Every night at bedtime, the doors of the houses
are shut and locked. This is not for the purpose of considering
the well-being of the poor burglar who might be outside but for
the security of the family members on the inside. The focus is
on the peace, safety, and happiness of those who have made the
preparations to be inside when the doors are shut and locked.
In the spiritual application, how many sermons
have been preached, using the illustrations of doors which are
shut, yet focusing on the lost, the weeping, and gnashing of teeth,
on the outside? There is a much better view when the focus is
on the blessed souls who are on the inside, when the spiritual
doors are eternally shut.
In Genesis 6, Noah was warned of the wickedness
of man (vs. 5) and of God's promise to destroy man from the face
of the earth (vs. 7). God tolerates sin for only a limited time,
as is also promised by the preaching of Paul in Acts 17:30-31.
Consider the examples of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim (Deuteronomy
29:23); Nineveh (Jonah, Nahum 3:7); and Jerusalem (Matthew 24:4-35).
The flood was coming, just as Jesus recounted (Matthew 24:36-39).
When the time had come, "they that went in, went in male
and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord
shut him in" (Genesis 7:16). Inside the ark, there were the
blessings of life by the Lord's plan of preservation and grace.
This example of the salvation of eight souls by water means so
much to the faithfully obedient souls in this Christian age, for
"the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save
us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer
of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ" (1 Peter 3:20-21). As the Lord adds the faithfully
obedient to the safety of His church (Acts 2:47), all spiritual
blessings are enjoyed inside the door.
In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus delivered the parable
of the preparation for a great marriage, with the examples of
five wise virgins who were prepared, who would be accepted into
the gathering when the bridegroom arrived. Five foolish virgins
were unprepared, yet desired to enter also. Verse 10 reveals that
while the five foolish virgins went away to buy oil "the
bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to
the marriage: and the door was shut." It was the responsibility
of each virgin to be prepared, and those who were unprepared at
his coming were not allowed to enter. Likewise, each soul must
remain prepared for the eternal door to shut, as the Lord has
promised to come again and receive the saved (i.e. Matthew
24:42-44). Inside the spiritual door, there is joy in the kingdom
of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:8-9).
Jesus spoke in Luke 13:24-25, "Strive to
enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek
to enter in, and shall not be able. 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." Many expect to be on the inside (i.e. Matthew
7:21-23). The message of the truth of the gospel must be accepted
now! Luke's account continues, "And they shall come from
the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the
south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God" (vs. 29).
The faithful from all parts shall enjoy the inside of the kingdom's
door.
Some day, the door will be shut for all mankind.
The question remains, "What or where is the door?" John
10:1-9 reveals that Jesus is the door of the sheep. Jesus offers
salvation, peace, and eternal life, but only to those who are
on the inside when the door is shut. -P. O. Box 176, Belington,
WV 26250.