A Staircase to Heaven
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can see heaven opened and live the angelic life by running up to heaven in intercession.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the connection between heaven and earth through Jesus, who serves as the mediator and the staircase to heaven. He explains that believers can see heaven opened and access it through prayer, as Jesus has revealed the kingdom to them. The imagery of Jacob's ladder illustrates the continuous exchange of prayer and divine blessings, encouraging believers to engage in intercession and share God's gifts with others. Spurgeon calls for a life of communion with God, where believers ascend in prayer and descend to serve humanity. He assures that this divine promise is fulfilled daily as they live out their faith.
Text
And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. (John 1:51)
Yes, to our faith this sight is plain even at this day. We do see heaven opened. Jesus Himself has opened that kingdom to all believers. We gaze into the place of mystery and glory, for He has revealed it to us. We shall enter it soon, for He is the way.
Now we see the explanation of Jacob's ladder. Between earth and heaven there is a holy commerce; prayer ascends, and answers come down by the way of Jesus, the Mediator. We see this ladder when we see our Lord. In Him a stairway of light now furnishes a clear passage to the throne of the Most High. Let us use it and send up by it the messengers of our prayers. We shall live the angelic life ourselves if we run up to heaven in intercession, lay hold upon the blessings of the covenant, and then descend again to scatter those gifts among the sons of men.
This choice sight which Jacob only saw in a dream will turn into a bright reality. This very day we will be up and down the ladder each hour: climbing in communion and coming down in labor to save our fellowmen. This is Thy promise, O Lord Jesus; let us joyfully see it fulfilled.
Sermon Outline
- I. Heaven Opened
- A. Jesus has revealed the kingdom of heaven to believers
- B. We can see heaven opened through faith
- II. The Ladder of Communion
- A. Prayer ascends to God through Jesus, the Mediator
- B. Answers come down from God through Jesus
- III. The Angelic Life
- A. We can live the angelic life by running up to heaven in intercession
- B. We can scatter the blessings of the covenant among others
Key Quotes
“We do see heaven opened. Jesus Himself has opened that kingdom to all believers.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“In Him a stairway of light now furnishes a clear passage to the throne of the Most High.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“This choice sight which Jacob only saw in a dream will turn into a bright reality.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We can live the angelic life by running up to heaven in intercession and scattering the blessings of the covenant among others.
- Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can see heaven opened and experience the blessings of the covenant.
- Intercession is a powerful way to ascend to heaven in prayer and bring back blessings from God to scatter among others.