A pastor and a taxi driver, both from Puerto Rico, died and went to heaven.
St. Peter was at the Pearly gates waiting for them.
'Come with me', said St. Peter to the taxi driver.
The taxi driver did as he was told and followed St. Peter to a mansion.
It had everything you could imagine from a bowling alley to an olympic size pool.
'Wow, thank you', said the taxi driver.
Next, St. Peter led the pastor to a rugged old shack with a bunk bed and a little old television set.
'Wait, I think you are a little mixed up', said the pastor. 'Shouldn't I be the one who gets the mansion? After all I was a pastor, went to church every day, and preached God's word.'
'Yes, that's true. But during your sermons people slept. When the taxi driver drove, everyone prayed.'

"After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

This begins for us the 3rd section of the book of Revelation, as John told us in the "divine outline" of chapter 1:
-Rev 1:19 - "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this."

This is a picture and a foreshadowing of the Rapture, an event in which Christ will secretly return for His Bride and remove her from the earth before the Tribulation begins. The Rapture is taught explicitly in the New Testament: John 14:1-3; 1 Cor 15:50-58 ; 1 Thess 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9; Romans 5:9. It is also taught implicitly in the Old Testament in the Types of Eve, Enoch, Elijah and many others.

This chapter reveals to us the "Dimension of Heaven", which is the first of 3 phases in God's eternal plan for His redeemed children:
-The Dimension of Heaven - A different realm/dimension where believers go to at death.
-The Kingdom of Heaven - A period of 1,000 years in which Christ rules over the earth from Jerusalem.
-The Eternal Heavens - A state of perfection, where the New Heavens and New Earth will last for eternity.

1 - The THRONE - "Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven.."

The Throne of GOD is a picture of His power, authority, and control over the world. The Scriptures teach us clearly that the LORD is absolutely Sovereign in the affairs of mankind and in human history. He is the One who is in control! The word "throne" is used 14x in this chapter alone, and 46x in the entire book of Revelation1
Dan 2:19-21 -"Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding."
Jer 17:12 - "A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary."

2 - The ONE - "..and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald."

John sees God the Father seated upon the Throne, in this Heavenly Dimension:
Isaiah 6:1 - "In the year that aKing Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.”
Ezekiel 1:26-28 NLT - "Above this surface was something that looked like a throne ..on this throne high above was a figure whose appearance resembled a man. From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground.."

There is no possible way for human words to describe what GOD is like in His pure essence. John can only use comparisons. Jasper is a clear gem (see Rev. 21:11) and the sardine stone is red. The Lord is robed in light, according to Psalm 104:2 and 1 Timothy 6:16. Both the jasper and the sardius (sardine) were found in the breastplate of the High Priest in the Old Testament (Exo 28:17–21).

It's important for Christians to know the 3 Persons of the TRINITY - One GOD, but existing in 3 separate and distinct Divine Persons: Father, Son, and Spirit.
The Apostle's Creed - "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead."

3 - The SAINTS - "Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices."

Here we see the Saints of God, the Redeemed of all the Ages, standing before the Throne of God.
-24 courses of priests in OT - 1 Chron. 24:3–5, 18; Luke 1:5–9
-Old Testament: 12 tribes
-New Testament: 12 apostles
-“Kings and priests” are titles for God's people in Rev. 1:6

The Church is never mentioned again on the earth in the entire book...until she returns with Christ in the Second Coming in Rev 19. The Pre-Tribualtional Rapture is a clearly taught doctrine in Revelation!

4 - The SPIRIT - "Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God."

Here we see God the Holy Spirit portrayed symbolically to John as 7 burning lamps around the Throne of God in the Dimension of Heaven, speaking of the completeness of His presence.
-Isaiah 11:2 - "The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."
-As a Scuba Diver need air to survive in the hostile environment of the ocean, so a Christian needs to be constantly connected to the Holy Spirit of God, to live a victorious and powerful life for Christ! (Zech 4:6; Acts 1:8; Gal 5:13)

5 - The ANGELS - "Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”

These are the "Living Creatures", special angels that John saw in the Dimension of Heaven. Isaiah saw a very similar scene
-Isaiah 6:3 - "Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!”

