JesustheOpenDoorKennethE.Hagin

Unlessotherwiseindicated,allScripturequotationsaretakenfromtheKingJamesVersionoftheBible.ElectronicEditionPublished2014ISBN-13:978-1-60616-856-1ISBN-10:1-60616-856-8Copyright©1996RhemaBibleChurchakaKennethHaginMinistries,Inc.Allrightsreserved.TheFaithShieldisatrademarkofRhemaBibleChurch,AKAKennethHaginMinistries,Inc.,registeredwiththeU.S.PatentandTrademarkOfficeandthereforemaynotbeduplicated.

Chapter1

Jesus’CharacterandWorkRevealed

. . . to the angel of the church in Philadelphiawrite; ThesethingssaithhethatisHOLY,hethatisTRUE,hethathathTHEKEYOFDAVID,HETHATOPENETH,andnomanshutteth;andSHUTTETH,andnomanopeneth;...behold,Ihavesetbeforethee AN OPEN DOOR, and NO MAN CAN SHUT IT. . . . —Revelation3:7–8

The Lord sets before us wonderful doors of opportunities,blessings, and provisions. What’s more, they are not closeddoors,buttheyarewideopendoorsofdivineblessing.

AswewalkthroughtheLord’sopendoors,wereceivedivinerichesthatHehaspreparedforusbecauseofourinheritanceinChrist.

DuringtheApostleJohn’sexileontheIsleofPatmos,theLordfirst gave him the revelation of Jesus as the One who opensdoors. In fact, the entire Book of Revelation is the vision andrevelationofJesusChristandwaswrittenwhenJesusappearedtoJohnwhilehewasintheSpiritontheLord’sday.

During this time, the Lord also gave John messages for theseven churches that existed in Asia Minor at that time. InRevelation3:8,JesustoldJohnthatHewassettinganopendoorbeforethePhiladelphiaChurch,adoorthatnomancouldopenorshut.

However,themessagesJesusgaveJohnforthechurchesalsoteachusa lesson.Theycontainmessages fromGod tous.Forexample,inRevelationchapters2and3,noticesomethingthatJesus repeated over and over again: “He that hath an ear, lethim hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Rev.2:7,11,17,29;3:6,13,22).

AccordingtoTheAmplifiedBible, Jesuswas actually saying,“He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the[Holy]Spiritsaystotheassemblies(churches).”

Ibelievethatincludesthoseofuslivingtoday.WetooneedtohearwhattheSpiritissayingtotheChurch.WearetheChurch—theBodyofChrist.

JesusIstheHolyOneandtheTrueOneWhatisthemessagefortheBodyofChristtoday?Itisfound

inRevelation3:7and8.

TheLord JesusChrist is speaking in these verses.WeknowJesus is the One speaking because verse 7 says, “. . . These

thingsSAITHHE THAT ISHOLY,HE THAT IS TRUE . . . HETHAT OPENETH. . . .” Jesus is the One who qualifies as theHolyOneandtheTrueOne.

Bysayingthis,JesusisgivingusadescriptionofHimself.HeisrevealingHischaractertous.WhatisHischaracter?

Jesus is holy and true. Those qualities are aspects of Hischaracter.

Therefore, thefirst thingJesusrevealedaboutHischaracterin Revelation 3:7 is that He is holy and true. You see, JesuscouldsayHeisholybecausenofaultwasfoundinHimbyGod,byman,orbythedevil.WewillalsoseewhyJesuscouldsayofHimselfthatHeistrue.

GodFoundNoFaultinJesusYourememberthatJesuswasbaptizedbyJohnintheJordan

River.AsHecamestraightwayupoutofthewater,theSpiritofGoddescendeduponHiminbodilyshapeandformlikeadove.

Then a Voice spoke from Heaven, saying, “. . . Thou artmybeloved Son; IN THEE I AM WELL PLEASED” (Luke 3:22).Therefore,God foundno fault inHim. In fact,God theFathersaidHewaswellpleasedwithJesus.

ThenGodalsospokefromHeavenonanotheroccasionaboutJesus. You remember when Jesus took Peter, James, and Johnand went up to the Mount of Transfiguration. The Bible saysthatthecloudofGod’sgloryovershadowedthem.

MATTHEW17:55...ABRIGHTCLOUDovershadowedthem:andbeholdAVOICEOUTOFTHECLOUD,whichsaid,THISISMYBELOVEDSON,INWHOMIAMWELLPLEASED;hearyehim.

Jesus pleased God because He was and is the Holy One. Inotherwords,GodfoundnofaultinHim.

ManFoundNoFaultinJesusMentriedtofindfaultinJesus,buttheycouldn’tfindanysin

in Him. Men even examined Jesus before the courts of men;theytriedto find fault inHimandtrapHiminHiswords.Butthey couldn’t find any error in Him because His character ispure,holy,andtrue.

In fact, throughout His ministry, men brought Jesus beforehumancourtsofpublicopinionandjudgment.Forexample,theWord of God tells us that the Pharisees thought surely theycould challenge Jesus and that He would say something thatwouldgetHimintroublewiththeRomangovernment.

ThePharisees said, “Wewant toaskYouaquestion.Shouldwepay taxes toCaesarornot?”Well, that isaquestion some

peopleaskeventoday,isn’tit?Peoplewillgetintroubleeveninourdayiftheydon’tpaytheirtaxes.

ThePharisees thought theywouldcatch Jesus inanerror. IfHesaid,“Yes,youmustpaytaxestoCaesar,”thenHewouldbeintroublewiththereligiousfolks.

ButifHesaid,“No,youshouldnotpaytaxestoCaesar,”thenHe would be in trouble with the government. However, JesusansweredinsuchawaythatnofaultcouldbefoundinHimbyanyone.

MARK12:13–1713Andtheysenduntohim[Jesus]certainof thePhariseesandof theHerodians,TOCATCHHIMINHISWORDS.14Andwhentheywerecome,theysayuntohim,Master,weknowthatTHOU ART TRUE, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not thepersonofmen,but teachest thewayofGod INTRUTH: Is it lawful togivetributetoCaesar,ornot?15Shallwegive,orshallwenotgive?Buthe,knowingtheirhypocrisy,saiduntothem,Whytemptyeme?bringmeapenny,thatImayseeit.16Andtheybroughtit.Andhesaithuntothem,Whoseisthisimageandsuperscription?Andtheysaiduntohim,Caesar’s.17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the thingsthat are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And THEYMARVELLEDATHIM.

Yousee,eventhePharisees,thestrictestreligioussectoftheday,couldfindnofaultinJesus.Matthew’sGospelsays,“Whentheyhadheardthesewords,theymarvelled,andlefthim,andwenttheirway”(Matt.22:22).Jesus,theHolyOne,couldnotbefoundinerror.

ThentheSadduceeshadtheirtryatHim.TheSadduceesdidnot believe in the resurrection from the dead, nor did theybelieveinangelsorspirits.SotheycametoaskJesusaquestionconcerningJewishLaw,hopingtocatchHiminanerror.

MARK12:18–2718 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is noresurrection;andtheyaskedhim,saying,19Master,Moseswroteuntous, If aman’sbrotherdie, and leavehiswifebehindhim,andleavenochildren,thathisbrothershouldtakehiswife,andraiseupseeduntohisbrother.20Nowthereweresevenbrethren:andthefirsttookawife,anddyingleftnoseed.21Andthesecondtookher,anddied,neitherleftheanyseed:andthethirdlikewise.22Andthesevenhadher,andleftnoseed: lastofall thewomandiedalso.23Intheresurrectiontherefore,whentheyshallrise,whosewifeshallshebeofthem?forthesevenhadhertowife.24AndJesusansweringsaiduntothem,Doyenotthereforeerr,becauseyeknownotthescriptures,neitherthepowerofGod?25Forwhentheyshallrise fromthedead, theyneithermarry,noraregiveninmarriage;butareastheangelswhichareinheaven.26Andastouchingthedead,thattheyrise:haveyenotreadinthebookofMoses,howinthebushGodspakeuntohim,saying,IamtheGodofAbraham,andtheGodofIsaac,andtheGodofJacob?27HeisnottheGodofthedead,buttheGodoftheliving:yethereforedogreatlyerr.

Jesus answered with such wisdom and authority that the

SadduceescouldfindnofaultinHimeither.TheofficersofthechiefpriestsandthePhariseesalsowantedtoquestionJesustotrytotrapHiminHiswords.Buttheycouldnot.

Nowondertheycamebackandreported,“Nevermanspakelike thisman” (John7:45,46).Why?Because Jesus is theHolyOne. He is the True One, and there is no fault or flaw in Hischaracterwhatsoever.

Onanotheroccasion,thereligiousauthoritiesofthedaytriedtotrapJesusbydemandingonwhatauthorityHeperformedHismiracles.

MARK11:27–29,3327 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in thetemple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and theelders,28And say unto him,Bywhat authority doest thou these things? andwhogavetheethisauthoritytodothesethings?29And Jesus answeredand saidunto them, Iwill also askof youonequestion,andanswerme,andIwilltellyoubywhatauthorityIdothesethings....

33 And they answered and said unto Jesus,We cannot tell. And Jesusansweringsaithuntothem,NeitherdoItellyoubywhatauthorityIdothesethings.

NomatterwhatthereligiousleaderstriedtodototrapJesus,theycouldnotcatchHiminHiswordsbecauseHeistheHolyOne.

NofaultcouldbefoundinHimbymanbecauseHischaracterwasandisflawless.

Even when Jesus stood before a human tribunal to becrucified, man could find no charge against Him. Even Judas,hisaccuser,couldfindnofault inHim.Judassaid,“. . . Ihavesinned in that I havebetrayed the innocentblood . . .” (Matt.27:4).

PilateaskedthecrowdofJesus’accusers:“...whatevilhathhedone?. . .” (Matt.27:23).PilatehadnoaccusationtobringagainstJesus,becauseJesushaddonenothingworthyofdeath.

MATTHEW27:2424 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather atumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before themultitude,saying,IaminnocentofthebloodofTHISJUSTPERSON:seeyetoit.

Infrontofeverysinglehumantribunal,nofaultwasfoundinJesusbyman.HischaracterstoodthetestofmanbecauseHeisholyandtrue.

SatanFoundNoFaultinJesusThedeviltriedtofindfaultinJesustoo.InMatthew4,Jesus

was ledby theSpirit into thewilderness tobe temptedof thedevil.

After Jesus had fasted forty days and nights, Satan came toHimandsaid,“If[Youare]theSonofGod,commandthatthesestonesbemadebread” (Matt. 4:3). Jesus answered, “. . . It iswritten,Man shall not livebybreadalone,butbyeverywordthatproceedethoutofthemouthofGod”(Matt.4:4).

Satanwas trying to tempt Jesusand trapHim inHiswords.But Jesus rebuked Him with the Word of God, saying, “It iswritten...”(Matt.4:4,7,10).

ThenSatantookJesustothehighestpointofthetemple,andsaid,“If Youare theSonofGod, castYourself down.GodwillsaveYou”(Matt.4:6).SatanevenquotedtheScripturestotrytotrapJesuswiththeWord.

MATTHEW4:66...IfthoubetheSonofGod,castthyselfdown:FORITISWRITTEN,Heshallgivehisangelschargeconcerningthee:andintheirhandstheyshallbeartheeup,lestatanytimethoudashthyfootagainstastone.

SatancanquoteScripturewhenitsuitshispurposestodoso.ButJesusrightlydividedtheWord,saying,“...ITISWRITTENagain, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matt. 4:7).Therefore,SatancouldnotfindanyfaultinJesus.

Then Satan took Jesus up on a high mountain and showedHimallthekingdomsofearthinamomentoftime.SatantoldJesus if He would fall down and worship him, he would giveJesusallthekingdomsoftheworldwithalltheirglory.

Jesus answered him, “. . . Get thee hence, Satan: for it iswritten, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him onlyshaltthouserve”(Matt.4:10).

Satan could not trick Jesus with any of these temptations.Jesus stood steadfast by declaring what the Word said. JesuswhippedSatanwiththeWord.Jesus’characterstoodthetestoftemptationsandtrialsbecauseHeistheHolyOneandtheTrueOne.Satancouldn’tfindanyfaultinJesus.

