I See An Open Door

Jesus is the door for the sheep.

After nearly two years of being told we’re restricted with lock down and a lot of businesses and even churches closing their doors I think we are all ready to receive a message about open doors.

There are so many scriptures that talk about doors like:

There is a door at the wedding feats in Matthew 25:10

In Exodus 12 we see Israel putting blood on the door post to be protected from the death Angel.

In Acts 5 the angel opens the door of the prison with a sudden violent earthquake.

Acts 14 tells us there is an open door of faith for the gentiles.

In Colossians 4:3 we are told to pray for an open door for the word to be preached.

Hosea talks about a door of hope in Chapter 2:15

We serve a God of open doors. Isaiah twice talks about open doors no one can shut. When God opens a door, no devil can shut it and when he closes a door no devil or man can open it.

Revelation 4 tells us about the throne in heaven.

Revelation 4: v 1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.

v2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.

Before we dive into this scripture let's take a look back first at the last couple of years. I don't know about you but for me they have been filled with sorrow and loss. I lost both parents, three horses, some friends, not to mention a few freedoms. We all know what I mean.

I am sure you have experienced your fair share of loss and have also endured some difficult things. But let's not stay in this place of looking back too long because it can be depressing. Let's choose to look forward to what the Lord's going to do in our future.

I believe this is a pivotal time in history. The Lord has sent this message to you today to remind you that as a child of God your future is bright.

In Revelation 4:1-2 John is in the spirit on the Lord's Day. He said he saw an "OPEN DOOR". Notice the door is past tense open. It doesn't say the door is about to open or it will be open. It is already standing ajar.

Maybe you've gone through many trials, losses and pain. Does it seem like there is trouble around every corner? Has it caused your perspective to not be quite as bright and positive as it used to be?

I know my husband even noticed a dull in my sparkle. At times I could not see a door. It just seemed like the world was spinning out of control, like we were on a plane about ready to crash. How about you?

I noticed something very significant in this scripture. There is a voice that says to John "COME UP!" Even though the last few years have stretched me until I thought I would break. It has also brought me to a higher level of trust and faith. God is saying '"IT'S TIME TO MOVE UP! "

Have you ever noticed that sometimes we listen to the wrong voice, the wrong crowds, the wrong news? When we lean on the wrong sources it can make you want to go out and jump off a bridge. But if your source is the word of God you want to go out and preach the gospel, raise the dead, heal the sick and cleanse some lepers.

Be careful who you listen to. One is death the other brings life. You know the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. He is always trying to pull you down. BUT GOD wants to PULL YOU UP!

In Neimiah 6:2-3 Sanbal and Geshem tell Neimiah "COME DOWN with us to the plain of ONO". Really "OH NO"? Have you been in the plain of OH NO saying what's going to happen next? Do you know what Nehemiah told them? "I'm carrying on a great project and I CANNOT COME DOWN!"

In Matthew 40:42 Jesus is on the cross, they tell Him, "If you're the Son of God COME DOWN and save yourself." But he doesn't COME DOWN. because He is on a very important mission for God. Like Nehemiah and Jesus, we need to stop listening to people who try to PULL US DOWN from our hopes. We need to tell them, "I CANNOT COME DOWN! Because I'm doing the Lord's work."

Everything God wants to do for you is UP. He wants to do something bigger, brighter, stronger, more lasting than anything you've ever seen in your life. But there will be some who will come to threaten your hope and work of your ministry building His kingdom.

How often in the last year have you watch the news and said, "OH NO, I can't believe this is happening.?" Maybe it even caused you fear, anxiety and panic. Friends, we may still be facing some uncertain times in 2022. There may be some big storms coming, BUT we will raise our altitude above the storms. Let's fasten our seat belts because we are GOING UP. We are climbing above the storms to a safe smooth spot.

Yes, in life we will hit some turbulence, some rough spots. BUT JESUS is saying "strap yourself to me, while I take you UP HIGHER!" Do you want to go HIGHER IN 2022?

