Revelation 3:7 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;
God opens the door
Revelation 3:8 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.
Saved bible believing Christians and churches should keep preaching teaching; we can still proclaim the gospel and how to get saved. Nobody can shut the door that Jesus Christ will open.
Even if you have a small strain and not a full church… Is God tied by a building or a hall full of people, or what you think is success? God forbid, even with that little strain will do his work.
God closes the door
In Revelation 3:8, God opens the doors but he will also close them. Why would you be discouraged to find a closed door? Isn’t god in control?
If you are discouraged that there is nothing during this period of time, that you can’t do anything for the lord, do not let guilt affect you. God might have a different plan for you and build you up for a better opportunity, something mighty may happen.
We close the door
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
It’s not dangerous when God closes the door but it is dangerous when we close a door that God opens. Here, the church of Laodicea is behaving totally different from the Philadelphia church in verse 7.
Laodicea is shutting the door to God, why are we shutting the door to God down? It’s because of our lukewarmness.
Revelation 3:16-17 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Verse 17 is about consumer culture, as long we keep the comforts the Laodicean church keep serving the God, but when the comforts are taken away are you still turning to God? Or are you closing the door to God?
Are we blaming the current Pandemic to not serve God? Do you have the zeal to serve God?
When God closed the door, it is for your good. When we close the door, it is because of our weakness and flesh.
Persecuted Christians are still finding ways to preach the gospel, but the Laodicean church does something only when they get something. The Laodicean church is dependent on getting that something from someone, and they think they won’t be able to do anything when that something is removed.
What should you do to replenish your Zeal?
Keep watching the sermons, listen to radio stations with different preaches, and hear other preachers. Refer to our resource page and youtube channel.
God loves time alone with you, but also people worshipping together. Yes, the isolation cuts us down, but there are many ways to get together on online meetings. You are not savvy? Do not be lazy, take advantage of online platforms to get together. Call each other, contact some brother and sister, watch a sermon online together as a church.
We close the door because of laziness. Make it a habit to read the bible and watch sermons.
When you close the door, depression will kick in. Because of the isolation, it’s hard to live like that, because your flesh is used to be in the mundane world. Now that you are idle, the devil will start to put words into your mind, but you need to cast down this wicked imagination. You need to remind yourself of the promises of God, sing hymns, pray and seek God, and get out of the depressed state.
When is the last time that you spent your alone time with the lord?
Another reason why we close the door is sin. You have internet, cable tv, with so much invitation of sin when you are alone, and there is no accountability. What is your plan to avoid temptation and sin?
When you have our Lord Jesus Christ in your life, you have a bulletproof plan. Start to dedicate your time to the lord. Start with 10 minutes in the morning to pray, read the bible, then increase it gradually, and you will end up spending hours with the lord! Do not let sin open its door, and let dominate your flesh. If your flesh takes over, call a brother or sister to help you, to keep you accountable.
We Open the Door
God will not go against free will, if we open the door, we will receive the greatest power in our lives.
Keep opening the door of your heart whether God opens or closes the door.
Luke 11:8-9 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
You need to keep knocking on the door in heaven, but you need to constantly asking and begging, inviting the lord.
In Luke 11, the neighbor is not opening the door, but because he is a friend, he opened and gave him the bread needed.
Is Jesus your friend? Ask, and he will shower you with blessings.