No faultwas found in JesusbyGod,byman,orby thedevilbecauseJesus’characterisholyandtrue.

JesusIstheFaithfulandTrueWitnessYousee,JesuscouldalsosayofHimselfinRevelation3:7that

HeistheTrueOnebecausenoflawwasfoundinHischaracter.WeknowthatJesus’characterisfaithfulandtruebecausethatisoneofHisNamesineternity.

REVELATION19:1111And I sawheavenopened,andbeholdawhitehorse;andHETHATSAT UPON HIM WAS CALLED FAITHFUL AND TRUE, and inrighteousnesshedothjudgeandmakewar.

Then also in the Book of Revelation, Jesus Himself revealedsomethingelseaboutHischaracter.HerevealedthatHeisthe

FaithfulandTrueWitness.REVELATION3:1414 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; Thesethings saith the Amen, THE FAITHFUL AND TRUE WITNESS, thebeginningofthecreationofGod.

Why could the Bible say that Jesus is the Faithful and TrueWitness? Because Jesus faithfully represented the Father.RememberthatJesussaid,“...hethathathseenmehathseentheFather...”(John14:9).

Infact,inHisearthlywalk,Jesus’testimonyabouttheFatherGodwas so faithful and true that you could look at Jesus andseewhatGodislike.YoucouldseetheFather’scharacterandnature in Jesus. Acts 10:38 says that Jesus “. . . went aboutdoinggood,andhealingallthatwereoppressedofthedevil;forGodwaswithhim.”

WeknowJesusisatruewitnessbecauseHesaid,“ForIcamedownfromheaven,nottodomineownwill,butthewillofhimthatsentme” (John6:38).Thedefinitionof theword“true” ishonest,steadfast,honorable,just,right,andfaithful.

Jesuswashonest,steadfast,honorable,just,right,andfaithfulto carry out the Father’s will on the earth. Jesus said, “Thewords I speak unto you, they are not Mine, but they are MyFather’s”(John14:10).JesuswasafaithfulandtruewitnessoftheFatherineverysituation.

JOHN12:49,5049For I havenot spokenofmyself; but theFatherwhich sentme, hegavemeacommandment,whatIshouldsay,andwhatIshouldspeak.50And Iknow thathiscommandment is lifeeverlasting:whatsoever Ispeaktherefore,evenastheFathersaiduntome,soIspeak.

JesuswasfaithfulandtruetospeakonlywhatHeheardfromtheFather.HefaithfullyrepresentedtheHeavenlyFathereveninHiswords.

Manytimes,peopletalkaboutpoliticalpeopleandtelevisionpersonalitieswhostandattheforefrontindifferentareasofourculture.Thequestion isoftenasked,“Justwhat is thatpersonreallylike?”

Forexample,sometimesinterviewersaskaboutthosewhoarerunning forpresidentorsomeotherpublicoffice, “What ishereally like?” People can get one image of the candidate inpublic,buttheywanttoknowifthepersonisreallylikethatallthetime.

Sometimesfolksmaywonderandaskthequestion,“What isGodreallylike?”

But if youreallywant toknowwhatGod is like, just lookatJesus (Acts 10:38). If you want to hear God talking, listen toJesus. If you want to see God at work, look at Jesus. Jesusfaithfully represented the Father God in every way to the

people.

JesusIstheAuthorizedOne—HeHoldstheKeyofDavid

ISAIAH22:2222AndthekeyofthehouseofDavidwillIlayuponhisshoulder;soheshallopen,andnoneshallshut;andheshallshut....

JesusistheAuthorizedOne—HeistheOnewhohasthekeyofDavid. In the Scriptures, keys are often used as a symbol ofpowerandauthority.Givingkeystoapersonsignifiesthatyouareentrustinghimwithanimportantcharge.GodhasentrustedHimthatisfaithfulandtrue.

God had made a covenant with David, promising that adescendantofDavidwouldcomeandalwayssitonthethroneofthehouseofIsrael.ThatwasliterallyfulfilledinthecomingoftheLord JesusChristwithHisascensiononHigh tositat theFather’srighthand(Heb.1:3).

JEREMIAH33:17,20–2117ForthussaiththeLord;DAVIDSHALLNEVERWANTAMANTOSITUPONTHETHRONEOFTHEHOUSEOFISRAEL;...

20ThussaiththeLord,Ifyecanbreakmycovenantoftheday,andmycovenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night intheirseason;21ThenmayalsomycovenantbebrokenwithDavidmyservant,thatHESHOULDNOTHAVEASONTOREIGNUPONHISTHRONE....

GodwasreferringtoJesuswhenHesaidthat.JesuswasnotbornofnaturalseedeventhoughJoseph,Jesus’earthlyfather,wasofthehouseandlineageofDavid(Luke1:27).

The Bible says the power of the Most High overshadowedMary (Luke 1:35). Therefore, Jesus was born of supernaturalseed;supernaturallyJesuswasoftheseedandlineageofDavid.

LUKE1:30–3330 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast foundfavourwithGod.31And,behold,thoushaltconceiveinthywomb,andbringforthason,andshaltcallhisnameJESUS.32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of theHighest: andTHELORDGODSHALLGIVEUNTOHIMTHETHRONEOFHISFATHERDAVID:33AndHESHALLREIGNOVERTHEHOUSEOFJACOBFOREVER;andOFHISKINGDOMTHERESHALLBENOEND.

Yousee,David ruledover Israel in thenatural (2Sam.5:5).But it was prophesied that the Christ would come from thehouse of David, and He would rule over His peoplesupernaturally—HewouldsitonthethroneofDavidandreignforever. Therefore, the covenant God made with David asrecordedintheOldTestamentwasfulfilledinJesus(Ps.89:3,4,34–35;132:11–12;Jer.33:20–21).

This was later confirmed in the New Testament whenZechariah prophesied about the Savior who would come from

thehouseofDavid.LUKE1:68–6968BlessedbetheLordGodofIsrael;forhehathvisitedandredeemedhispeople,69AndhathraisedupanHORNOFSALVATIONforusintheHOUSEOFHISSERVANTDAVID.

That’stalkingaboutJesusChristwhowouldbegiventhekeyof David. According to one commentator, the key of David“implies the royal power and authority of Davidic dynasty orkingdom....IntheNewTestamentthispowerislodgedintherisenChrist.”1

WeseeintheScripturesthatJesusistheOnewhowasgivenroyalpowerandauthority. Inotherwords, JesusChristwastoultimately carry on or fulfill the reign of the house of DavidsupernaturallyastheMessiahandLord.

ThenontheDayofPentecost,Peterstoodupandspoketothe120believerswhoweregatheredintheUpperRoomthatday.

HeconfirmedthefactthatJesusChrististheOnewhocametositonthethroneofDavidtoruleHispeople.

ACTS2:29–30,34–3629 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarchDavid,thatheisbothdeadandburied,andhissepulchreiswithusuntothisday.30Thereforebeingaprophet,andknowingthatGodhadswornwithanoath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, HEWOULDRAISEUPCHRISTTOSITONHISTHRONE;...

34ForDavidisnotascendedintotheheavens:buthesaithhimself,TheLordsaiduntomyLord,Sitthouonmyrighthand,35UntilImakethyfoesthyfootstool.36Therefore let all thehouseof Israelknowassuredly, thatGodhathmade that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, BOTH LORD ANDCHRIST.

AccordingtodifferentBiblecommentaries,inancientEasterncountries,keysweresometimescarriedovertheshoulderasasymbolofpowerandauthority.

This is fulfilled in Jesus’ eternal reign, because the OldTestament Scriptures predicted that one day all governmentandauthoritywouldbeundertheMessiah’sdominion.Inotherwords,“thegovernmentshallbeuponhisshoulder.”

ISAIAH9:66 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and THEGOVERNMENTSHALLBEUPONHISSHOULDER:andhisnameshallbecalledWonderful, Counsellor, ThemightyGod, The everlasting Father,ThePrinceofPeace.

Therefore, talking about Jesus’ eternal reign, the key of thehouse of David symbolizes Jesus’ authority and power to“sustainthegovernmentonhisshoulders.”2

1CORINTHIANS15:2424Thencomeththeend,whenheshallhavedeliveredupthekingdomtoGod,eventheFather;whenheshallhaveputdownALLRULEandALLAUTHORITYandPOWER.

Ourtextscripture,Revelation3:7,says that JesuswasgiventhekeyofDavid,indicatingthatallauthoritywasgiventoHim.That’swhattheBiblemeanswhenitsays,“...thegovernmentshallbeuponhisshoulder....”

As the Christ and Lord, Jesus literally brought to pass OldTestamentprophecy to ruleand reign foreverandever,whichfulfilledtheDavidicCovenant.JesuswasgiventhekeyofDavidtospirituallysitonDavid’sthroneandruleandreignoverHispeopleIsrael—andofHiskingdomthereshallbenoend.

LUKE1:32–3332Heshallbegreat,andshallbecalledtheSonoftheHighest:andtheLordGodshallgiveuntohimTHETHRONEOFHISFATHERDAVID:33AndHESHALLREIGNOVERTHEHOUSEOFJACOBFOREVER;andOFHISKINGDOMTHERESHALLBENOEND.

NowyoucanseewhyJesusistheOnewhohastheauthorityandabilitytoopenandshutdoors.

REVELATION3:77...Thesethingssaithhethatisholy,hethatistrue,HETHATHATHTHE KEY OF DAVID, he that OPENETH, and no man shutteth; andSHUTTETH,andnomanopeneth.

What Jesus opens, no man can shut. Jesus also has theauthority to shutdoors, andwhatHe shutsnomancanopen.The key of David means that Jesus has authority no manpossesses.

Isaiah also prophesied about Jesus’ authority to open andclosedoors.NoticethatIsaiahalsousesthephrase“thekeyofDavid”inconnectionwithJesus’authority.ItisinterestingthatIsaiahalsoprophesiedthatGodwould“laythekeyofDavidonJesus’shoulder,”talkingaboutJesus’reign.

ISAIAH22:2222 And the KEY OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID WILL I LAY UPON HISSHOULDER; soHESHALLOPEN, andnone shall shut; andHESHALLSHUT,andnoneshallopen.

ThekeyofthehouseofDavidcanalsobeunderstoodasthepowerandauthority togiveaccess toGodand toeternal life.Weknow that Jesus is theAuthorizedOnegivingusaccess toGodandtoeternallifebecausetheScripturesays,“Forthereisone God, and one mediator between God and men, the manChristJesus”(1Tim.2:5).

Also,JesusHimselfsaid,“Ihavethekeysofhellanddeath.”Nomanhasauthorityoverhellanddeath.

REVELATION1:1818 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore,Amen;andhaveTHEKEYSOFHELLANDOFDEATH.

Thank God, Jesus went down to the dark regions of thedomainofdeathandledcaptivitycaptive(Eph.4:8,9).Hetookthekeysofhellanddeathaway fromSatanandaroseon thatglad Resurrection morning long ago—the Victor over death,

hell,andthegrave!

WhenJesusarosefromthedead,HewenttotellHisdisciples.He gave them the revelation that He is the Authorized Onebecause all power in Heaven and earth was given unto Him.ThegovernmentisuponHisshoulders!HealonehasthekeyofDavid.

MATTHEW28:9–10,16–189Andastheywenttotellhisdisciples,behold,Jesusmetthem,saying,Allhail.Andtheycameandheldhimbythefeet,andworshippedhim.10Thensaid Jesusunto them,Benotafraid:go tellmybrethren thattheygointoGalilee,andthereshalltheyseeme....

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into amountainwhereJesushadappointedthem.17Andwhentheysawhim,theyworshippedhim:butsomedoubted.18AndJesuscameandspakeuntothem,saying,ALLPOWERISGIVENUNTOMEINHEAVENANDINEARTH.

Jesus told His disciples that all power had been given untoHim inHeavenand inearth.Howcouldallpowerbegiven toJesus?BecauseHeis theHolyOne;He is theTrueOne;He istheFaithfulandtheTrueWitness.

He is theAuthorizedOne—possessing thekeyofDavid—thekey of power and authority forever. He is authorized to openandclosedoors.AndJesushasthekeysofdeathandhell(Rev.1:18).

