These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (Revelation 3:7)
What a word of encouragement this is for us today. Our God is the keeper of the Gate into glory. It is God who holds the key that unlocks the door leading to eternal life, and it is God who locks it keeping all those who have entered in eternally safe. This is the key of David and it is designed to both encourage and comfort you not only today, but all the way into glory. Here are some of the incredible implications:
Salvation is rooted in . . .
- God’s mercy – not our merit
- God’s grace – not our good works
- God’s good pleasure – not our posturing
The gate that allows access into eternal life is opened by God and God alone. He is the one who extends His invitation. He is the one who pours out His grace. He is the one who offers His mercy. And when we receive it by faith, we can be assured that our home in heaven is absolutely assured. In addition, that same gate that allows access into eternal life on the other side of the grave, is closed and secured by God too. What this means is eternal life is assured and judgment is certain.
You see, today is a day of invitation for all those who are outside the gate. God in Christ has extended His invitation to everyone who will trust in Christ alone for eternal life. The promise is eternal life for those who will abandon their self-salvation project and transfer their trust to the Savior. The flip side of this truth is – tomorrow may not be a day of invitation because we have breathed our last, and the door leading to eternal life is closed forever. So, if you have acknowledged yourself to be a sinner in need of a Savior and you have transferred your trust to Jesus Christ, rejoice knowing that a banquet is being prepared for you this day, and one day soon, you will be sitting at table with Jesus Christ.
To know that your salvation is secure is to know that there is nothing in the entire universe that can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Not your sin. Not Satan. Nothing! The door that was opened by your Savior has also been closed and locked behind you. Does that truth not fill you with unimaginable strength for the day ahead? If Jesus has the ultimate authority as the keeper of the gate, He is absolutely sovereign over everything detail of your life. Nothing happens to you that doesn’t first pass through His nail-scarred hands. And everything happens to you for two reasons: God’s glory and your eternal good.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 