3:22 3:22

Revelation 4:1

4:2 4:2

Bible Versions

¶ 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.
After {G3326} this {G5023} I looked {G1492}, and {G2532}, behold {G2400}, a door {G2374} was opened {G455} in {G1722} heaven {G3772}: and {G2532} the first {G4413} voice {G5456} which {G3739} I heard {G191} was as it were of {G5613} a trumpet {G4536} talking {G2980} with {G3326} me {G1700}; which said {G3004}, Come up {G305} hither {G5602}, and {G2532} I will shew {G1166} thee {G4671} things which {G3739} must {G1163} be {G1096} hereafter {G3326}{G5023}.
After these things, I looked; and there before me was a door standing open in heaven; and the voice like a trumpet which I had heard speaking with me before said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.”
After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.”
After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, a voiceas of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter.

Revelation 4:1 marks a pivotal transition in the Book of Revelation. Following the messages to the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3, this verse shifts the focus dramatically from the earthly churches to the heavenly realm, setting the stage for the grand visions of future events that constitute the bulk of the book.

Context

The Apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos, has just finished recording the specific messages dictated by Christ for seven churches in Asia Minor (see Revelation 1:11). Verse 4:1 begins with "After this," indicating a chronological or thematic progression from the church age to the divine perspective on future judgment and redemption. John is given a vision that transcends earthly concerns and brings him into the very presence of God's throne room.

Key Themes

  • Access to Heaven: The "opened door" signifies direct, albeit visionary, access to the heavenly realm and God's immediate presence, a privilege granted to John for the purpose of revelation.
  • Divine Invitation: The commanding voice, described as a trumpet, calls John to "Come up hither," indicating a divine summons to a higher perspective and deeper understanding.
  • Future Prophecy: The explicit purpose of the vision is to "shew thee things which must be hereafter," highlighting the book's primary focus on eschatology – the study of last things and future events from God's perspective.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "After this" translates the Greek meta tauta (μετὰ ταῦτα), a key transitional phrase used multiple times in Revelation (see Revelation 1:19, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 15:5, Revelation 18:1). It signals a new section or sequence of events in the vision.

The description of the voice "as it were of a trumpet" (ὡς σάλπιγγος - hos salpingos) suggests a loud, clear, authoritative, and attention-grabbing sound, often associated with divine pronouncements or significant events in scripture (compare Exodus 19:16; Hebrews 12:19).

Reflection and Application

Revelation 4:1 assures believers that God is in control of history. After addressing the state of the church on earth, the vision moves to the sovereign God in heaven, from whom all future events proceed. This transition provides a heavenly perspective that frames the trials and triumphs of the church within God's ultimate plan. The invitation to "Come up hither" can be seen as a spiritual invitation for believers today to lift their gaze beyond earthly troubles and gain God's perspective on the unfolding of history and the certainty of His promises.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Revelation 1:19

    Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

  • Revelation 1:10

    I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

  • Mark 1:10

    And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

  • 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:

  • Revelation 1:3

    ¶ Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.
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