REVELATION5:1–51 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a bookwrittenwithinandonthebackside,SEALEDWITHSEVENSEALS.2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, WHO ISWORTHYTOOPENTHEBOOK,andtoloosethesealsthereof?3 And NOMAN IN HEAVEN, NOR IN EARTH, NEITHER UNDER THEEARTH, WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE BOOK, NEITHER TO LOOKTHEREON.4AndIweptmuch,becauseNOMANWASFOUNDWORTHYTOOPENANDTOREADTHEBOOK,neithertolookthereon.5Andoneof theelderssaithuntome,Weepnot:BEHOLD,THELIONOFTHETRIBEOFJUDA,theRootofDavid,HATHPREVAILEDTOOPENTHEBOOK,andtoloosethesevensealsthereof.

Jesus is the only One worthy to open the book sealed withsevenseals.Why?BecauseHe is theHolyOne, theTrueOne,and the Faithful and True Witness. He is the Authorized One;HeholdsthekeyofDavidandthekeysofdeathandhell.

Jesus’TwofoldWorkActually,ourtextscripture,Revelation3:7,revealstwothings

to us: Jesus’ character and Jesus’ work. We’ve seen Hischaracter. But in this passage, we also see somethingconcerningtheworkthattheHolyOneandtheTrueOnedoes.

REVELATION3:77...totheangelofthechurchinPhiladelphiawrite;ThesethingssaithhethatisHOLY,hethatisTRUE,hethathathTHEKEYOFDAVID,HETHAT OPENETH, and no man shutteth; and SHUTTETH, and no manopeneth.

Jesus’work is twofold in nature:He opens and shuts doors.He said about Himself, “I am He that openeth and no manshutteth.IamHethatshuttethandnomanopeneth.”OpeningandshuttingdoorsissymbolicofJesus’authority.ThesymbolofthekeyisapictureofHisauthority.

Therefore, one aspect of Jesus’ work is to open and shutdoors. Actually, in the Gospels, Jesus called Himself the Door.Hesaid,“IAMTHEDOOR:bymeifanymanenterin,heshallbesaved,andshallgoinandout,andfindpasture”(John10:9).

SoweseethatJesusisthedoortosalvation.JesusistheopenDoor to all who will believe and receive Him. The Bible says,“Neitheristheresalvationinanyother:forthereisnoneothername under heaven given among men, whereby we must besaved”(Acts4:12).

Well, that’s enough to shout about right there! Then inRevelation 3:8, Jesus went on to say, “. . . behold, I have setbeforetheeANOPENDOOR....”Everyoneisinvitedtoenterthroughtheopendoorofsalvation.

JesusisnotshuttingHisdoorsofblessingsonHispeople!Hisdoorsofblessingsareopentoall,praiseGod.Allmayenterinthroughthoseopendoors.

Jesus is also the closer of doors. There are somedoors thatwill eventually close if people refuse to accept Jesus and Hisopendoorsofblessing.

CanYouShutDoorsJesusOpensforYou?ItisimportanttoknowthatwhenJesusopensadoorforyou,

nomancanshutit.Yourmommacan’tshutit;yourdaddycan’tshutit;yourpastorcan’tshutadoorthatJesusopensforyou.

Actually,youaretheonlyonewhocanineffectshutthedoorsofGod’sblessingonyourlife.How?Byalackofunderstandingor by disobedience. You see, there is a God-ward side and aman-wardsidetoeverythingwereceivefromGod.

Many times folks want to leave it all up to God. They say,“WhateverIneed,IknowtheLordwillsendit.IfIneedhealing,Hewillsendthat.Whateveritis,Godwilljustsendit.”

That sounds good, and that sounds religious. But, really,putting it in thecontextofwhat Jesussaid, it isn’t true.Why?Because when it comes to the provisions of God, Jesus hasalreadysetbeforeusanopendoor.

EPHESIANS1:33 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hathBLESSEDUSWITHALLSPIRITUALBLESSINGSINHEAVENLYPLACESinChrist.

In other words, the open door of God’s blessings is already

there for us to enter into because God provided us with allspiritualblessingsinChristJesus.WhataresomeofJesus’opendoorstoGod’sblessings?

Well, there is theopendoorofsalvation, thedoorofserviceand opportunity, the door of divine healing, the door ofutterance, and the door of financial blessing. Then Jesus alsoopensforusthedoorofHeaven.

SinceJesushasopenedwideHisdoorsofblessingforus,thentheresponsibilityisourswhetherornotweeverenterthroughthoseopendoors.

Throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament right onthrough to the last page of the New Testament, you will findagainandagainwheretheWordofGodputstheresponsibilityforreceivingtheblessingsofGoduponeachindividualperson.

Forexample,Godsaid,“...CHOOSEYOUthisdaywhomyewillserve...”(Joshua24:15).Heleavesthechoiceuptous.Hedidn’tsay,“Iamgoingtochooseforyouwhomyoumustserve.”No,Hesaidyouchoosewhomyouwillserve.

ThenintheBookofRevelationtheWordofGodsaid,“...theSpirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say,Come . . .WHOSOEVERWILL, let him take thewater of lifefreely”(Rev.22:17).

Notice that it says “whosoever.” Thatmeans each individualpersonmustmakethechoiceforhimselftoenterthroughGod’sdoorsofblessings!

The blessings of God and everything else God wants you tohavearenotgoingtoautomaticallyfallonyoulikeripecherriesoffatree.

No,therearesomethingsyouwillhavetodotoreceiveGod’sblessings and provisions.You have a part to play in receivingfromGod.

Jesus has done His part because He’s already opened thosedoorsofblessing.AndsinceJesushassetbeforeyouopendoorsthatnomancanshut,it’suptoyoutowalkthroughthem!

I don’t know about you, but I like that word “open.” Notclosed—notshut—butopen.ThankGodforthedoorsofblessingandprovisionthatJesushasalreadyopenedandsetbeforeus!

Wouldn’titbeapitytocometotheendoflife’sjourneyneverhavingenjoyedGod’spromisesorprovisions—eventhoughtheywerealreadypreparedforus?Therefore,weneedtoseewhatthe Bible says about each door so we can know if we arewalking through thedoors that Jesushasso freelyopened forus.

1Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 2. (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1975), p.

988.

2 The Bethany Parallel Commentary of the Old Testament (Minneapolis,Minnesota:BethanyHousePublishers,1985),p.1390.

Chapter2

Jesus:TheOpenDoorofSalvation

Jesushasopenedthedoorofsalvationtoeveryperson.ThankGod, Jesus has opened the door of salvation that no one canshut—unless the person himself refuses to walk through thatopendoorbynotreceivingJesusChristashisSavior.

What does it mean that Jesus is the Door to salvation?Remember,Jesussaid,“Iamthedoor:bymeifanymanenterin,heshallbesaved...”(John10:9).

TheninHebrews10:20,theBiblesays,“Byanewandlivingway,whichhe[Jesus]hathconsecratedforus,throughtheveil,thatistosay,hisflesh.”Inotherwords,bysheddingHisbloodon theCrossatCalvary, Jesusopened thedoorof salvation toeverypersonwhowouldeverliveonthisearth.Yousee,whenJesusdiedandshedHisbloodfortheremissionofoursins, thecurtainthatseparatedtheHolyofHolies fromtheHoly placewas rent in two. That partition separatedmanfromtheHolyofHolieswherethePresenceofGoddweltundertheOldCovenant.

HEBREWS10:19–20(AMPLIFIED)19 Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence toenterintothe[Holyof]Holies[bythepowerandvirtue]inthebloodofJesus,20Bythisfresh(new)andlivingwaywhichHeinitiatedanddedicatedand opened for us through the separating curtain [veil of theHoly ofHolies],thatis,THROUGHHISFLESH.

Once that partition was rent by the sacrifice of Jesus’ ownbody on the Cross of Calvary, the Presence of God was nolongercontainedinaman-madetabernacle.BythesacrificeofJesus,thePresenceofGodcametodwell ineverypersonwhowouldreceiveJesusChristashisSavior(John14:23).

JesusHimselfIstheDoorThat’swhyJesusHimselfistheDoorofsalvation,becauseHemade the way for all people to be saved by His sacrificingHimself.AndJesuscalledHimselftheDoor.Infact,thereisnoother door throughwhichwe can receive salvation or eternallife(Acts4:12).

InJohnchapter10,weseethatJesusisboththeDoorandtheGood Shepherd. In verse 11, Jesus called Himself the GoodShepherd.TheGoodShepherdlaysdownHislifeforthesheep.ThesheepknowHisvoiceandfollowHim.

JOHN10:1–111Verily,verily,Isayuntoyou,HethatenterethnotbyTHEDOORintothesheepfold,butclimbethupsomeotherway,thesameisathiefanda

robber.2ButhethatenterethinbyTHEDOORistheshepherdofthesheep.3 TOHIM [the Shepherd] the porter openeth; and THE SHEEPHEARHIS VOICE: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth themout.4Andwhenheputtethforthhisownsheep,hegoethbeforethem,andthesheepfollowhim:FORTHEYKNOWHISVOICE.5 And a strangerwill they not follow, butwill flee fromhim: for theyknownotthevoiceofstrangers.6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not whatthingstheywerewhichhespakeuntothem.7Thensaid Jesusunto themagain,Verily, verily, I sayuntoyou, IAMTHEDOORofthesheep.8All thatevercamebeforemearethievesandrobbers:but thesheepdidnothearthem.9 I AM THE DOOR: BY ME IF ANY MAN ENTER IN, HE SHALL BESAVED,andshallgoinandout,andfindpasture.10Thethiefcomethnot,butfortosteal,andtokill,andtodestroy:Iamcome that they might have life, and that they might have it moreabundantly.11 IAMTHEGOODSHEPHERD: thegoodshepherdgivethhis life forthesheep.

Because Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the porter opens thedoortoHim.JesustheDoortosalvationprotectsthesheepsothat no thief or robber can come throughHim to get into thesheepfold.Therefore,JesusisboththeDoorofsalvationandtheGoodShepherdwhoprotectsHissheep.So, you see, Jesus theDoorof salvationhasalreadymadeawayfortheredemptionofeverypersonwhowouldeverliveonthis earth. But each person must walk through that door ofsalvationforhimself.GodputstheresponsibilityoneachpersonwhetherornothewillreceiveJesusChristashisSavior.

SalvationDefinedWhen we talk about the door of salvation, we are talkingaboutJesusprovidinguswiththenewbirthandtheremissionof sin.Becauseof Jesus’ sacrificeon theCross forus,wecanreceiveeternallifeandbecomenewcreaturesinChristJesus(2Cor.5:17).But, friend, there ismore involved in salvation than just thenewbirthandtheremissionofsins.That’spartofsalvation,butthatisn’tallofit.

Yousee,muchmorethanthenewbirthisimpliedinthisword“salvation.”

ROMANS1:1616ForIamnotashamedofthegospelofChrist:foritisTHEPOWEROFGODuntoSALVATIONtoeveryonethatbelieveth;totheJewfirst,andalsototheGreek.

AnoteinthemarginofmyBiblepointsoutthattheHebrewand Greek words for salvation imply not only the idea offorgiveness of sin, but also of healing and health. The word“salvation”actuallymeanshealing, health, safety, deliverance,soundness,andwholeness.

“Whosoever will” may come through this door of salvation!Eachindividualpersonmustchooseforhimselfwhetherhewillenterintotheblessingsandbenefitsthatsalvationprovidesforhim. The benefits of salvation include healing, health, safety,deliverance,soundness,andwholeness.

REVELATION22:1717AndtheSpiritandthebridesay,Come.Andlethimthathearethsay,Come.Andlethimthatisathirstcome.AndWHOSOEVERWILL,lethimtakethewateroflife[salvation]freely.

Dear friend, that door is still open, but one of these days itwillbeshut—andthenitwillbetoolate(2Cor.6:2;Gen.6:3).Youaretheonewhodecides ifyouwilleverwalkthroughthedoor of salvation; you alone decide where you will spendeternity.

Now some folks seem to think they can decidewhere otherpeople will spend eternity. In other words, if some folks hadanythingtodowithit,theywouldn’tletcertainpeoplethroughthedoorofsalvation!Theywouldshutthedoorofsalvationonthemiftheycould.