In Revelation 4 John saw an open door. He also heard a voice saying, "COME UP." This is an invitation not a command. Do you want to be made whole? Jesus is saying, "Come Up to me!" Jesus told the crippled man get up and walk. He's saying to us today rise up children, "COME UP "

Jesus asked the blind man do you want to see again? Then he told Him go wash in the pool of Silone. When God works in your life it may take a little participation on your part. He is calling "COME UP" Can you hear him?

There is another phrase that stood out for me in this scripture, "AFTER THIS". It reminds me that it's NOT over till God says it's over. The last 2 years may have brought some hard trials BUT let me encourage you it's still NOT OVER till God says it is. You may be ready to wave the white flag or throw in the towel. BUT please HOLD ON until 'AFTER THIS'.

I'm expecting my "AFTER THIS" in 2022. Don't give in by saying "this is it." Get out of the plain of OH NO! The enemy wants you to give in. He wants to PULL YOU DOWN! He wants to whisper in your ear, "this it is, OH NO, it's over!"

Please be careful about saying "this is it... OH NO, it's over!" Because this isn't it. It's not over for you. Wait for your "AFTER THIS!" You may have thought this was it, that it is the end. BUT this too shall pass. God has more for us.

1 Corinthians 2:7 says, "Eye has not seen =nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him."

Ephesians 3;20 "Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power that works IN US - to Him be glory."

Gods got more for us than this. We are leaving the last 2 years behind. We are shutting the doors and marching forward into 2022. Remember he said to John "COME UP" and even though John was quite connected to Jesus he still had another level for him. Jesus said, 'COME ON UP'.

Understand there is another level for you. If you get tunnel vision you might miss your "AFTER THIS". It may not be about a new thing, but about a new perspective or what God has already shown you. He wants us to walk through the open door into His throne room.

We have a great opportunity right now to share the gospel, to be a blessing to those in need, and be a light in this dark world without hope. Now is the time to seize the opportunity.

In Revelation 4 John heard a voice that sounded like a trumpet. When they blew the trumpets at Jericho the walls came down. God has a voice of victory and anything standing before you can be torn down at his voice.

When he speaks nothing remains the same.

When John went through the open door he saw a throne, but the throne wasn't empty. The one and only Jesus is not only the door he sits on the throne. He will be on the throne all the way to the end and beyond.

Why should we fear or panic about what has happened in the last two years or what might happen this year or next? Because we know our King is still on the throne and always will be, no matter what happens. So why don't we just dethrone ourselves in 2022 and let Jesus sit in his rightful place in our lives?

John saw and open door of opportunity. He heard a trumpet of victory. He saw a throne of authority. And then remember he saw a rainbow of promise. Aren't you glad God can take opportunity, victory, and authority and wrap it all up in his promise?

Let's say to 2020 and 2021, "We're otta here!" Let's wave goodbye to the things that have happened and thank God He's got more for us "AFTER THIS" No more looking back. Shut off all the destructive voice including your own. Put off all discouragement and anxiety. COME UP through the OPEN DOOR into your rightful position next to Jesus in the throne room.

There's more for you both here on earth and in heaven. The Bible says the path of the just is like a shining light. This means the path of every child of God is full of OPEN DOORS. As a born-again believer, now a child of God your future is bright. Contend for it by faith. We're told in scripture to fight the good fight of faith.

There is one more scripture about a door we can't forget. Revelation 3:20 tells us Jesus stands at the door and knocks and he who opens the door, Jesus will come in and sup with him. Isn't that a beautiful picture of relationship? Can you imagine just sitting down to supper with Jesus?

Going through the door isn't automatic. But the door to heaven is standing open. Jesus is the one door through whom eternal life is granted. Entrance into the Kingdom of God and His family is by invitation. It only requires belief in Jesus the one who is the door, who died on the cross for our sins, rose again and sits on the throne forevermore.

The open door symbolized free access to God and heaven for those who have trusted in Christ's blood to cleanse them from all their sin. And not only that as his beloved kids we are invited to approach the throne of grace with boldness right now while we are still on earth. (Heb 4:15)

John crossed the threshold by God's grace through faith and entered the riches of the Creators throne room. When we trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and believe He rose again we too have an invite into His throne room because we are now royalty.

I see an OPEN Door. Will you Come on Up to the throne room? Can you hear his voice calling us Higher in 2022? Now get ready for your "AFTER THIS!"