# 261 Jesus Is the Only Escalator

The Book of Genesis

Day 261

Ge 28:16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it."

What a strange statement from Jacob!  He wakes up from his dream about a heavenly escalator and acts surprised that God was present in this place. What part about omnipresence did he not understand? What part about omnipresence do we not understand? Many times our relationship with God is “out of sight….out of mind.” But God indeed is everywhere and we would do well to measure our actions and exercise our faith with that truth in mind.

Jacob’s reaction here leads me to think that he was more influenced by the pagan culture around him than we like to think. All the pagan’s gods were localized gods. They all had specialties. They all had their own territories. Perhaps this is where Jacob’s amazement comes from. The God of his fathers was not just restricted to Beersheba, He could be found everywhere!

Jacob’s enthusiasm for this place is certainly understandable, and he goes on to mark the spot, but it’s not about the “spot” it’s about the prophetic picture painted for him by God that makes it clear that out of Jacob’s bloodline will come the Messiah who would make it possible for mankind to connect to heaven.

Sometimes I think we fall into the same line of thinking in the various denominations of the Christian faith. We start out with the fundamental truth that Jesus is the only way to heaven, but we kind of morph into an attitude that our particular brand of Christianity is the only one that has it right!  “ God is in our church! We are the Bethel! We are the only way to hop on the escalator!” “We are the sole possessors of truth! Our way of worship is the only way!” And so on.

If that’s your attitude, you are going to be in for a big surprise when you get to heaven! Guess what Lutherans? There will be Baptists in heaven!  Guess what Baptists? There will be Lutherans! Guess what Everyone? There will be  Catholics, Pentecostals, Methodists, Evangelicals, Presbyterians, and any others who believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!

In our earthly mindset, we will all be surprised by whom we bump into in heaven, and we’ll also  be surprised by who isn’t there. God knows the heart, and it is the heart of faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation that punches your ticket to hop on the escalator!

The point is, salvation is not restricted to a place or a style of worship. Salvation is for all who are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said in  Joh 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” And in  Mr 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Learn what that means, and by God’s grace, I’ll see you in heaven!