Andifsomefolkshadanythingtodowithopeningorclosingthe door of salvation, they would have certain rules,regulations, and requirements others would have to meetbeforetheycouldenterthroughthedoorofsalvation.Forexample,somepeoplefeelthatifyoudon’tbelongtotheirparticularcongregation,youcan’tbesaved.Othersbelievethatyou have to be baptized inwater by a certain formula beforeyoucanbesaved.ButI’mgladthatallsuchhumanthinkingisinerror.

Infact,throughtheyears,I’vehadseveralpeopletellmethatIwon’tgotoHeavenwhenIdiebecauseIdon’tbelongtotheirlittle group. Those folks tried to shut the door of salvation onme,butJesusopenedthatdoorandnomancanshutit!

ThankGod,IfoundtheopendoortosalvationthroughJesus,andafter Iwasbornagain, IknewIwasalreadyon theothersideof thatdoor! Iwassaved!Ididn’thavetoaskthosefolkswhetherIcouldgetinthatdoorornot—JesussettledthatissueonceandforallbythesacrificeofHimself!And thedoorof salvation is still open to thisday. Itwillnotalwaysbeopen,but it isstillopennow.But therewillcomeadaywhenthedoorofsalvationwillbeclosed;itwillbetoolatetoacceptJesusChristasLordandSavior.

TheShutDooroftheArkWe’ve talked about the positive side—the doors that Jesusopens. But, you see, He not only opens doors, the Bible alsosaysHeshutsdoors.JesusistheOnewho“...openeth,andno

manshutteth;andshutteth,andnomanopeneth”(Rev.3:7).

What are some of the doors that Jesus shuts?Well, for onething,Heshutsthedoorsofthefloodgatesofwrath.GobacktotheBookofGenesis,andyou’llseeatypeofwhatImean.The Bible said that in the days of Noah, the Lord made acovenant with Noah: “But with thee will I establish mycovenant;andthoushaltcomeintotheark,thou,andthysons,andthywife,andthysons’wiveswiththee”(Gen.6:18).

NoahobeyedGodandbuilttheark.ThenthedaycamewhenGodtoldNoahandhissonsandtheirwivestoenterintothearkfor their own safety and preservation. God also told Noah totake two of every kind of bird and animal to preserve God’screation(v.19).

Evidentlyothershadtheopportunitytoenterthearksotheywould be safe when the floods came because the Bible callsNoahapreacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5).However, thewickedpeopleofthatgenerationdidn’tlistenortakeadvantageoftheopportunity.

GENESIS6:13–14,1613AndGodsaiduntoNoah,Theendofallfleshiscomebeforeme;fortheearthisfilledwithviolencethroughthem;and,behold,Iwilldestroythemwiththeearth.14MAKETHEEANARKofgopherwood;roomsshaltthoumakeintheark,andshaltpitchitwithinandwithoutwithpitch....

16Awindowshaltthoumaketotheark,andinacubitshaltthoufinishitabove;andTHEDOOROFTHEARKshaltthousetinthesidethereof;withlower,second,andthirdstoriesshaltthoumakeit.

Notice something that the Bible says in this passage. Godspecifically toldNoah tobuild thearkwithadooron it.But Iwant you to notice something in the next verse. Noah didn’tshutthedoorofthearkhimself;hecouldn’t.TheBiblesaidthatitwastheLordwhoshut thedoorof thearkonNoahandhisfamily.Althoughthedoorwasadoorofsalvation toNoahandhis family, the door also represented a door of judgment tothosewithoutortothoseoutsidetheark.

GENESIS7:1616Andtheythatwent in,went inmaleandfemaleofall flesh,asGodhadcommandedhim:ANDTHELORDSHUTHIMIN.

The Lord shut the door on Noah and his family to protectthem from the wrath that was coming. By shutting the door,Godshutoutthewrathfromtheseeightsoulswhoweresavedbywater(1Peter3:20).

You see, there finally came a time when the Lord shut thedoor!Noahdidn’tshutit!Well,humannaturehasn’tchangedabitsincethetimeoftheflood. Intimesoftrouble,menwilldoall theycantopreservetheirownlivestosavethemselves.That’swhyI’mwellsatisfied

thatmanyofthosewickedpeopletriedtogetintothatarkafterGodhadalreadyshutthedoor.ButthedoorsthatGodshuts,nomancanopen.

When the rain descended and the flood came, that old arkbegan to float! The water kept rising until it was above thehousetopsandthetreetops.ProbablymanyofNoah’srelatives,friends, and neighbors came swimming around that old arkcryingout,“Noah,letusin!Noah,letusin!”But,yousee,itwastoolate.Noahcouldn’topenthedoorforthem because he hadn’t shut it. God had shut the door. Thesame door that shut Noah and his family in, shut out thosewickedfolks.TheyshouldhaveenteredthearkofsafetywhenNoahpreachedandgavethemtheopportunity(2Peter2:5).

Theshuttingof thesedoorsandthe inabilityofmentoopendoorsonceit’stoolateremindmeofanotherdoororopening,andthatisthegatesofhell.

GatesofHellWillBeEternallyShutJesus told believers that the gates of hell shall not prevailagainst the Church (Matt. 16:18). In other words, Satan’skingdomofdarknesswon’tbeabletoovercometheChurchofthe Lord Jesus Christ. And one day the literal gates of hellthemselves shall be finally closed, eternally shutting in theungodly and wicked who refused to accept the salvation thatJesusprovidedforthem.

ButGoddidnotcreatehell forpeople;Hecreated it for thedevil and his demons (Matt. 25:41). God doesn’t send anypersontohell.ApersonsendshimselftohellbyhisownsinofrejectingtheLordJesusChristasHisSavior.

Goddoesnotshutthedoorsofsalvationtokeeppeoplefromreceiving Jesus. He gives people a choice; they are the onlyoneswhocanshutthedoorofsalvationonthemselves.Butoneday, the gates of hell will be shut eternally, and those whorejectedJesusChristwillbeforeverlost.Also, one day the doors of Heaven will be shut against theworkersofiniquity.TheBibletellsusthisinRevelation21:27.Itsays,“...thereshallinnowiseenterintoit[Heaven]anythingthat defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, ormakethalie....”

WecanseethismoreclearlyinTheAmplifiedBible.REVELATION21:27(AMPLIFIED)27Butnothingthatdefilesorprofanesorisunwashedshalleverenterit[Heaven], nor any one who commits abominations—that is, unclean,detestable,morally repugnant things—or practices falsehood, but onlythosewhosenamesarerecordedintheLamb’sBookofLife.

Dear friend, just the thought of a soul being eternally

separatedfromGodandfromhislovedonesoughttobeenoughtosetusontheruntowinthelost.

Also, just the thoughtofbeingeternallyseparated fromGodoughttobeenoughtoencourageeverypersonwhoisn’tsureifheissavedtoacceptJesusandgethisheartrightwithGod.Sometimespeoplesay,“Well,I’lljusttakeachanceonit.I’mbasically a good person. I go to church, so I think I’ll go toHeavenwhenIdie.”

But if you know Jesus, you don’t have to take a chance onyoursalvation!Youdon’thavetowonderinyourheartwhetherornotyouwillmakeHeaven!WhenyouacceptJesusintoyourheartasyourLordandSavior,youcanknowforsurethatyouwillgotoHeavenwhenyoudie!

As longasyoustay inChrist,yoursalvation isnotbasedonchance—it is based on certainty! Therefore, if you’ve been abackslider—ifyouhaven’tbeenwalkingwithGod—youneedtogetbackintofellowshipwithHim.Don’twait until it is too latebecause there isgoing tobeagreathomegoingoneday.OnedaybelieversaregoinghometospendeternitywithJesus,andyoudon’twanttomissit.

The Bible also says there will be weeping and gnashing ofteethforthosewhomisstheopportunitytogotoHeaven(Matt.13:42,50;25:30).MaynoonereadingthismisstheopportunitytomakeHeaventheirhome!

Inthenaturalrealm,neglectedopportunitiesbringregrets.Inthespiritualrealm,howmuchmoredoneglectedopportunitiesbring regret! Missing salvation and Heaven and spendingeternityinhellbringsaregretthatlastsforever.In the natural realm, I’ve seenmenwho let an opportunityslip by them actually become weak and die premature. Theirliveswerechangedandruined;theirveryheartsseemedtobebroken.ThinkhowmuchmoregriefandtormentitwouldbetomisstheopportunitytogetsavedandgotoHeaven!

LostOpportunityBringsEternalRegretI remember that in my hometown, there was a young manwhowasjustalittleolderthanIwaswhogotmarriedandhadchildren. When his children got older, they began to go tochurch.Sometimesthismanwouldcometosomeofmyservices.He’dget under conviction and just cry like a baby. Tears wouldactuallyrunoffhisfaceandfallonthefloor.He’dshakeundertheconvictingpoweroftheHolySpiritjustlikehewashavingachill,butIcouldn’tgethimtogivehishearttoGod.

Yet Jesus had opened wide the door of salvation to him! Italkedtothismanpersonallyabouthissalvationmanytimes.

Infact,onenightheandIwalkedamileortwohomefromaservice, and I talked to him about his salvation. I knew heneeded to get right with God; he was a sinner, living inimmorality. He was married and fooling around with otherwomen.Isaidtohim,“Youknow,youareraisingafamilynow.You’vegotchildrento thinkof.For thesakeofyour familyaswellasfor your own sake, get them in church and live for Godyourself.” But somehow or another, I couldn’t get through tohim.HewouldneveracceptJesusandgetsaved.

Theyearscameandwent.Finally,Ileftthepastoralministryandwentoutintothefieldministry,travelingandteaching.OnetimeIwasholdingameetingwayoutinwestTexas.Godspoketomeinthenighttimeaboutthisman.

Iwasprayingbetweenthreeandfouro’clockinthemorningaround the altar of the churchwhere Iwas holding a revival.I’vealwaysdonealotofprayinginthenighttime.Godspoketomeandtoldmetogobacktomyhometowntotalk to thisman onemore time about accepting his salvation.Thinkof that!Godsentmemore thanthreehundredmilesallthewayfromwestTexastomyhometownineastTexastotalktoonelostsoul!

Thismanhad lefthiswifeand fivechildrenandhadrunoffwithanotherwoman.Godsentme tohimand toldmeexactlywhattosaytohim.Itracedhimdownandfinallyfoundhimandbegan talking to him about accepting Jesus. Every time IopenedmymouthandtalkedabouthimgivinghishearttotheLord,he’djumpjustlikeI’dhithimwithawhip.

Imean,heliterallyshookfromthetopofhisheadtothesolesofhisfeet.Andhecriedjustlikesomeonewhohadlostalovedone.I’veneverseenagrownmansobandshakeandcrylikehedid.Ifinallygotmymessagedeliveredtohim—thatheneededtogethisheartrightwithGodandgetsaved.He said, “Ken, I know you are right. I know you loveme. Iknoweverythingyou’ve said is so. I knowwhat Iought todo,butI’mnotgoingtodoit.

“IknowIoughttobesaved.IknowIoughttogivemylifetoJesus.IknowIoughttoliveright.Iknowwhat’sright.ButI’mnotgoing todo it. I’mnotgoing todo it!” andhe turnedandwalkedoffandleftmejustsittingthere.

Well, I went back to west Texas to preach. I was greatlyconcerned about him though. So again early in the morningabout four o’clock, I was lying on the platform of the church

sanctuaryprayingforhim.

All of a sudden, the word of the Lord came to me, saying,“Leavehimalone.Don’tprayforhim.Don’teverprayanotherprayerforhim.”Isaid,“Oh,dearGod!”Igotupoff thefloorandcried,“Oh,Lord!Thatmustnotberight.SurelyIshouldprayforhim!”

The Lord said, “Did you ever read in My Word in the OldTestament where I said concerning Ephraim, ‘Leave Ephraimalone.Leavehimalone!He’sjoinedtohisidols’?”

HOSEA4:1717Ephraimisjoinedtoidols:LETHIMALONE.

Godsaidthat!Inotherwords,GodfinallyclosedthedooronEphraim.GodwastellingoneofHisprophets,“Don’tprophesytohimanymore.Leavehimalone.He’sjoinedtohisidols.Don’teverprayforEphraimagain.”

Oh,that’sasadcommentary!Lostopportunitiesbringregret.Godgave thismanmany opportunities to accept his salvationthrough Jesus Christ, but themanwould never receive Jesus.HeabsolutelyrefusedtogivehishearttoGod.

