There are three questions that I want to ask you. First, how many of you would like to know the secret of being closer to God? I don’t just mean a little bit closer; I mean as close to God as anyone has ever been. When you think about biblical characters or spiritual heroes that you have read about or even heard speak, how would you like to be as close to God as them? Secondly, how many of you would like to know the secret of having a third heaven, throne room experience? You know, those amazing glimpses into the throne room that particularly prophetic people write about or speak about. Thirdly, how many of you would like to know the secret of enjoying life under an open heaven, experiencing signs and wonders and the glory of God as the environment you live in even for a moment. People often talk about having experiences where suddenly they found themselves under an open heaven. The term “portal” used to be used, but the idea is that the heavens open and the glory and the power of God is manifested. Think about these three questions. Do you want to be as close to God as anyone has ever been? Do you want to have a third heaven, throne room experience, and do you want to know what it is to be under an open heaven, even for a moment.
Well, I’ve got good news for you. The secret is out and it is openly publicized that Jesus has already taken care of all those three things for you, and he accomplished it 2000 years ago at the Cross. The moment you became a Christian you were automatically positioned to be as close to God as anyone has ever been; to not just have a throne room experience occasionally but to live continuously in the throne room environment, and to abide 24/7 under an open heaven. You don’t have to do anything to accomplish any of this, because Jesus accomplished and for you 2000 years ago. You were in Christ at the Cross and the old self was crucified and buried, and in the resurrection, you were raised up in Him and are now seated in the heavenly places in Christ. You are there right now! You can’t get closer to God than that, and oh, by the way, being seated in the heavenly places means that you continually live in the throne room. Finally, since you are seated in HEAVEN, then you live perpetually in an open heaven reality.
Paul said in Colossians 3, “Since then you have been raised up with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above not on the things of the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God, and when Christ who is your life is revealed, you will also be revealed with Him in glory.”
Notice that Paul does not tell us to try to press into a heavenly place where we can experience intimacy and glory. Instead, Paul says that we have been raised up with Christ and we are to seek those things which are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. What you are called to seek and discover is right there in front of you, because you are life is hidden with Christ in God. Being closer to God is not something we achieve. Jesus achieved for us. Having a third heaven experience is not something that we fight for. Jesus purchased it for us. Living under an open heaven is not something that we work for. We are already there, and all we have to do is seek and discover what’s already ours so that we can simply begin to believe and joyfully celebrate our intimacy, our throne room reality, and our open heaven environment.