patient, and yet if anyone does not take His instruction, they will reap the consequences of that decision. And, so with this particular church as well.

Sixthly, there is much by way of encouragement to be found in 3:4-6. And, there is always much encouragement to be found by the Lord. He details it out in these verses.

Blessings to you.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

How amazingly different are God's ways and thoughts from our ways and thoughts.

" For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts" Isaiah 55:8-9

It's very encouraging to note the context of these two verses. These words given by God through Isaiah the prophet, were being spoken to a rebellious and sinful people. God was speaking to His own children, in Judah, before they went into captivity by the Babylonians. 

And, it seems that the main point God was trying to get across had to do with how gracious and loving, and forgiving He is, towards sinful and rebellious man. In other words, the way we would think and the way we would act towards someone, is not necessarily the way the Lord would think and act. 

So, here's what the Lord says.......

First of all, He has thoughts, Just like we do. Within Himself, He thinks with His mind. But, His thoughts are not like ours. They are infinitely different then ours. 

If you were to take how we might think about a person who is very sinful, very rebellious, very given over to idolatry, and extremely wicked, and cruel, and then compare those thoughts with God's thoughts, we could see the difference. 

For example, it seems to me, that the average person would not think to be so gracious towards a very wicked person. Wouldn't you agree. Not only would we not think to be gracious, but I don't believe we would be inclined then to give great blessings to that person. In fact, in Isaiah, there is a promise from God, where He says that He will give blessings in such abundance, that they will be greater then what He would give to His own sons and daughters.  ( See Isa 56:5 )

So, His thoughts are not like ours. They are so much different.

Secondly, His ways are not like ours. God has ways, just like we do. We often speak of the ways in which a person acts. Or how we act, or the way that anyone acts. The activities and things that people do. God's acts and activities are infinitely different then ours. 

What the Lord says in Isa 55:9, is to help us understand the difference between His thoughts, His ways, and our thoughts and ways. He does so by stating that "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 

So, what happens in these verses, ( 55:8-9 ) is to state that there is a difference, and then gives us a simple picture of how great that difference is,  by using distance to show the difference. 

The specific example He gives is that the heavens are higher than the earth, and just like they are higher, or a great distance, so my ways are higher, and my thoughts are higher than ours. 

So, the distance between the heaven and the earth is great, and that great distance is how different His and our thoughts and ways are. 

Below is my own attempt ( I'm not a scientist ) to try and explain using what we are standing on, i.e the earth, and then some of what is above us, the sun in particular, to help us understand this great difference between God and us. 

We have all heard of the speed of light, and of light years, and of how far various planets are from the earth. These are incredible numbers, and are awesomely greater than anything we know down on earth in our day to day lives and use of distance and time to measure things. 

The speed of light, the fact of what we call light years, and the various stellar bodies, planets, stars, and such are what I'm talking about. In other words, using those things to try and envision what the Lord is saying about the differences between Himself and us. 

Below is a brief articles from a web site, called, "how stuff works" Please enjoy it, and then I'll have just a few comments at the end. 

A light year is a way of measuring distance. That doesn't make much sense because "light year" contains the word "year," which is normally a unit of time. Even so, light years measure distance.

You are used to measuring distances in either inches/feet/miles or centimeters/meters/kilometers, depending on where you live. You know how long a foot or a meter is -- you are comfortable with these units because you use them every day. Same thing with miles and kilometers -- these are nice, human increments of distance.

When astronomers use their telescopes to look at stars, things are different. The distances are gigantic. For example, the closest star to Earth (besides our sun) is something like 24,000,000,000,000 miles (38,000,000,000,000 kilometers) away. That's the closest star. There are stars that are billions of times farther away than that. When you start talking about those kinds of distances, a mile or kilometer just isn't a practical unit to use because the numbers get too big. No one wants to write or talk about numbers that have 20 digits in them!

So to measure really long distances, people use a unit called a light year. Light travels at 186,000 miles per second (300,000 kilometers per second). Therefore, a light second is 186,000 miles (300,000 kilometers). A light year is the distance that light can travel in a year, or:

186,000 miles/second * 60 seconds/minute * 60 minutes/hour * 24 hours/day * 365 days/year = 5,865,696,000,000 miles/year

A light year is 5,865,696,000,000 miles (9,460,800,000,000 kilometers). That's a long way!

