Dear friends:

It is commonly thought that Jesus' words to the church at Philadelphia refer to the rapture: "I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.... I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth" (Revelation 3: 8.10, NIV)  It is the only church of the seven that has this promise of protection -- through an "open door."

It is confirming that just a few verses later, chapter 4, verse 1 is thought by scholars to also refer to the rapture.  It also refers to an open door. "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...'"  After God said, "Come up here," the church is no longer mentioned in Revelation.

I must be thick.  Sometimes it takes awhile for things to sink in.  I don't know why I did not make this connection before, but just this morning I remembered Kenneth Copeland's prophetic statement about this new year 2007. 

Copeland said, "We joyfully welcome 2007, which will be known as The Year of the Open Door."

Let us hope it is the same open door mentioned in Revelation 3 and 4.  It will be joyful indeed! 

Jim