An Open Door
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Revelation 3:7-8
Today as I type this post, the temperature is negative 8. That is right -8. Frigid! Opening the doors for people as they came in today, I opened and shut the door very fast in an attempt to keep some cold air out and some warm air in!
I don’t think I was too successful.
The Lord Jesus is speaking of an open door He gave to the church in the Greek city of Philadelphia in the verses above. Chapters 2-3 of Revelation are describing the “church age” in which we live. Each of the 7 churches listed were real places with real people and are also “types” of churches that are found in the church age. In other words, every Biblical church today is in some way like one of these 7 churches.
As Jesus gives His message to the church of brotherly love, he tells them that He is giving them an open door. Jesus is holding a door open for them to freely move in and out of and to freely bring other people through as well. With the Philadelphia church being very weak, they are not able to hold the door open. It is only a door that Jesus can open. They do not have political clout or economic power, but they have a responsibility to go through the door and take others with them.
Many Bible students believe this is an open door through which to deliver the Gospel to this lost and dying world. God is giving His church the opportunity to freely distribute the Word of God and Gospel message. While the church is diminished in society today and even with the political climate growing in angst against anything Christian, it is the Lord Who is holding open the door for Gospel witness.
Have you noticed how spiritually cold our society has become? Even this week, the Governor of Virginia is talking about delivering a newborn and then killing it as “OK” in his book. This following the Governor of New York pushing his love of abortion right up until birth. We live in a cold, cold climate, not just in atmospheric temperature, but in spiritual temperature. We cannot hold the door open for people, but thank the Lord, Jesus is holding it open for us! In addition, as fast as many non-Christians would be to close the door, slamming it shut, it is something that they cannot do. Only God can open or close it. That is good news. We have as much time to witness as God will give to us, but we don’t know how much time that is. Historically in the Bible, the Lord opens and closes doors based on the people’s response to Him.
Today, take a moment and pray for a friend that you can bring to church this Sunday.
Would you invite them to sit with you at church this Sunday?
The door may not be open much longer.
Go through the door with another person while you can.
EDC Christian 