“Enter ye in at the strait gate (1) for wide is the gate (2) and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” (Mat. 7:13)

1. Strongs #2374 a) a door, (b) met: an opportunity. Apparently a primary word; a portal or entrance.

2. Strongs #4439: A gate. Apparently a primary word; a gate, i.e. The leaf or wing of a folding entrance.

Some years ago in a vision, a large open doorway – an archway was shown.   A large angel – or what I thought was Archangel – clothed in a bright white gown framed the doorway.  That is to say, he encircled to his right side the archway with his body and extended arms.

The meaning of the vision eluded me at that time because I did not know Scriptures.  It was only later that I understood I was being symbolically shown the open portal or gateway that leads to the heavenly city and temple. It was Jesus’ glorified body that was framing this entrance. And it was Jesus’ profound love for our FATHER and His love for a lost humanity caught in the vice-grip of the enemy that made it all possible.

Let us flash back in time when the chosen people were spared the consequences of the Angel of Death when they obediently sprinkled lamb’s blood on the lintels of their doorways. In a nutshell, it foreshadowed the sprinkling of the Lamb’s blood on the Cross and on the lintels of human souls. And yet there is a difference between a lintel and an archway.

A lintel, secured on two supports, is usually constructed of one single flat beam that frames a doorway and carries a limited load. By contrast, an archway, built on two lighter supports, can carry a higher amount of load because its downward pressure forces the voussoirs together instead of apart.  

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mat. 11:28-30)

Jesus, who has been given the Spirit without measure by the FATHER, is empowered to support the pressure of the archway because of His sacrificed body – indeed the whole structure! Altogether, the archway and two pillars symbolize the Holy Trinity. And all Believers on earth whose lintels and souls have been sprinkled by the Lamb’s blood and who have overcome are able to enter this greater entrance by “way” of the Cross and become ‘lively stones’ and/or ‘pillars’. (1 Pet. 2:5; Rev. 3:12)

Significantly, it is noted in scriptures that Jesus was crucified “outside” the gates of Jerusalem.  (Heb. 13:12) Notably and without doubt, it carried great significance.  Jesus’s heavenly identity and authority was not accepted by the people in the city, nor was He accepted by a corrupted Rome, nor was He accepted by religious Temple priests. Much like what is happening today.   Being crucified outside these earthly gates meant that He was predestined to open a greater gate to a heavenly city and temple for all who would faithfully believe and follow Him there at the time of death or of fulfillment. (Most tragically, it can be discerned that rebuilding the physical temple in Jerusalem – all earthly religious structures – will be a stumbling block for those who have yet to recognize the Son as the Messiah. Its gate and structure will be weak, vulnerable and at risk of “folding ” in the time of destruction.)

Take care not to miss so unfathomably great an “opportunity” Jesus made available because of His great love. Indeed, no greater love had this man and Son of GOD, Jesus the Messiah, when He laid down His precious life for us.

“ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (Jn. 10:9)

 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Jn. 14:6)

Keep the Faith,

Suzanne