The Ladder to Heaven
Today’s Verse:
And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. ~Genesis 28:12
I think most adults and children are fascinated by firetrucks and the all the equipment and devices on them. I have always been especially intrigued with the long fire trucks that carry the extended ladders. These ladders can enable a firefighter to reach great, extended heights for rescue purposes. All of us appreciate the fact that a ladder enables us to extend our reach to something or somewhere that we would not otherwise be able to reach on our own. Jacob dreamed of a ladder that reached from earth to Heaven. On this ladder, the angels of God ascended and descended accordingly. There are four things I see about this ladder.
We see a place.
The top of the ladder reached to Heaven. Jacob later proclaimed, “This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” In his dream, Jacob was able to see all the way to the top and see the glory of Heaven. Heaven is the city of God. The psalmist referred to it as “the city of the great King.” Jesus called it “my Father’s house [where there] are many mansions.” Paul called it paradise. Heaven is the home of the saved. Heaven is where God wants you to spend eternity. Abraham looked for a city whose Builder and Maker is God: that’s Heaven! We should be looking ahead into the future towards Heaven. It is a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Are you looking forward to Heaven?
We see a Person.
At the top of the of the ladder is our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 1:51, He refers to this ladder and Himself. Heaven is about Jesus. He is the Lamb in Heaven Who is worshipped and sung about as “Worthy is the Lamb.” He is the exalted One Who sits at the right hand of God. He is the light and illumination of Heaven. "We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour." We see Jesus Who, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man. He is Jesus Who is risen from the dead. He is Jesus Who is the only and blessed Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
We see a performance.
Jesus says that the angels of God are ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. First, the angels are worshipping our Lord. All the angels of Heaven declare and worship the holiness of God. “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty." "Let the whole earth be filled with his glory.” The worship of the angels is continuous and honorable. Second, we see the angels doing the work of the Lord. They are His ministering spirits, a flame of fire. Our Lord sends them to encamp around them that fear Him. They are dispatched to fight the invisible, demonic forces who seek to attack us. Daniel testified, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths.” They are His ministering spirits.
We see the prayers.
The ladder with angels ascending and descending upon it is a picture of our prayers going up to God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. The only way our prayers make their way to the throne of grace is when we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, we obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Our prayers should be many and not few. Our prayers should be in faith and complete dependence upon God. Don’t overlook the ladder in your life. As it did with Jacob, may we be moved to obedience and faith in our Lord.
Have a worshipful God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Chronicles 28-31