Butthatisnottheendofthestoryaboutthisman.Thisfellowhad a beautiful, blond-headed little boy. The child was smart,andhelovedtogotochurch.HelovedtheLord.Thislittleboywassavedevenasalittlechild.Butoneday,somethinghappenedtohim.Histeacherwroteanotetohismotherandsaid,“Cometalktome.”Somethinghadhappenedtothechild’smind.Thenhismotherbegantowatchhim. In thewintertime, this littlechildwouldstand in frontofanopenstove;hisclotheswouldcatchonfirebecausehehadnofeelinginhisbodyatall.

Hismothertookhimtothedoctors,buttheycouldn’tfindoutwhat was wrong with him. Finally his mind was completelygone.Theydidn’thaveanyplacetoputachildlikethatinthosedays.Thestatewouldn’tkeephim,sofinallytheyputhiminahome for mentally-handicapped children. I was attending aconventionnearthetownwherethechildwasinstitutionalized,soIsaidtomywife,“Let’sgooutthereandseeifwecanvisitthatchild.Heshouldbefifteenorsixteenyearsoldbynow.”

SomywifeandIvisitedthehomewheretheboylived.Infact,wetalkedtothedoctorwhowastheheadoftheinstitution.Hesent forthisboy,buthetoldus,“Nowyou’llbeshockedwhenyou see him.When you last saw him, he was probably aboutnineortenyearsold.Isthatright?”Isaid,“Yes,that’sright.”

Hesaid, “Yousee, insteadofprogressing,hehas regressed,

sohe’snotasbigasheusedtobe.He’snotevenasbigasasix-year-oldchild.Nowhe’saboutthesizeofafive-year-oldchild.”

When the attendant finally brought the child in to see us, Iwouldn’t have recognized him except that the doctor haddescribed him to me. I was shocked. I had known the childpersonally, so I tried to talk tohimandget through tohim toseeifhe’dknowme,buthedidn’t. Itwaspitiful toseehiminthatcondition.Thisdoctorasked,“Doyouknowthisboy’sfamily?”

“Yes,”Isaid.

“Areyouplanningonseeingthem?”thedoctorasked.“Yes.Theyliveinmyhometown,andmywifeandIaregoingthereafterweattendaconvention.”

Thenthedoctorsaid,“Well,tellthemthatiftheywanttoseehimalive,they’dbettercomeovertoseehimnow.He’llnotbealive much longer. He could be gone within a month or sixweeks.”

Aftertheconvention,mywifeandIwenttomyhometowntovisitmyrelatives.Weweredrivingdownthestreet,andIsawthisboy’sdaddy.Hewasonlythirty-sevenyearsoldatthetime,buthewaslivinginsin,hisbodywaseatenupwithdisease,andhelookedlikeanoldman.Whenhegotcloseenoughtous,mywifesaid,“Isn’tthatSo-and-so?”

Ilookedathimandsaid,“Yes,Ibelieveitis.”

We stood there andwatched thismanwalkdown the streettowardus.Wecouldtellbythewayhewasactingthathecouldhardlysee,butwhenhefinallygotupclosetous,herecognizedme.Unashamedlyrightoutonthemainstreetinthecourthousesquare,heholleredout,“Ken!Oh,Ken!”Heaskedme,“Doyouknowwheremyboy is?Doyouknowwheremyboyis?”

I said, “Yes, I know where he is.” And I told him what thedoctorhadtoldme.

He began to cry andmoan right out there on the street inbroaddaylight.“Oh!Oh!Isn’ttheresomethingIcandotohelpmyboy?”I said, “No, no. There is nothing you candonow.You couldhavedonesomethingbefore.ItalkedtoyoumanytimesaboutrepentingandgettingrightwiththeLord,butyousaidno.OverandoveragainyourefusedtogiveyourhearttotheLordandgetsaved.”

Youtalkabouthell!Youtalkabouteternaltorment!Thatmankept rejecting Jesus Christ, and finally the door of salvationclosedonhim.ButheclosedthedoorofsalvationonhimselfbyrefusingtoacceptJesusChristashisSavior.

Whateverhappenedtohim?IheardthathediedcursingGod.ThedoorofsalvationclosedonhimbecauseherejectedJesus.Neglected opportunities bring regret. And when the lostopportunityissalvation,theregretlastsforever.

JesusShutstheDoorofOpportunityTheBibleteachesusthatoneofthedoorsJesusshutsisthedoorofopportunity.Forexample,theparableofthetenvirginsisaparableaboutlostopportunity.Inthisparable,theKingdomofGod is likenedtoamarriage.Tenvirginsaregoing forth tomeetJesus,theBridegroom.

Thecrywentout:“...Behold,thebridegroomcometh;goyeouttomeethim” (Matt.25:6).Eachoneofthetenvirginshadthesameopportunity.Eachofthemhadalamptoburnoil.Eachone of them was waiting in anticipation for the Bridegroom.TheywereeachcalledtogoouttomeettheBridegroom.ButtheBiblesaysthatfiveofthevirginswereready;theyhadextraoilsotheycouldgooutandmeettheBridegroom.Fiveofthevirginsdidn’tbothertogetextraoilfortheirlamps,sotheywerenotpreparedtomeetHimwhenHecame.

Thecrycameatmidnight:“Behold,theBridegroomcometh.”All the virgins arose to trim their lamps, but the five foolishvirginsdidn’thaveenoughoilfortheirlamps.Theywenttobuyoil, butwhen they got back, the Bible said that the doorwasshut.

MATTHEW25:6–136Andatmidnighttherewasacrymade,BEHOLD,THEBRIDEGROOMCOMETH;goyeouttomeethim.7Thenallthosevirginsarose,andtrimmedtheirlamps.8Andthefoolishsaiduntothewise,Giveusofyouroil;forourlampsaregoneout.9Butthewiseanswered,saying,Notso;lesttherebenotenoughforusandyou:butgoyerathertothemthatsell,andbuyforyourselves.10Andwhiletheywenttobuy,thebridegroomcame;andtheythatwerereadywentinwithhimtothemarriage:andTHEDOORWASSHUT.11Afterwardcamealsotheothervirgins,saying,Lord,Lord,OPENTOUS.12Butheansweredandsaid,VerilyIsayuntoyou,Iknowyounot.13Watch therefore, for yeknowneither thedaynor thehourwhereintheSonofmancometh.

Remember that a parable is like a story—it has one centraltruthormoraltoteachus.

Inanyparable,findouttheonecentraltruthorthoughtthatJesus wants to get over to us. Then don’t add to it or buildanythingonit.

Therefore, what is the moral of this parable about the tenvirgins? Jesus is telling us, the Church, to be prepared like abrideispreparedforthecomingofthebridegroom.Beready!Ifyouaren’tready,getready.Otherwise,thedoorofopportunitywillbeshut.Don’ttrytobuildanythingelseonthatonecentralthought.

Howdoyougetready?Ifyou’veneverbeenbornagain,getsaved.Accept Jesus intoyourheart soyoucanbebornagain.Then once you are saved, stay ready.Walk in fellowship withGod.WalkinthelightofHisWord.Thesefivevirginswhowerereadywentin,andthedoorwasshut. In themeantime, the other fivewent to get oil for theirvessels,butitwastoolate.Thedoorhadbeenshut.

Thethoughthereisthatthedoorofopportunitywillonedaybeclosed.Nowyoucanpreach this to sinnersbecause this istrue. They can sin away their day of grace. The door ofopportunitytobesavedwillonedaybeclosed,forthedoorofsalvationwillfinallyonedaybeshut.

OnceJesusshutsthedoor,nomancanopenit.Sobereadytomeet Jesusbecause thedoorofopportunitywillnotalwaysbeopen.The same thing is true in life. If a door of opportunity isopened, but you don’t enter in through that door, it willeventuallybeclosedtoyou.

Even in the natural,we regret itwhen doors of opportunityclose in our lives, don’t we? Neglected opportunities bringregret.

For example, many people have had an opportunity to docertain things in life,but they flubbedtheiropportunity.Somenever had another chance, and they lived to regret it for therestoftheirlives.My friend, how much more will neglected spiritualopportunitiesbringregret,notonlyinthis life,butthroughoutallofeternity!

In the Bible, we can see examples of peoplewho neglectedtheiropportunities.

For example, in the days of the New Testament, God waspouringoutHisSpiritontheEarlyChurch.Rightinthemidstofthat wonderful outpouring were two people by the name ofAnanias and Sapphira. Theywere right in themiddle ofwhatGodwasdoing,yet theymissedoutonthemoveofGod.Theymissedtheiropportunity!Itwasn’tGod’s fault thatAnaniasandSapphiramissedtheiropportunity. Theymissed it through sin andwrongdoing (Acts

5:1-10).Butthisshowsusanimportanttruth.

Youcanberight inthemidstofwhatGod isdoingandmissthe whole thing. How can that be possible? Because sin willalwayscauseyoutomissthemark.Also,justgettingtoobusyintheaffairsof lifeandnot spendingenough timewithGodcancauseyoutomisswhatGodwantstodoinyourlife.You’vegot tohaveyourheartandmindopen toGodsoyouknow what He has planned for you. If you’ve got your mindclosed and your spiritual ears shut, you can miss God’sopportunities for you. It’sbetter tokeepyourmouth shutandyourearsopen!

Yousee, theBiblesays,“. . . leteverymanbeswift tohear,slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). Most Christianspractice that in reverse.Theyarequick towrathandquick totalk,butslowtohear.That’snotwhatGodsaid.Hesaidtobeswifttohearandslowtospeak.

IfoundoutwhenIwasjustateenagerthatgenerallythelessyoutalk,thelessyouhavetorepentof.AndIfoundoutearlyinlife that you can learnawhole lotmoreby listening than youcanbytalking.SokeepyourspiritualearsopentoGodandHisWord!Don’tlet your doors of opportunities close on you—enter intoeverythingthatGodhasprovidedforyou!

MovewithGodwhiledoorsofopportunitiesareopen.Andifyou are not ready to meet Jesus, then while the door ofopportunity is still open, get yourself ready! Walk in closefellowshipwithHim.

Eachoneofushasthesameopendoorofopportunitysowecanprepare ourselves tobe ready tomeet Jesus!But thedaywillcomewhenwewon’thavetimetogetready.Itwillbetoolate;thedoorofopportunitywillalreadybeshut.TheBibleteachesthatthedoorofopportunitywillonedaybeclosed. For example, if a person keeps rejecting the salvationthat Jesus has already provided for him, one day the gates ofhellwillclangshutbehindhim,and itwillbetoo late for thatpoorlostsoul.

Don’tMissYourDoorsofOpportunityJesusHimselfgivesustheaccountinthemostminutedetailof amanwho suffereda lost opportunity thatwill last for therestofeternity.InLuke16,Jesussaidthattherewasacertainrichmanwhowaiteduntil itwastoolate.Finally,thedoorsofopportunitywereclosedonhim.

LUKE16:19–2619Therewasacertainrichman,whichwasclothedinpurpleandfinelinen,andfaredsumptuouslyeveryday:

20AndtherewasacertainbeggarnamedLazarus,whichwaslaidathisgate,fullofsores,21Anddesiringtobefedwiththecrumbswhichfellfromtherichman’stable:moreoverthedogscameandlickedhissores.22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, andwas carried by theangelsintoAbraham’sbosom:therichmanalsodied,andwasburied;23 And IN HELL HE LIFT UP HIS EYES, BEING IN TORMENTS, andseethAbrahamafaroff,andLazarusinhisbosom.24Andhecriedandsaid,FatherAbraham,havemercyonme,andsendLazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool mytongue;FORIAMTORMENTEDINTHISFLAME.25ButAbrahamsaid,Son,rememberthatthouinthylifetimereceivedstthy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now HE ISCOMFORTED,andTHOUARTTORMENTED.26And beside all this, betweenus and youTHERE ISAGREATGULFFIXED:sothattheywhichwouldpassfromhencetoyoucannot;neithercantheypasstous,thatwouldcomefromthence.

