But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God .Acts 7:55
When God gave Jesus the name above all other names, He gave him a seat just to the right side of the throne of God. This symbolizes the position of authority of Christ. However the events leading to Stephen’s death as the first Christian Martyr, When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal 2 Kings 2:1 This was an example in the Old Testament where God opened heaven to receive the heroes and Stephen’s account was another example when God opened the heaven again in the New Testament. Stephen testifies as seeing heaven open. Presumably it was God Ushering Him in a glorious picture. God opened the heavens and Christ who was previously seated stood to welcome the brave over comer. Stephen was one that has reputation and great courage in defending his faith before the stiff necked religious leaders of his days. This is part of the price he had to pay. When I compare the painful opposition and challenges he had to overcome and the reasons why we give up so easily, I subscribe to reason why the heavens had to open for him. Christ has people that stand firm even when things get so dim. There is a price to pay for greatness. You have your own opposition and it mostly comes from within or from your closest friends or from people from authority. Stephen had to contend with the Sanhedrin, a full council meeting to defend his faith. Most Christians cannot even face one sinner, friend or even a spouse to stand for their faith. Stephen steadfast testimony and willingness to suffer for his faith resulted to the conversion of a fierce persecutor of Christians Saul, later known as Apostle Paul, the one who consented to his death. Paul later endured for Christ sake 2 Timothy 2:9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.. For whose sake are you enduring? Your endurance and patient defense for your faith regardless of how dark things become will not only open heaven for you but will lead to change,, conversion and transformation of your enemies. When heaven opened for Stephen he was ushered in , the grace of God was released for Saul and his diligent zeal to fight and destroy the powers of darkness against the Church he was persecuting making him an obvious hero in the New Testament. John to who revelation was given had unrevenged perseverance on the Island of Patmos that made God to open the heavens on him and was never the same again. You have the solution for your enemies today. That husband challenging your faith today has a remedy in your hands. Standing firm and not fearing the consequences will appropriate the unfailing transformation in his life!. Those who have overcome and have come out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes and have made them white in the blood of the lamb and shall be taken before the throne of God. He shall spread His Tent over them. The greatest joy in overcoming is knowing that you will never go through what you have come over when the heavens when the heavens finally opens By Wahome Gladys
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