Sermon Prep Revelation 19:11

Study on: “The heavens being opened”

Less a theme of connecting to the term “heavens being opened” and more connecting to Jesus’ baptism. The heaven’s being torn open serve as indicators as the beginning and the end. They are the tip off whistle and the end of the the game whistle.

But why is this significant? Why the heavens being opened? Because this portrays the identity of Christ. Christ himself acts like the heavens being torn open, God comes to earth to walk among his people, Jesus himself is heaven on earth.

Jesus being baptized

Matt. 3:16 “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;”

MARK 1:10 “And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”

Luke 3:21 “Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,”

All of these portray how Jesus begins and ends his ministry with the heaven’s being opened. The connection is Jesus is the son of God coming from heaven, him having the Spirit come on him through heaven and then coming down through heaven shows his nature of divinity.

Calling of Nathanael and Philip

John 1:51 “And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”” I understand this connection as relating to the judgement. So this informs me that Jesus has had in end in mind since the beginning of his ministry when he calls his disciples.

Acts 7:56 “And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.””

Acts 10:11 “and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.”

Understanding “white horse”

There is white horse imagery in Rev. 6:2 “And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.” But this verse does not seem referential to 19:11 so I am not going to include it in my studying. The CSB translation committee seem to agree as they do not give a footnote to 6:2 in 19:11.

My biggest connection here is in contrast to the colt Jesus comes in on during his entrance to Jerusalem. “This time he enters on a donkey, the next time he will enter on a war horse”.

Mark 11:1-11 “Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom o…”

This is another connection to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry to the end of it. This specific connection shows his humility in coming to Jerusalem peacefully the first time. The heavens being opened shows his humility too because he actually comes on earth to dwell with his creation.

Understanding “and the one who is sitting on it is called faithful and true”

I am really not understanding any specific biblical theological connections besides that Christ is indeed faithful and true.

Uses of the two terms together:

Rev. 3:14 ““And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.”

Rev. 21:5 “And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.””

Rev. 22:6 “And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.””

These words are only used together in Revelation. All referring to the words of God or to Christ. Perhaps signifying he is faithful to judge and is true because he said he would judge. Aka: he is faithful and true to make good on his promise to judge.