Kay (29 March 2006)
"The Open Door"


 
These are the only 4 verses where open (Strongs # 455) and door (Strong's #2374) are used together.
 
 
 
the door of utterance--(logos)
  Col 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
 
To the Church at Philadelphia--
  Rev 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.
 
To the Church at Laodicea--
  Rev 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.
 
I never knew you--
Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is RISEN UP, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
 
This last verse speaks volumes!  We know Christ has already RISEN, and after His ascension He sent the Holy Spirit that enabled (opened the door for) the apostles to preach the Gospel, so this obviously applies to another time that He rises (as in the clouds at the rapture) and SHUTS THE DOOR of the Gospel, thus ending the age of Grace, or Church Age.  To me, this couldn't be more clear that the rapture occurs BEFORE the Tribulation (great harvest), because at the Second Coming He reigns on earth as King of King and Lord of Lords for 1000 years!
 
Prior to this Luke 13:23 tells us one of the disciples asked Him, "are there few that be saved?  And He said to them, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able." 
 
After this one can only "enter" the gates of salvation by proving his faith through martyrdom. Salvation is no longer a free gift through Christ's sacrifice.
 
  Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
 
  Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
 
Kay