Doors and their symbolic context.
In our lives, doors open and close. We see this in a symbolic context: someone puts a good word or a favor they owe you. God is known to open and close doors as well. The Bible tells us that when we keep God’s word and do not deny him he opens doors that no one can close (Is. 22:22). Jesus tells the church of Philidelphia he knows their strength because they did not deny him and kept his word he opened a door for them (Re 3:8). The physical purpose that doors serve is also seen in the symbolic. Doors are used to enter, exit, and secure places. Doors of opportunities with funding, meals, to preach the gospel without hassle, and other government assistance were opened to this church. The Apostle Paul asked the church of Colossians to pray that God would open doors of utterance to speak the mysteries of the kingdom of God (Col. 4:3). God opened the doors of faith to the Gentiles for the apostles (Act 14:27). Now doors without security are useless. They secure the inside from dust, light, and other things non-threatening to anyone’s life. In the ’50s and ’60s, people did not lock their doors because moral values were highly emphasized. Today we need at least 2 deadbolts, a steel door, a steel storm door, a dog, a gun, and a security alarm system to keep intruders from breaking in.
Nehemiah 3:1
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
The gates of Jerusalem were all destroyed. The high priest and the other priests under him decided to rebuild the gate where their food and clothing came in, the sheep gate. After they rebuilt the door, they sanctified it with prayer, the reading of scriptures, and sacrifices. There were seven gates in the city of Jerusalem in need of repair. There was the sheep’s gate, the fish gate, the old gate, the valley gate, the dung gate, the gate of the fountain, the water gate, and the horse gate. All the gates needed to be restored. Once everyone saw the priests working on restoring the sheep gate, they all began to restore the gate next to them. All the people restored the gates and their security system. The priests could have restored the doors and not sanctified them, but they did not. They needed the blessing of the Lord on that door. The Psalmist said that unless the Lord builds the house the labors that labor in it work in vain (Ps.127:1).
Like Jerusalem’s gates needed to be rebuilt and restored, many of the doors in our lives need repair. God allowed the enemy to destroy all the gates of Jerusalem because of the people’s sin. Sin is what makes God close doors. Our heart is a door and we open it to whoever we want to let in. Jesus said that he stands at the door and knocks and if anyone will let him in he will come and sup with him (Rev. 3:20).
Isaiah 22:22
And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
Revelation 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.
Colossians 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:
Acts 14:27
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
Psalms 127:1
Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Revelation 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.