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            In Genesis 28:10-18, we read where Jacob had a dream. In this dream, God spoke to him and renewed the promise first made to Abraham (Gen. 13:15-16). Not only was the promise renewed, but in his dream, he saw “a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it” (Gen. 28:12). Once he awoke from this dream, Jacob was afraid and arose and poured out oil as a sacrifice to God (v. 18).

             Nothing else is said about this dream in the Old Testament. Yet, when Jesus speaks in John 1, there is an allusion made to this ladder when He tells Nathanael, “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” (Jn. 1:51). Take note that the dream Jacob had where he saw a ladder reaching from earth to Heaven has been replaced with the reality that Christ is the One who reaches from earth to Heaven! To say that Christ is our connection to God is to state the obvious (Jn. 14:6). This comment in John 1 was Christ’s proof that He fulfilled Jacob’s prophetic dream in Genesis 28.

            What does this statement mean to us in the 21^st century? It means that if we wish to go to Heaven one day, we will go through Christ, or we will not go! Christ declares He is our access to the Father, just like a door (Jn. 10:9). Therefore, just as Christ serves as the door to get to God, just as He is “the way, the truth and the life” (Jn. 14:6), so also, He is the ladder we climb to get to Heaven!

             Up to this point, I believe many would agree with the conclusion. However, the question we must ask and answer is, “How do we do this?” How do we get to Christ so we can go to Heaven? We climb this spiritual ladder by obeying what the Lord has said! The Bible reveals that Christ, the “spiritual ladder,” is also “the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey him” (Heb. 5:9). Those who do His commandments will “have right to the tree of life” (Rev. 22:14). Going through Christ to see the Father means we are obedient to His word. A life of disobedience will not get us to Heaven!

             What does Christ demand of us in order to see Heaven? He expects us to believe that He is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24). Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6)! Further, we need to repent of our past sins (Lk. 13:3; Acts 17:30). We cannot stay in sin and expect to please God. We must turn from evil and do what is right! Confessing our faith is also necessary if we wish to be saved (Acts 8:37). In fact, “with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10). Finally, baptism is essential in order to be saved from our sins (Mk. 16:16; I Pet. 3:21).

            Have you climbed the ladder that will bring you to Heaven? If not, why not? What is stopping you from doing what the Lord says (Acts 8:36)? Do not waste any more time! Obey the Lord today while you can (II Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:7-8, 15)!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167