Ok, all of what's just above probably leaves you like me, with your mind's jaw wide open if you will. Things in the heavens are a long way a way. They are a great distance, and that's exactly what the Lord said, that the heavens are higher than the earth, and that height, that distance is a measurement of the difference between His thoughts and ways, and ours. They are vastly different. 

In closing, I would encourage you to read Isa 55, and try and get a feel for the context of 55:8-9, by reading 55:1-7, and particularly 55:7, and then go on to read the rest of the verses in 55:10-13, that talks about God's Word, it's power, and the plans and intentions He has.

Back to 55:6-7, the Lord calls for men to seek the Lord, and to do it while He may be found, and to call upon Him. He also calls the wicked to forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and to return to the Lord and He will have mercy on them, and pardon them abundantly. It's at this point that God then talks about His thoughts and ways being different than ours. 

In closing, may I say that our God is so wonderfully different than we are, in that He will forgive, He will pardon, He will bless those who have been wicked and unrighteous, He invites them to turn, to forsake, to seek Him, etc, etc. And He will bless them. 

How great is our God. 

Many blessings of grace to you. 

Pastor Bob Grenier 

Reflections on, and a Recap of the four letters from Jesus in Revelation Chapter 2.

Revelation Chapter 2, is believed to be part of "the things that are" ( see Rev 1:19 ) or part of the church age. Or what can happen to any church, at any time, or to any individual christian at any time.  And, Rev 2, is also believed to a record of church history up to a certain point. Chapter 3, will round out church history, bringing us right up till this last days church.

But, here's what the first four churches were like. Note: only one of them had no words of rebuke from Jesus. They all had some good fruit, but Jesus did not hold back from telling them what He had against them, or was against in general. Nor did He not have wonderful words of encouragement for each church, because He did, and I pray that you might be encouraged as well.


There was the active but loveless church.
There was encouragement to patience and no rebuke to the suffering church.
There was the church of pride and greed, and the misuse of spiritual authority.
There was the church that allowed sexual immorality to be taught and practiced.


So, if there is one thing very encouraging by way of example, it would be the patience being born by the church members in Pergamos. They were simply enduring persecution and trouble. And, that is one of the best things anyone can do who is in a similar situation. Just endure it. Endure the afflictions, don't give up, but rather just be patient, hang in there, and trust the Lord in the mean time.

As to the sins and activities to avoid, to repent of, to get rid of there is quite a list of them in 3 of these letters. And, it's interesting to note that the bad fruit can grow right along side of the good fruit. Like the wheat and the tares that Jesus spoke of.

Some things to consider.

From the active but loveless church at Ephesus, we see that we can do all that can be done, and yet not be doing ( or being ) the one thing that is the most important to the Lord, and that is our love for Him, and for others. We can be a hard working but unloving church. Something to take note of, and to examine in our own lives, and to repent of if needed.

Greed and pride, are twin powers that if given into can bring a man or a woman, or a church down.
Loving money is a root of all evil. It has pierced through many a soul, and is an ever present danger in and around us, and especially in this material loving world that is trying to exclude God, and make money, and materialism the god of all things and of all people.

Sexual sins are also a real and pervasive and never ending problem it seems. We see it almost daily on the news, and don't see it when it's hidden in the lives of people around us, or perhaps our own lives. It's a sin common to man, one that brings destruction into lives, and into marriages, to families, to jobs, to friends etc, etc. It's not right and anyone who says it is, is not in line with the teaching and heart of God. God created sex for the marriage bed, and not for anywhere else, or with anyone else. It's a husband and wife blessing.

God is slow to judge, and very patient in giving time to repent and change our ways. He does not want to pounce on anyone, but rather desires to lead them away from harmful things, and to heal them, and to bless them. But, there has to be a reception by the individual into God's grace and mercy.

These letters are a good window to look through into our own souls and see who we are, and see what we may or may not be doing. And, they are a great look at our wonderful and powerful loving, and graciously, merciful, all knowing and present in our churches Lord.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia