at JANUARY 29, 2013b y MARK KOLCHIN

And [Jacob] dreamed, and behold 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

And He saith unto him, 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. John 1:51
Jacob’s arrival at Bethel told it’s own story: the journey was long, the sun had set, and he was all alone. Taking a stone for a pillow, Jacob felt the cold, hard realities of his self-chosen pathway. But in the midst of this personal crisis came a message from the Lord by means of a ladder that bridged heaven and earth. Centuries later, the Lord Jesus would reveal to Nathanael that hereafter He would be that ladder which carried God’s message of a lasting relationship through faith in His Son. To those who find themselves in the same desperate condition, God often breaks through in timely fashion to reach hearts that have been prepared by their own Bethel experience. Man’s need, God’s provision – praise His Name.

” O safe and happy shelter! O refuge tried and sweet! O trysting-place where heaven’s love,
And heaven’s justice meet! As to the pilgrim patriarch, That wondrous dream was giv’n,
So seems my Saviour’s cross to me, A ladder up to heav’n.” — E. Clephane