Angels are glorious, ancient, and powerful creatures, created by the Lord to be servants, messengers, and soldiers, protecting those who will become saints. The Greek word "ἄγγελος" or "aggelos" simply means "a messenger". There are different categories of angels, such as "cherubim", "seraphim", and "living creatures". All good angels are subject to Christ, and bow to Him in worship:
-Heb 1:6-8 - "..when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.” But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.."

Different Angels appear to have different realms of responsibility, tasks, and even rank:
-Gabriel seems to be a Messenger angel, always carrying news of the Messiah. (Luke 1; Dan 10)
-Michael seems to be a General, the Protector of the nation of Israel. (Dan 10)
-Lucifer seemed to be a Worship Leader, before he rebelled and became satan. (Isa 14; Eze 28)
-Daniel 10 mentions a spirit named the "prince of Persia" and another named the "prince of Greece", possibly indication different jurisdictions or areas of operations that angels have.
-Ephesians 6:12 seems to indicate a structure of rank and power - "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
-Some Angels are Guardians over people until they come to the point of salvation
Matt 18:10 - “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven."
Heb 1:14 - "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?"

Good Angels outnumber the evil ones 2 to 1 according to the Scriptures.
Rev 12:3-4 - "..And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth." (2 Kin 6:16)

6 - The WORSHIP - "Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever.. saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

This is the primary action in the Dimension of Heaven - WORSHIP! It is the principal occupation that the saints and angels are engaged in before the Throne of Almighty God. The Greek word for worship is "προσκυνέω" or "proskyneō" meaning to bow down and prostrate oneself before a king or ruler. It is very similar to the Hebrew word for worship, which appears for the first time in Gen 18:2, "שָׁחָה" or "shachah" also meaning to bow oneself to the ground in prostration and adoration. We see that, bibilically, an essential element to worship is that of "bowing down" in our hearts, recognizing the greatness of GOD, and submitting ourselves to His power and plans! (Matt 26:39)

WORSHIP is the very reason for human beings were created by the Lord:
Col 1:16 - "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him."

John 4:21-24 - "Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

"Worship is a voluntary act of gratitude offered by the saved to the Savior, by the healed to the Healer, and by the delivered to the Deliverer." - Max Lucado

7 - The CROWNS - "..and cast their crowns before the throne.."

Finally, John sees the Saints casting their Crowns before the Lord as offerings of worship. These are the rewards and compensations that they have received from the Lord for all of their faithful service and diligent labor for the Kingdom of God, while upon the earth.

Many Christians feels strange about the "Doctrine of Rewards" found in the pages of the Bible! However, when properly understood, REWARDS can be a very powerful motivator for a life of diligent service:
-"One morning I opened the door to get the newspaper and was surprised to see a strange little dog with our paper in his mouth. Delighted with this unexpected "delivery service," I fed him some treats. The following morning I was horrified to see the same dog sitting in front of our door, wagging his tail, surrounded by eight newspapers. I spent the rest of that morning returning the papers to their owners." - Marion Gilbert

-"If we would consider the greatness and the glory of the life we shall have when we have risen from the dead, it would not be difficult at all, for us to bear the concerns of this world." - Martin Luther

-"...If we consider...the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures...like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a vacation at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." - CS Lewis

-"It is a sad sight to see how most people spend their time and their energy for trifles, while God is cast aside. He who is all seems to them as nothing, and that which is nothing seems to them as good as all. It is sad indeed, knowing that God has set mankind in such a race where heaven or hell is their certain end, that they should sit down and loiter, or run after the childish toys of the world, forgetting the prize they should run for." - Richard Baxter

Many Christians are unaware of HOW MANY times God has promised REWARDS to HIs faithful servants:
Rev 22:12 - “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to His work."
Heb 6:10 - "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister."
Rev 11:18 - "The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints.."
Isa 62:11 - "Indeed the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the world: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him.."
1 Cor 3:11-15 - "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." (Read Mt 25:14-30 ; Luke 19:11-27)
"The Scriptures teach that the blessedness of believers in a future life will be greater or less in proportion to the service of Christ in this life. Those who love little, do little; and those who do little, will enjoy less." - Charles Hodge.