THE HIGHER VIEW

"Come up here! . . . Come up here!" (Revelation 4:1; 11:12, NKJV)

IF A PERSON HAS "EARS TO HEAR," the call is still coming from heaven, "Come up here!" In these texts, the exhortation was spoken to John the Apostle – the "disciple whom Jesus loved." At the time, he was not groveling in despair, or wrestling with fleshly and mundane views. Instead, He was "in the Spirit," conscious of heaven and hearing from Jesus (Rev 1:10).

BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF FAITH, it must have the higher view. That does not obviate the necessity or value of the detailed views, of comprehending things having to do with this life and our various responsibilities in this world. However, the details of life can only be correctly seen within the context of the higher view. They must be seen from a heavenly perspective. This was the experience of John on the Isle of Patmos. He was given to see events that took place upon the earth. However, he was given to see them from a high and lofty perspective. In this view, he saw the real nature of things, whether of conflict and blessing, or life and of death.

IN THE WORLD, learning takes place at the lowest, or detailed, level. Thus we first learn about words, then use sentences, then express thoughts, etc. But this is not the manner of the Kingdom. Spiritual learning begins at the highest level. The Gospel, for example, is the proclamation of what the Lord has done in Christ Jesus – the higher view. Once faith lays hold of that, the details of obedience, following the Lamb, etc., are provided, and can be comprehended. It is "in light" that we are able to "see light" (Psa 36:9): i.e., within the higher view, or Divine summation, the details of doctrine come into sharper focus. If, for example, you can see that Christ has "destroyed" the devil (Heb 2:14), it makes sense that you can "resist" him (James 4:17).

THOSE WHO MAJOR ON THE DETAILS of Christian living, even though they mean well, have greatly handicapped the saints. Men dispatched by the Lord "preach Christ," not obligations (Acts 8:5; 17:3; 2 Cor 4:5; Col 1:28). This does NOT mean they never declare the responsibilities of men, or warn against the neglect of those responsibilities. It DOES mean the focus of their preaching was the Lord Jesus Himself. The heart of their proclamation was the Lord and what He had done. They consistently spoke of the duty of men WITHIN the context of Christ Jesus and His great salvation. Their exposition was NOT of duty, but of Christ and salvation. Within that greater context commandments, exhortation, and instruction in righteousness make perfect sense.

COME UP HIGHER! Even though John was "in the Spirit on the Lord's day," the heavenly summons was "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this" (4:1). The Lord, in a sense, did not bring the Revelation down to John, but brought John UP to it. He was being given a higher view of the Kingdom of our Lord and His Christ. The higher view would allow for a glorious summation that would actually clarify what was occurring on the earth.

IN THESE LOFTY SPIRITUAL REALMS, the development of theological positions is not at all the point. The definition of historical events is not the focus. That does not mean theological positions are wrong, or that historical events cannot be, to some degree, identified – even in the book of the Revelation. However, such things are not the intention of the Book. Should we pursue that approach, we will not gain the benefit God's Word is intended to bring. Too, we will set ourselves against one another over matters of opinion.

WE MUST BE CHALLENGED to "come up higher" (KJV) – to enter the realms where the consummation looms larger than the means through which it is accomplished. Every believer, regardless of their level of spiritual attainment, can grasp the conclusions affirmed in Scripture. We are told of the destiny of the saints, the devil, political opposition, and religious corruption. We are told of a lake of fire as well as a place where God and His people will be joined together – and we are told who will occupy both places. All of these are quite clear.

DO NOT TAKE FOR GRANTED that these things are known by everyone. The best of saints can easily forget them in the wake of persecution, frustration, and protracted warfare. They must be reminded of them – having their "pure minds" stirred up with the recollection of them. Persecution and hardship will be easier to endure if we can see "the end of all things." Faithfulness and obedience will be more cheerfully and consistently rendered if we are convinced our labor is not vain in the Lord.

SO, COME UP HIGHER! Do your best not to get caught up in the minutia of life, or attach too much meaning to what you are presently experiencing. Pleasure is good, and pain is bad. But pleasure is not the best thing, and pain is not the worst thing. When you come up higher, you are given to see both the best and the worst. Then, from that lofty perspective, you are assured you can have the best!

– Given O. Blakely