Actually, this is not aparablebecause Jesus said, “a certainrich man” and “a certain beggar named Lazarus” (vv. 19,20).Evidently,HehadactualpeopleinmindwhenHesaidthat.Inthisaccount,Jesusdescribesthetormentsofhell,includingthefiresofhellthattormentedthisrichman.Therichmansaid,“. . . I am tormented in this flame.” So from this account,weknow that there are fires of hell that torment lost souls foreternity.

Jesus also explained that there was “a great gulf fixed,” sothat those in hell could not escape. Hell is the place oftorments.ThosewhowereinhellcouldnotcrossoverandenterintoAbraham’sBosomorparadise.

Whofixedthatgulf?Goddid.Godshutthedoor,sotospeak,“. . .sothattheywhichwouldpassfromhencetoyoucannot;neithercan theypass tous, thatwouldcome from thence” (v.26).In other words, God shut the door so those in the place oftormentscouldnotcrossoverintoAbraham’sBosom.Andthosein Abraham’s Bosom—the place of comfort—could not crossoverintohell.

Yousee,myfriend,onceasinnerrejectsJesusandthegatesofhellclangshutonhispoorlostsoul,itistoolate.Thatmeansyouarenot going tobe able to pray someoneout of hell intoparadise. Once those gates of hell have clanged shut onsomeone,heisforeverlost.

Thatought tobeenough tomakea soulwinnerout of everyoneofus!ThereisaHeaventogainandahelltoshun.Weareallgoingto leavethisearthoneofthesedays,andwearetheoneswhochooseoureternalabode.And whether we like it or not, we are either going by theroute of death orwe are going by theRapture of theChurchwhen Jesus comes and the trumpet ofGod is sounded (1Cor.15:52;1Thess.4:16).

Thosewho are saved are going to depart to bewithChrist.ThosewhoarenotinChristaregoingdownintothatdarkplaceoftorments.Thechoiceisuptoeachperson.

TheBiblesays,“...chooseyouthisdaywhomyewillserve...”(Joshua24:15).Therefore,thechoiceisyours.Thedoorofopportunityisopenforeachpersontochoosehisowndestiny.Eachpersonhasthepowertochoosetheplaceofhiseternalabode.HecanchooseHeavenorhell.

DEUTERONOMY30:1919Icallheavenandearthtorecordthisdayagainstyou,thatIhavesetbeforeyoulifeanddeath,blessingandcursing:therefore[you]chooselife,thatboththouandthyseedmaylive.

God Himself said, “You choose between life and death,blessingandcursing.Youmakethechoice.”Yousee,ifapersonrefusestobesavedbyacceptingJesusashisSavior,thedaywilleventuallycomewhenthedoorofsalvationwillbeshutforever.Many people in this life are full of frivolity and foolishnessabout the things ofGod. They are ready to poke fun at thosewho believe the Bible. Some would even tell us that hell isoutdatedandoutmodedandthatitdoesn’texist.ButIwanttotellyouthat theLordJesusChrist taught thatHell isrealandHeavenisreal(Matt.10:28;18:3).

ThereisahelltoshunandaHeaventogain!Oh,yes,inthemidstofthephysicalvigorandstrengthofthislife,itiseasytomake fun of the things of God. It is easy to be frivolous andfoolishandnottakeeternalthingsseriously.

But it is another story when you come to the end of life’sjourneyandhavetocrossovertotheothersideandenterintothatdarkplacetodwellinaneternalhellwithoutGod.I rememberwhen Iwas lyingon thebedof sickness,a ladyused to come to visit my grandma. I was living with mygrandparents at the time.One eveningGranny and this otherwomanwerevisiting inmyroom.Thiswomanwasaboutsixtyyearsofageatthetime.

NowthesubjectofGodorHisWordwasonethingyoudidn’ttalkaboutwhenthiswomanwasintheroom.Shewasadverseto those things. In fact, she was so violently opposed to thethings of God, that she would fly into a rage when God, theBible, or church were mentioned. That day, some way oranother,theconversationworkedaroundtothethingsofGod.Ihadn’tsaidaword,becauseIdidn’twanttogetherstartedonone of her tirades. I knew she would just start ranting andravingifyoutalkedaboutGod.

But somehow or another we touched on the subject of theBible,andshestartedranting,“Oh,there’snothingtotheBible!It’sjustahoaxthat’sbeenpropagatedbyman.

“I’lltellyou!We’dbebetteroffhereinAmericaiftheywouldjustbombeverychurchandkilleverypreacher.Preachersarejust out for money, and they tell big tales and make out likethereisahelljusttoscarepeoplesotheycangettheirmoney!”

Sherantedandraved,“Why,whenyoudie,you’re justdeadlikeadog,andthat’stheendofit!”MommaknewthiskindoftalkwouldupsetmebecauseIwasso sickanyway, so shegot thiswomanoff onanother subject.This woman was all right until she would get on that onesubject,andthenshewouldjustgettoraving.

Twelve years later, my wife and I were out in evangelisticwork. It was during World War II, and we stopped by myhometowntovisitsomeofourrelatives.

Mommasaidtome,“Son,gobyandvisit(andshecalledthiswoman’sname).Payourrespects toher familybecauseshe isrightatthepointofdeath.”Iagreedtogo.SoonafterthatmywifeandItraveledtothiscitywherethiswomanlived.Werangthedoorbell,andthiswoman’sdaughtercame to the door. I recognized her right away even though ithadbeenallthoseyearssinceI’dseenher.

ItoldherwhoIwas,andshesaid,“Oh,yes,you’reLilly’sboy,theonewhobecameapreacher.”

Isaid,“Yes,that’sme,”andIintroducedmywifetoher.Sheshookhandswithus,andthenshesaid,“Ken,Momma’snotdoingwell.Thedoctorjustleft.Mommaisinadeepcoma,andthedoctorsaidshewillneverregainconsciousness;she’lljustdie.

“YouknowhowMommafeltaboutthechurchandaboutGodandtheBible.Butpleasesee ifyoucantalktoherbeforeshedies.”

I agreed to try to talk toher, and thedaughter ledmywifeandIacrossthelivingroomintoabedroomwherethiswomanlaydeepinacoma.Aswewentintothebedroom,wesawthiswoman,nowaboutseventy-twoyearsoldlyingonabed.Hermouthwasopen,andhereyesweresetindeath—fixedwideopenandjustasglassyasmarbles.Youcouldhearthedeathrattleinherthroat.

Her daughter said to her, “Momma!” Therewas no answer,just the labored breathing and that rattle in her throat. Shecalled again louder, “Momma!” Again, there was no answer.Thoseeyesneverflickered,thatmouthnevermoved,thatdeathrattleneverstoppedinherthroat.

Thedaughtercalledagainlouder,“Momma!”thensheshook

her to try together torespond.Thoseeyesnevermoved,butsomewhere fromdown inside her, a voice came out fromwaydowndeepinsideherthroatsomewhere,“Yeah.”

Thedaughtersaidagain,“Momma,doyouknowme?”“Yeah,it’smybaby.It’smybaby.”Thisdaughterwastheonlylivingchildshehadleft.

Thedaughtersaid,“Momma,doyourememberLillyandherson, Ken,whowas on the bed of sickness?He’s the onewhobecameapreacher.”

When she said that, it snapped that old woman out of thatstupor.Hereyesneverchanged;theywerestillwideopenandlookedlikemarbles.Theynevermoved,butsuddenly,sheroseup, and said, “Ken! Ken! Ken! Where are you?” She couldn’tsee.Shesaid,“Givemeyourhand!”I took her hand in mine, and she said, “Oh, Ken! You’re apreacher.Tellmethereisnohell!TellmewhenIdie,I’mdeadlikeadog.Oh, it’ssodark,and I’mafraid togo. I’mafraid togo!I’msoafraidtogo.”AndbeforeIcouldsayonewordtoher,shefellbackonthepillowanddiedwithoutGod.

Now all thesemany years later—almost fifty years later—aswegoaboutourdailylives,sheisinthatregionofdarknessandofthedamned,cryingforlight—cryingforGod.

Todayaswequenchourthirstwithacoldglassofwater,forallthesemanyyearsshehasbeencryingout,“Water!Water!”Somepeopleargueandfussaboutwhetherornotthereisaliteralfireinhell.Theysay,“Well,I’mnotconvincedaboutthefireandalltheeternalpunishmentofhell.”

ButIbelievethereisaliteralfireinhellandeternaltormentbecause the Bible says so (Rev. 20:14). Jesus Himself talkedabout a literal fire in hell that is eternal (Matt. 5:22; 13:42;Mark9:43–47).

And in this passage we just read about the rich man andLazarus inLuke16:24, Jesus said therewas fire inhell. Jesusrelated that the rich man said, “. . . I am tormented in thisflame.”Butinanothersense,whetherthereisafireinhellornotisunimportant.TherewillbeenoughtormentinhellforalostsoultospendaneternityregrettingthefactthathemissedHeavenandthathellishiseternalabode.

The punishment of eternal separation from God and theregret and the conscious knowing that he’d missed Heaven—wouldbepunishmentenough.

Perhaps there issomeonereadingthiswho isnotsaved.My

friend,ifyouareunsaved,andifyoudon’tacceptJesus,youwillbe lost.And throughout eternity youaregoing to cry out andregretthatyoudidn’tgiveyourhearttotheLord.

TheBiblesaystherewillbeweeping,wailing,andgnashingofteethinhell(Matt.25:30).IneternityitwillbeatormenttotheunsavedthatJesuswantedtosavethem,buttheywouldn’t letHim.I pray that if you have never walked through the door ofsalvation JesusChrist has provided for you, youwould acceptthesalvationthatHeissofreelyofferingforyou.

Ifyou’veneverbeenbornagain,youcanexperiencethenewbirth. You need to know the Lord Jesus Christ personally,becausethereisaHeaventogainandahelltoshun!

And if you are like the prodigal son, and were once in theFather’shousebutleftandwentoutintothepracticeofsinandwrongdoing, youneed to knowyou can comebackhome.Youcanget back into fellowshipwithGod. You can say, “Father, IhavesinnedagainstYou.Pleaseforgiveme”(Luke15:11–32).So walk through the door of salvation that the Lord JesusChristhaspreparedforyouandbeginenjoyingthebenefitsthatsalvationprovides.

And if you are already saved because you have walkedthrough that door of salvation, you can experience everythingthatGodhasforyouthatisincludedinyoursalvation—healing,health,deliverance,soundness,andwholeness!

Chapter3

JesusOpenstheDooroftheHeart

Anotherdoor theLordopens forus is thedoorof theheart.Wecanseeanexampleof that inActs16.Youremember thatPaul and his company had attempted to go into Bithynia. ButtheScripturesaysthattheSpiritforbadethem(Acts16:7).

Theninavisioninthenighttime,amanstoodbeforePaulandsaid,“...ComeoverintoMacedonia,andhelpus”(Acts16:9).Therefore,thedisciplesbelievedthatGodwasleadingthemtogointoMacedonia.

Atthattime,thegospelhadonlybeenpreachedrightaroundthatvicinity,whichtodaywecallAsiaMinor.IthadnotspreadintothewholeregionofAsia,norhaditspreadintoEurope.

SoPaulandhiscompanywentintothecontinentofEuropetoMacedonia and Philippi. In Philippi on the Sabbath day, theapostleswereattheriversidewherethepeoplewereholdingaprayermeeting.TheBibletalksaboutonewomaninparticularwhosehearttheLordopenedtoreceivethegospel.

TheWordOpensPeople’sHeartsWe can learn something from this passage about how God

openspeople’sheartstoreceiveHisWord.ACTS16:13–1413 And on the sabbathwewent out of the city by a river side, whereprayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto thewomenwhichresortedthither.14AndACERTAINWOMANnamedLydia,asellerofpurple,ofthecityofThyatira,whichworshippedGod,heardus:WHOSEHEARTTHELORDOPENED,thatsheattendeduntothethingswhichwerespokenofPaul.

Iwantyou tonotice thatphrase,“. . . a certainwoman . . .whosehearttheLordopened....”HowdoesGodopenpeople’shearts?

Godopenspeople’sheartswithHisWord.WhentheWordispreached,itwillopenpeople’sheartsiftheywilllistentoitandbe receptive to it. But if they reject the truth of theWord, itwon’thavefreecourseintheirhearts.

And,forexample,ifpeoplecontinuallyrejectthetruthoftheWordabout salvation, theywillgo intoeternaldarknesswhentheydie.

