April 28: AN OPEN DOOR
“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Revelation 3:8
In addressing the small remnant of faithful followers in Philadelphia, Jesus points out that they have a little strength. He commends them for applying their very limited energies to living for Him. They look to Him as the unlimited Source to meet all their needs, their faithful witness being a testimony of His character (name) to all who will hear. Jesus gives them a unique promise that had actually already begun: I have set before you an open door that no one can shut. To “keep” all that you understand of His word is to be given an open door for greater understanding. “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given.” (Luke 19:26)
In prophetic church history, the reason for the sharp contrast between Sardis and Philadelphia is evident. In short, it is being quite comfortable with sin and error vs. acceptance of the gift of repentance unto correction, increased understanding, and sanctification. It had been widely believed among the various denominations that the sanctuary was the earth. The idea had been repeated so often that it was accepted as fact.
A persevering study of Scripture led them to an enlightening correction. Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary. Who is so great a God as our God? (Psalm 77:13) Only our God can save us. His way of saving us is beautifully illustrated in the sanctuary. He wants us to understand and cooperate with this way. Hebrews 8:2,5,6 tells us that there is a sanctuary in heaven, where our High Priest now ministers, having presented His own blood on our behalf.
The sanctuary blueprint given to Moses was to illustrate salvation. The earth was represented only by the courtyard around the tabernacle (and not the building itself). It was on earth where the sacrifice of Jesus occurred (altar of sacrifice); and believer’s baptism also happens here (laver of washing). Now, regarding the building: the tabernacle proper illustrates the sanctification of believers who, by faith—as citizens of heaven—enter the heavenly sanctuary. There they feed daily upon the unchanging word of God (Psalm 89:34) while developing a life of prayer and witnessing (represented in the first apartment of the sanctuary by the showbread, the altar of incense, and the lighted lampstand). The ministry of our resurrected Lord as our Great High Priest began in this first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, called the Holy Place.
He has since moved into the Most Holy Place. In the earthly ordinance, the priest entered the Most Holy Place only once a year (Hebrews 9:7). This depicted a one-time event called the Day of Atonement. This Day represents judgment, during which the sanctuary is cleansed (Daniel 8:14) of the record of confessed sins. It highlights God’s justice and judgment as great news for all who have confessed and forsaken their sins. This is one of the great findings of the Philadelphia church, leading to an ongoing study of God’s amazing sanctuary.
“For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34)
Just as the door to the ark remained open until God closed it (for only God could close that door!), there is still an open door for even the weakest saint who honors God’s word and testifies to His character in this hurting, broken world. (for further study: Daniel 8:11,13,14; 9:17,26; 11:31)