Stairway To Heaven

As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway. [Genesis 28.12]

I don't know why this passage stood out to me today, but it did.

It's not like Jacob was praying here - he was just sleeping and had this dream. But why this dream? Why a stairway from earth to heaven? Why angels ascending and descending that stairway?

I think the Bible bears out that any time anyone encounters God, things can be a little strange (at least for human understanding). This story is no exception.

But is there something significant in Jacob's dream? Is there actually an unseen stairway to heaven? Are there actually angels ascending and descending a stairway to heaven all the time?

I think the answer to all the questions above is one and the same - Yes.

I believe we need to comprehend that earth and heaven are connected (call it a stairway if you will). I believe God's messengers are indeed traveling back and forth.

So, the question begs to be asked, "Why?"

The answer should come as no surprise: because God has not left the earth unattended as some might think. However, your ordinary human may or may not ever realize this fact - let alone "see" it as Jacob did.

The fact is, in Jacob's dream, there was some interesting conversation from God. Namely, "The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”

These promises from God all find fulfillment in Jesus.

Stairway to heaven - Jesus?

There are some good things to think about today!

Father, even though I don't totally understand all there is to know about this stairway to heaven that Jacob dreamed about, I embrace the fact that You used this dream to speak to Jacob about things to come - good things - promises. Thank You that Jesus ultimately brings fulfillment to Jacob's dream!