MARK16:15–1615Andhesaidunto them,Goye intoall theworld,andPREACHTHEGOSPEL[theWord]TOEVERYCREATURE.16 He that BELIEVETH and is baptized shall be saved; but he thatBELIEVETHNOTshallbedamned.

Pauldidwhatthisversesaid—hepreachedtheWordofGodtothese folks so they couldbelieve the truth of the gospel. ThepeoplewholistenedthatdayhadthechoicetoacceptorrejecttheWordthatPaulpreached.

Maybe others were gathered at the riverside that day withLydiawhodidnotallowtheWord tohave freecourse in theirminds and hearts. We don’t know for sure because the Bibledoesn’tcommentonit.

Wedon’tknowhowmanypeoplewerethere,butwedoknowthat Lydia chose to allow the Word entrance into her heart.Lydia’s heart was opened because she had an open mind towhatsheheard.

You see,we each have awill of our own.We can choose toclosethedoorofourheartortoopenit.

Therefore,inonesensethemindisthedoortotheheart.Thisisexactlywhat theBiblesays.Whenyourmind isnot open tothetruthofGod’sWord,yourheartishinderedfromreceiving.

2CORINTHIANS4:44Inwhomthegodof thisworldHATHBLINDEDTHEMINDSof themwhichBELIEVENOT,lestthelightofthegloriousgospelofChrist,whoistheimageofGod,shouldshineuntothem.

2CORINTHIANS3:14–1514ButTHEIRMINDSWEREBLINDED:foruntilthisdayremaineththesameveiluntakenawayinthereadingoftheoldtestament;whichveilisdoneawayinChrist.15But even unto this day, whenMoses is read, the veil is upon theirHEART.

Yousee,theBiblereferstotherelationshipbetweenthemindandtheheart.Whenaperson’smindisclosed,itishardforhimtobelievethetruthofGod’sWordinhisheart.

Soontheonehand,itwastheWordthatopenedthedoorofLydia’s heart. But on the other hand, she had to accept theWord thatwaspreached.Lydiahad tohave amindandheartreceptivetotheWordthatwaspreached.Thenbyanactofherwill,shehadtoaccepttheLordJesusChristintoherheart.

Yousee,JesusHimselfdeclaredthatHestandsatthedoorofaperson’sheart.Hesaid,“Behold,ISTANDATTHEDOOR,andKNOCK:ifanymanHEARMYVOICE,andOPENTHEDOOR,Iwill come in to him, and will sup with him, and he withme”(Rev.3:20).

It is Jesus’ responsibility to standat thedoorof eachman’sheart and do the knocking. Jesus always fulfills Hisresponsibilitytoopenaperson’sheart.Hestandsatthedooroftheheartandknocks.ThenthepersonmustyieldandopenthedoortoJesusandHisWord.

Therefore,it’snotjustGod’sWordworkingalonethatopensaperson’sheart.ManworksincooperationwithGodbyyielding

toGod’sWord.

Jesusstandsatthedoorofaperson’sheart,butthenapersonhastoopenhismindtohearwhatJesushastosay—HisWord.

But it is each person’s responsibilitywhether or not hewillrespond and open the door of his heart to receive Jesus. If apersonwillrespondtoJesus,JesuswillcomeandliveinsidehisheartandunveiltheWordtohim.

That’swhathappenedwiththiswoman,Lydia.Goddidn’tjustsingleheroutandsay, “I’mgoing toopen thiswoman’sheartandcloseeveryoneelse’sheart.”

Jesus stood at the door of her heart and knocked as PaulpreachedtheWord.ButthenLydiadidsomethingaboutit!ShereceivedthetruthoftheWord.

Ifpeopleweretherethatdaywhodidnotacceptthetruthofthegospel,theyclosedtheirownheartsbyclosingtheirmindstothegospel—theychosenottohearandreceivetheWord.

ButGodwasabletoopenthiswoman’sheartwiththeWordbecausehermindwasopenedtothetruthPaulpreached,andsheyieldedtotheWordthatwaspreached.

SoyoucanseethatiftheWordofGodcanfindentranceintopeople’shearts,theycanbesavedandhelped.

GodRespondstoOpenHeartsThere is also a side thought here that is very interesting.

Some folksareopposed towomenhavinganything todowithpreachingthegospel.Somethinkthatmenaresupposedtodoitall,andthatwomenshouldjustbeinthebackgroundwhenitcomestothegospel.

But did you ever stop to think that the first person whoseheart the Lord opened on the continent of Europe was thiswoman, Lydia. And after Lydiawas saved, theBible says thatthedisciplesfellowshippedwithLydiaandherhousehold.

ACTS16:1515 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us,saying, If ye have judgedme to be faithful to the Lord, come intomyhouse,andabidethere.Andsheconstrainedus.

And, of course, because of the salvations that occurred atPhilippi, a church was established in that city. Then othersopened theirhearts to the truthof thegospelaswell. In fact,we have a letter—the Book of Philippians—written by Paul totheBodyofChristinthatarea.

Also,JesussentawomantobethefirstonetotellaboutHisresurrection.God sent an angel to tellMary, “. . . go quickly,andtellhisdisciplesthatheisrisenfromthedead...”(Matt.28:7).Therefore,Marywasthefirstpreacherofthegoodnews

ofJesus’resurrectiontothedisciples.

Well, thankGodforopen,receptiveheartstoGod’spreciousholyWord.ThankGodforwomenwhoseheartsareopentotheWord!Godwilluseanyonewhoseheartisopentothetruthofthegospel.

WhywasLydia’sheart openandotherpeople’sheartswerenotopenorreceptive? It’s likesomeoneoncesaid,“Thesamesunthatmeltswaxwillhardenclay.”

Inotherwords,thesamegospelthatwillopensomepeople’shearts will shut the hearts of others because they refuse toacceptthetruththeyarehearing.ItisnotGod’sfaultthatsomepeoplepersist inkeepingtheirmindsandheartsclosedto thetruth theyhearanymore than it is the sun’s fault formeltingwaxorhardeningclay.

Therefore, is all the responsibility on God to open people’shearts? No. That’s exactly what the Bible is talking about inRevelation3:20. Jesus stands at thedoor of eachman’s heartandknocks.TheBible says,“. . .whosoeverwill, let him takethewateroflifefreely”(Rev.22:17).

Eachpersonmustdecide forhimselfwhathe isgoing todoaboutacceptingJesus.First,eachpersonhastheresponsibilitytohearGod’svoice(Rev.3:20).Second,hemustopenhismindto the truth he is hearing. Finally, hemust respond or act onthattruthbyopeningthedoorofhisheart.

NowsomepeopletrytosaythatGodhasforeordainedsomepeopletogetsaved,butnotothers.Theyreadcertainscripturesoutofcontextandtrytobuilddoctrineonthem.Butyoucan’tbuilddoctrineonscripturestakenoutofcontext.

For example, folks read Exodus 7:3 where God said, “I willhardenPharaoh’sheart,”andtheyaccusetheLordofhardeningPharoah’s heart. They blame God for Pharoah’s hard heart,sayingitwasimpossibleforPharoahtoobeyGod.

However, you cannot take this one verse out of context andtrytobuildsomekindofdoctrinethatputsalltheresponsibilityon God for people’s salvation. This verse alone taken out ofcontextviolatesotherScripture that saysGodwantseveryonetobesaved.

2PETER3:99 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men countslackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANYSHOULDPERISH,butthatALLSHOULDCOMETOREPENTANCE.

Interpreting Exodus 7:3 literally and out of context, “I willharden Pharoah’s heart” does not agree with the teaching oftherestoftheBible.

Therefore,youcannotmaketheabsolutestatementthatGod

hardenedPharoah’sheart.Inotherwords,youcan’tmakeGodtheoneresponsibleforwhetherornotapersonopensorcloseshishearttoGod.

ThatwouldbetantamounttosayingthatbyanactofHiswill,God made Pharoah’s heart hard so it was impossible forPharoahtoobeyGod!That’snotthejustandlovingGodthatwereadaboutthroughouttheBible!

No, you see, God gave Pharoah a choice, just as He givesevery person the choice to obey Him. Pharoah could havechosentodoGod’swill,butPharoah’scharacterdeterminedhischoice. Inotherwords,Pharoahchose first tohardenhisownheart.

AndtheBiblespecificallysaysinvariousplacesthatPharoahhardened his own heart (Exod. 8:15,32; 9:34; See also Exod.7:22;8:19;13:15).

Letmegobackagain to the thought that thesamesunthatmeltsthewax,hardenstheclay.Yousee,GodextendsHisloveandmercytoeveryone.

Butthesamegospel,thesametruths,andthesamesunshineofGod’sloveandmercythatmeltsreceptiveheartsandopensthemtothegospelwillbetheverythingthatotherswillhardentheirheartsagainst.

So is thesun toblame? Is the loveofGod toblame? IsGodHimself to blame? No. The individual person is to blame. Hecould chooseGod. That’swhy it is so important to always beresponsivetoGod.PeopleneedtomakesuretheyhaveamindandheartthatisopentoGodtodoHiswill.

AttendtoGod’sWordWhat canpeopledo to allow theWord to find entrance into

theirhearts?ReadActs16:14again.ThereasonGodwasabletogetintoLydia’sheartwasthat“...sheATTENDEDuntothethingswhichwerespokenofPaul.”

Whatdoes itmeanwhen theBiblesaysLydiaattendeduntothe words which were spoken by Paul? The word “attended”meanstolisten,tohear,andtoheed.

When you think about it from the natural standpoint, therewasagroupofpeopleattheriversidethatdaywhoalsoheardthe sound of Paul’s voice. But all of them did not necessarilyattenduntohiswords.

Lydia not only listened to the Word that Paul and Silaspreached,butshehearditwithanopenmindandheart.Thenshegaveheedtowhatsheheard.

Well, howdoweuse theword “attend” today?Suppose you

werewalkingdownthestreetandafriendsawyou.Thepersoncalledtoyou,“Say,waitaminute!Iwanttotalktoyou.”

But you had an important engagement, so you answered,“Sorry,Ican’ttalkrightnow.I’vegotsomethingImustattendto.” That just means you’ve got something else you must putfirstbecauseitismoreimportant.

Therefore, when the Bible says Lydia attended unto Paul’swords,itsimplymeanssheputeverythingelseasideandgaveherfullattentiontowhatPaulwassaying.SheheardthewordsPaulspoke,notjustwithherhead,butwithherheart.Thenshegaveheedtothethingssheheard.

I’m convinced that if people will give their attention to thegospelandto theWordpreached,Godwillbeable toget intotheirhearts.ThatisthewayHeopensthedooroftheheart.Itis through the gospel and through the Word of God that’spreached.AndGodwill open thedoorof everyperson’sheartwhowillletHim!

GodOpenstheEyesofOurHeartToUnderstandtheWord

Many times people say, “I just can’t understand the Word.”But God opens the door of people’s hearts so they canunderstandtheWord.

Forexample, let’s lookatsomethingthathappenedaftertheresurrection.MaryMagdalene,Joanna,andsomeofthewomenwho had ministered to Jesus came to the sepulchre that firstEastermorning.

They saw the empty grave, and two angels spoke to themsaying,“Heisnothere,butisrisen...”(Luke24:6).Thenthewomenwenttotellthedisciplesthegoodnews.

LUKE24:9–119...[thewomen]returnedfromthesepulchre,andtoldallthesethingsuntotheeleven,andtoalltherest.10ItwasMaryMagdalene,andJoanna,andMarythemotherofJames,and otherwomen thatwerewith them,WHICHTOLDTHESETHINGSUNTOTHEAPOSTLES.11AndTHEIRWORDSSEEMEDTOTHEMAS IDLETALES,andTHEYBELIEVEDTHEMNOT.

Thedisciplesdidn’tbelievethewomen’sreportthatJesuswasalive. Their words seemed as “idle tales” to the disciplesbecause the eyes of their hearts were not yet opened orenlightenedbytheWord.Godhadtoopentheirunderstandingsotheycouldcomprehendtheeventsthathadjusttranspired.

You see, theWord ofGod is a sealedBook tomany people.That’swhy even someChristians say, “I just can’t understandtheBible.”

