The Door
by M.L. Conner

I. Jesus Christ - The Door

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. - John 10:9

In exploring what Jesus meant when he stated that he was the door, we need to look back to creation. God created man in His image for the purpose of having worship offered out of free will. When Adam and Eve sinned, it severed their relationship with God, and they hid in fear. Instead of condemning mankind, He sacrificed a sheep to cover their nakedness. This was the first symbolic gesture of a sacrificial offering for sin.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:5,6

God soon promised a coming savior that would be the permanent sacrifice for sin. Sin had become a barrier - a wall - between God and man, one that man could not climb over or get around. Christ voluntarily left heaven and came down to earth some 2,000 years ago to suffer like no man has ever suffered in order to make a final atonement for sin. But it was much more than physical suffering.

While hanging on the cross, Jesus took on the sin of the whole world. God then poured out all His wrath and judgment upon a sinless sacrifice. Jesus endured this so that he could say, "It is finished"; our sin debt had been paid. He became that door in the wall of sin, and by accepting Christ's sacrifice, our sins are forgiven and we can have access to God.

II. Jesus Christ - Knocking on the Door

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. - Revelation 3:20

This invitation to the apostate church in the last days can be applied to an individual as well. Christ, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, offers everyone salvation and eternal life. It is important to accept this offer today, for it is forever too late once you pass from this life.

A. Who needs to be saved - Everyone.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: - Romans 3:10
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; - Romans 3:23

God's standard is perfection, and no one has ever met that standard. Even one sin is enough to keep you from heaven because God's nature cannot allow sin to enter His presence.

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. - Isaiah 59:2

B. The penalty for sin - Death.

For the wages of sin is death; - Romans 6:23a
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: - Romans 5:12

We're all familiar with physical death, but many people never consider spiritual death. God made man in His own image for mutual fellowship. Our souls are eternal, and true joy comes from a right relationship with God. Everyone is connected to God, whether they believe or not. Spiritual death is losing this connection forever.

But the children of the kingdom [the lost] shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. - Matthew 8:12
So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. - Matthew 13:49,50
...it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched, - Mark 9:43,44
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, - Luke 16:23a

The lost are doomed to eternal separation from God in a place meant for the devil, not man. But those who die in their sins cannot be in God's presence, and hell will be the only alternative. It's hard to imagine being in total darkness, constant fiery torment, and utter loneliness throughout eternity. But this will, sadly, be a reality for many.

C. The remedy for sin - Jesus Christ.

...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Romans 6:23b
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. - Acts 2:21
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

Jesus Christ alone is the answer to mankind's fatal condition. Not works, or being a good person, or observing earthly rituals. Simply call on Jesus and accept His shed blood on the cross and your sin burden will be lifted. You will be reconciled to God. What wonderful news!

III. Jesus Christ - Opening a Door

After this I looked, and, behold a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. - Revelation 4:1

Here, Revelation switches from present to future events. The church age ends with the Rapture, when Christ calls up believers out of this world. This is illustrated with the command given to John to "come up hither." Compare this with Paul's description:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. - I Thessalonians 4:16, 17

This door in the heavens will open one day soon. The time to prepare for this event is now, because if you're still here after millions have vanished, it will be too late to escape the wrath that God will unleash upon the earth. Our current problems are nothing compared to the all-out war, famine, environmental disasters, and demonic plagues that will occur at that time.

Time is running out; the prophetic signs for the end times are quickly developing right now for those who know what to look for. I don't want anyone to miss out on salvation, which is so simple that most people overlook it. The Holy Spirit using the Word of God convicts your heart - the heaviness you may feel inside when you hear that Jesus died for your sin is conviction. Simply answer that prodding by praying and confessing to God that you're a sinner, that there's nothing you can do on your own, and that you accept the payment Jesus made for your sins. Ask Christ to come into your heart and into your life. Salvation and eternal joy can be yours if you will only chose to accept it.

Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner.
I confess my sins to you now.
I accept the payment of your shed blood on the cross.
Please forgive me and come into my heart today.
Amen.