One of the first commands that Jesus gave to His newly formed Church was to wait for power from on high (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4). One of the last biblical commands that Jesus gave His Church was to step through an already opened door (Revelation 4:1). The command to step through the open door was actually given to John, but it was given directly after John had received very specific instructions for the seven churches (Revelation 2–3). John went through the door as a priestly and prophetic model for these churches.
From Waiting to Stepping
The change in mentality from waiting to stepping was strategic for the seven churches of Revelation. It is also strategic for the modern Church. It’s not that we are to move away from the biblical foundation of waiting on the Lord; rather, the change in mentality is about operating in our God-ordained, priestly authority. Instead of waiting for power, there are places in the spirit waiting for us. Instead of power coming from Heaven, we are stepping into heavenly realms.
Something as simple as stepping through a door can make a phenomenal difference. Sometimes the difference can be as dramatic as going from cold to hot, chaos to order, filthy to clean, or hellish to heavenly. Not only does each room have its own atmosphere, but each room has a specific function and purpose. When John went through the door standing open in Heaven, he found himself in the throne room. The throne room is a room that resonates with profound governmental authority. As the vision progressed, John also found himself in other places. (Photo via Unsplash)
What did John do in each of these places? Often, he was there simply to observe, but other times he participated in the action or was specifically asked to do something. For example, John was asked to take an open scroll from the hands of an angel and eat the scroll (Revelation 10:8–10). Immediately after eating the scroll, he was commanded: “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings” (Revelation 10:11). The action (taking and eating the scroll) led to a commissioning: You must operate in the priestly prophetic authority God has given you.
Your Priestly Prophetic Authority
Why is God calling today’s Church to step through an already opened door? The reasons are the same as we read in Revelation: to observe, to participate, to obey, to receive commissioning, and to operate in priestly prophetic authority. John didn’t go through the open door just as a man, He went through it as a priest with priestly authority. The same is true of all God’s people, because Jesus “has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father” (Revelation 1:6). It’s undeniable; God calls us to operate in priestly authority. Satan’s strategy, however, is to intimidate us through accusation, contention, and strife (Revelation 12:10).
The book of Revelation presents a dramatic contrast between God’s people and satan. God’s people are described as priests with priestly authority, and their authority is increasing (Revelation 5:10; 12:11). Satan is described as an accuser who spews forth accusation, but his authority is decreasing (Revelation 12:7–10). As God’s priests we have authority to bless (Numbers 6:22–27). As an accuser, satan’s only authority is to accuse. Priests serve the Father. Satan rages against God and His people. Through the authority of Jesus’ voice, God’s priests are catapulted from Earth to Heaven (Revelation 4:1). Through the authority of Michael and his warrior angels, satan is cast from Heaven to Earth. Priests are given a voice and a function before God’s throne. Satan is denied a voice and a function before God’s throne.
Jesus’ Voice and the Door to the Throne
The sound of Jesus’ voice is far more powerful than any other sound. Jesus’ voice was the agent that took John from seeing the door standing open in Heaven to actually standing before God’s throne. (Photo via Pixabay)
John says two things about the voice of Jesus: firstly, that it was like the sound of many waters (Revelation 1:15), and secondly, that it was like the sound of a trumpet (Revelation 4:1). In other words, it had both a profound depth and an intense penetrating power. We must discern and respond to His voice and not be intimidated by the sound of accusation, contention, and strife. We are called as priests to step through the open door and help administrate God’s purposes over the nations.
A Simple Faith Step
It’s time to shift our mentality from waiting to stepping. Stepping through doors in the natural isn’t complicated. It’s the same in the spirit realm. One step takes you from one room (or place) to another. It’s a simple faith step made in obedience to God.
It’s a myth that you have to have a dramatic experience like John to position yourself before God’s throne. Stepping through the open door doesn’t mean that you will have the same experience that John had, but it does mean that you are positioning yourself to do God’s work.
Nathan Shaw
Heart of David Ministries
Email: fireanddestiny@slingshot.co.nz
Website: www.heartofdavidministries.org
Nathan Shaw helps bring individuals and churches into dynamic encounters with God’s indescribable love. Over the last twenty years he has been instrumental in ushering in significant moves of the Spirit in over ten different nations. Many have experienced life-changing prophetic encounters and dramatic visitations from God. Nathan is the author of two books: Passion and Fire and Unto the Least of These. Nathan is senior pastor at Fire and Destiny Centre, Dunedin and Celebration Church, Mosgiel.