John 1: 50-51
“Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.'”
Isn’t it wonderful how Jesus maintains his heavenly perspective even while he is in the form of a person on earth? Being seen by the Son of God before you even know he exists is impressive. Yet that is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Jesus promises even more.
Q: For those of you who know your Bibles well; who else do you know of who saw heaven open?
I have read of two others,..Jacob and Stephen
I should probably look this up, but all who were at Jesus’s baptism. Heaven opened and the Spirit descended upon Him like a dove.
Anyway, I’ll look it up later at home. On the bus going to work at the moment and just felt like commenting.
Have a blessed to you all.
Blessings to you also Robster.
Jacob, Gen. 28:10-19
Stephen , Acts 7:56
John, Rev. 4:1, 19:11
Ezekiel 1:1
John the baptist and all at baptism of Jesus
Peter, Acts 10:11
Well, as far as I can tell, I think Ron Toole got them or at least most of them. There are nuances of whether someone saw heaven opened up or just saw into heaven – like the Apostle Paul when he was taken to the third heaven. Certainly John saw many heavenly visions and was taken to scenes in heaven in Revelation. Several of the OT prophets saw visions in heaven like in Isaiah 6. My favorite is the aforementioned (by others) Stephen at his stoning in Acts 7. He saw Jesus standing (Which says something as Jesus is normally seen as sitting at the right hand of God) at the right hand of God. I find it comforting that at his hour of great need, Jesus was there to provide strength, peace and encouragement for Stephen as he was martyred. Who knows how many of God’s people have seen Him standing on their behalf as they were martyred for their faith, or maybe even simply as they were passing into eternity.
Great comments! Isn’t it amazing how often God has given mankind a glimpse of heaven?
I did a bit of research on this and then later came back and read the comments from 2018; looks like Ron Toole did get them all except maybe one(?).
Recap of Ron’s post (2018):
Jacob, Gen. 28:10-19
Stephen , Acts 7:56
John, Rev. 4:1, 19:11
Ezekiel 1:1
John the Baptist and all at baptism of Jesus
Peter, Acts 10:11
Perhaps one more:
2 Kings 6:15-17 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
I know we look to Heaven above but it is comforting to me to think that there is also God’s dominion all around us. Not just from afar, way up, out of reach, inaccessible, but literally right next to us.
One last gem I read this morning in my research:
Colossians 3:1-4 If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Chris,
Thank you! I appreciate you taking another run at this topic. I like the reference to Elisha in 2 Kings 6. That passage always makes me wonder what we would “see” if we could see like Elisha. Was he always aware of the heavenly beings around him? What an amazing world view that would be!
As we read the Bible and spend time with our Father in prayer, these things become more real to us. In a way, we do start to “see” more clearly.