We find an example of twomen in the Bible whowere like

that until Jesus opened the eyes of their understanding byopeningthetruthoftheWordtothem.

ThesetwomenwalkedalongtheroadtoEmmausonthatfirstEaster day so long ago. Suddenly a stranger came along andjoinedHimselfwiththem.

Hebegantoquestionthemaboutwhattheywerediscussing.TheysaidtoHim,“YoumustbeastrangerinJerusalem.Don’tyouknowwhat’sbeenhappening?”

LUKE24:13–21,25–27,30–3213 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village calledEmmaus,whichwasfromJerusalemaboutthreescorefurlongs.14Andtheytalkedtogetherofallthesethingswhichhadhappened.15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together andreasoned,Jesushimselfdrewnear,andwentwiththem.16ButTHEIREYESWEREHOLDENthattheyshouldnotKNOWHIM.17Andhesaidunto them,Whatmannerofcommunicationsare thesethatyehaveonetoanother,asyewalk,andaresad?18And theoneof them . . . answeringsaiduntohim,Art thouonlyastrangerinJerusalem,andhastnotknownthethingswhicharecometopassthereinthesedays?19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him,ConcerningJesusofNazareth,whichwasaprophetmightyindeedandwordbeforeGodandallthepeople:20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to becondemnedtodeath,andhavecrucifiedhim.21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemedIsrael:andbesideallthis,todayisthethirddaysincethesethingsweredone....

25Thenhesaiduntothem,Ofools,andSLOWOFHEARTTOBELIEVEallthattheprophetshavespoken:26OughtnotChristtohavesufferedthesethings,andtoenterintohisglory?27AndbeginningatMosesandalltheprophets,HEEXPOUNDEDUNTOTHEMINALLTHESCRIPTURESthethingsconcerninghimself....

30 And it came to pass, as he [Jesus] sat atmeatwith them, he tookbread,andblessedit,andbrake,andgavetothem.31 And THEIR EYES WERE OPENED, and THEY KNEW HIM; and hevanishedoutoftheirsight.32Andtheysaidonetoanother,DIDNOTOURHEARTBURNWITHINUS,whilehe talkedwithusby theway, andwhileHEOPENEDTOUSTHESCRIPTURES?

Jesus said that it was because the disciples were “slow ofheart” that their eyes were “holden” or spiritually closed sothey didn’t know Him. Well, how did Jesus get their spiritualeyesopenedorenlightened?

Heunveiled theWord to them!Heopened the truthsof theWord so they could seeHim in theScriptures. Verse 27 says,“And beginning atMoses and all the prophets, he expoundeduntotheminall thescripturesthethingsconcerninghimself.”Jesushad toopen theScriptures to these twodisciplesbeforetheycouldunderstandtheWord.

JesustheLivingWordopenedandrevealedthewrittenWordtothem.

ThesetwodiscipleswerereceptivetotheWord,soitgotinto

theirhearts.OncetheyreceivedtheWord“...theireyeswereopened, and they knew him.” The Word opened their eyes sotheycouldknowJesus!

You see, the eyes of their understanding had to be openedbeforetheycouldunderstandthetruthofGod’sWord.TheBiblesaidthatwhentheeyesoftheirheartswereopened,thentheyknewHim(v.31).

The psalmist of old said, “Open thoumine eyes, that Imaybeholdwondrousthingsoutofthylaw”(Ps.119:18).Ithinkwecouldparaphrasethatverselikethis:“OpenmyeyesthatImaybeholdwondroustruthsoutofthyWord.”

Thepsalmistdidn’tmean forGod toopenhisphysicaleyes;hewastalkingabouthisspiritualeyes.ButJesusdoesthesamething for us today.He opens the eyes of our heart sowe canbeholdwondroustruthsinGod’sWord!

You see, my friend, in order for this marvelous Book—theBible—tobeopenedtoyou,youhavetowalkwiththeMaster.That’sthereasontheBibleisaclosedBooktosomeChristians.Many of them are not walking with Jesus in close fellowship;theyarefollowingHimafaroff.

When you follow Jesus afar off, you can be “slow of heart”evenasthosediscipleswereontheroadtoEmmaus.

Butwhenbelieverswalkclosely to theLordandaskHim toopen their spiritual eyes, they can begin to see truths in theWordthey’veneverseenbefore.

Whenyoubecomeacquaintedwith JesusandyouknowHimpersonally, theBible is just different to you.When Iwasbornagain,theBiblebecamealivetome.Iwasraisedinchurch,andbeforeIwasbornagain,IthoughtIknewJesus.

Oh, I had joined the church like many folks. I was evenbaptized in water. But I went down under that water a drysinnerandIcameupawetsinner!TheBiblewasaclosedBooktome; Icouldn’tunderstand it.Theeyesofmyunderstandingweren’tenlightenedoropened.

I honestly thought you weren’t supposed to understand theBible. I thought no one but the preacher could understand it.ButthenIwasbornagainonApril22,1933,attwentyminutesto eight o’clock in the south bedroom of 405 North CollegeStreetinMcKinney,Texas.

OnceIwasbornagain,itwasablessingjusttoholdthatBibleinmyhandsandlookatit.ItseemedlikeIwasblessedforanhourjustbyreadingthewords,“HolyBible.”JustlookingattheBible, even the cover looked different because my heart wasopentothetruthofGod’sWord.

ThenIlookedontheinside,andIgotblessedjustbyreadingtheTableofContents.Why?BecauseIhadbecomeacquaintedwiththeAuthoroftheBook!

PraiseGod forevermore,He is the livingWord! Andwhen Igot acquainted with Jesus, He opened the eyes of myunderstanding!

You see, the written Word has been given to us to unveil,unfold,andrevealtheLivingWordtous—JesusChrist.

AndwhenwefellowshipwithJesusinHisWordwithsincerehearts, Jesus the LivingWord can reveal to us the Bible—thewrittenWord.

SoaswewalkinfellowshipwithJesus,whatcanwedotogetthe eyes of our understanding open to beholdwonders out ofGod’sWord?

Godgaveusaway!TheHolySpiritthroughtheApostlePaulgave us Spirit-anointed, Spirit-led prayers to pray so that theeyes of our understanding could be opened—not closed—butopenedtobeholdthetruthsinGod’sWord.

EPHESIANS1:17–1817ThattheGodofourLordJesusChrist,theFatherofglory,MAYGIVEUNTO YOU THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THEKNOWLEDGEOFHIM:18 The EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEING ENLIGHT-ENED [oropened];thatyemayknowwhatisthehopeofhiscalling,andwhattherichesofthegloryofhisinheritanceinthesaints.

IwantyoutonoticesomethingaboutthisprayerinEphesians1:17 and 18. First, the Holy Spirit through Paul instructedbelieverstoprayforthespiritofwisdomandrevelationintheknowledgeofHim.ThenGodtoldbelieverstoaskGodtoopentheeyesoftheirheartorunderstanding.

Yousee,oncetheeyesofyourunderstandingareopened,youwill know Jesus—not just knowaboutHimbutknowHim in adeepandpersonalway.

That’sexactlywhathappened to thosediscipleswhowalkedalong the road toEmmaus in Luke24:31 thatwe read about.Whentheeyesoftheirunderstandingwereopened,theyknewJesus!

WecouldalsotranslateEphesians1:18:“IpraythattheeyesofyourunderstandingareopenedtoseethehopeofHiscallingandtherichesofHisglorytoHissaints.”

Onetranslationsays,“Ipraythattheeyesofyourspiritmaybeenlightened.”This is talkingabout themanon the inside—yourspiritman—nottheoutwardman,whichisyourbodyandyourphysicaleyes.

ThisprayerwasgivenbytheSpiritofGodfortheChurchat

Ephesus.IfitisthewillofGodforthesaintsinEphesustopraythisprayertoenlightenoropentheirunderstanding,itmustbethewillofGodforsaintseverywheretopraythisprayertoo.

Youcanpraytheseprayersforyourself.Weneedtohavetheeyes of our understanding enlightened, or opened, to see andcomprehendthegloriousinheritanceGodhasforus.

InthelastchurchIpastored,IbeganprayingtheseprayersinEphesians for myself, particularly in the winter of 1947 and1948. I justsimplyspenta lotof time in thePresenceofGod,prayingtheseprayers.I’dalwaystalkedtoGodalot,especiallyin the nighttime. Through the years, I have done most of myprayinginthenighttime.

Weformspiritualhabitsjustlikewedonaturalhabits.WhenIwasbornagain,Iwasonthebedofsickness,soIcouldn’tgetupandgoanywheretopray.Ihadtoprayinbed,soIwouldtalktoGodconstantlyinthenighttime.

I would purposely wait until everyone got into bed at nightandallthelightswereout.ThenI’ddomypraying.

SeveralnightsIprayednearlyallnightlong.Andnearlyeverynight,I’dprayatleastanhourortwo,justtalkingtotheLord.

That’showIgotreallywell-acquaintedwithHim.Andthroughthe years, I’ve just spent a lot of time in the Presence of theLord. Then when I became a pastor, I still did a lot of myprayinginthenighttime.

I’dgetupandgoovertoprayinthechurchnextdoortotheparsonage. I’dwalkupanddown theaislesof thechurchandtalk to the Father. I kept my Bible in the church opened toEphesianschapters1and3.

AndmanytimesduringthedayasIwascarryingonmyotherpastoralduties,I’dgointothechurchandjustgetonmykneesand read these two prayers. I’d say to the Lord, “Lord, I’mprayingtheseprayersformyself.”

And when the Bible said, “I pray that the eyes of yourunderstandingbeenlightenedoropened,”Iwouldpray,“Ipraythattheeyesofmyunderstandingbeenlightenedoropened.”

ThenIwouldpray,“God,I’mprayingformyselfthatYou,theGodofourLordJesusChrist,theFatherofglory,maygiveuntome the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge ofYou.”

I’dseetoitthatIwentintothechurchatleastseveraltimesaday to pray theseprayers inEphesians formyself. Somedayswhen I wasn’t as busy, I spent several hours praying theseprayersformyself.

I just practiced that over a period of two or three months.

ThenonedayIwentintothechurchandknelttheretoprayasusual.IreadtheEphesiansprayersandsaid,“Lord,I’mprayingthis formyself.”TheLordspoketomeandsaid,“I’mgoingtotakeyouontorevelationsandvisions.”

First the revelations began to come. They came as a directresultofprayingtheseprayersformyself.Idon’tmeanstrangerevelations outside of God’s Word; I mean revelations in linewith theWord. I began to get revelation in the knowledge ofHimbecausetheeyesofmyunderstandingwerebeingopenedtothetruthoftheWord(Eph.1:16-23)!

I’dalwaysbeenverystudious.Manytimes,I’dreadallnightlong.NotjusttheBible,butotherspiritualbookstoo.Istudiedconstantly.

But when the eyes of my understanding were opened—theeyesofmyinnerman—IlearnedspiritualtruthssoquicklythatIsaidtomywife,“WhatintheworldhaveIbeenpreaching?”Ilearnedmoreabout theBibleandaboutGod insixmonthsbyrevelation than I’d learned in fourteen years of study andpreachingput together. Iquicklysawspiritual truths fromtheWord.Isaidtomywife,“I’vebeensostupidandignorant,itisawonderthedeaconsdidn’thavetocomebyandtellmetogetinoutoftherain!”

LettheLordBringHisWillToPassThishappenedinlate1947andonintothewinterof1948.I

stayedatthatchurchanotheryearuntilFebruary1949.ThenIwentout in the fieldministry.And inAugust1950Jesusagaintoldme,“I’mgoingtotakeyouontorevelationsandvisions.”

ItwasseveralyearsbeforeIexperiencedavisioneventhoughJesushadalreadyspokentomeaboutthis.Ididn’tjustjumpoutand try tomake something happen onmy own; I just letGodbringHisownwilltopassinthematterinHisowntiming.

You have to be very careful about what you think the Lordsays to you by the Holy Spirit. Don’t lean to your ownunderstandingand try toputyourown interpretationonwhatyouheard.

Also,don’ttrytomakeitcometopassyourself.Justwait,andifitisGodspeaking,Hewillbringittopass.IfHedoesn’t,theniteitherwasn’tHimorelseyouwerehopelesslyunfaithful.

Ithinkthat’soneproblemwehavetoday.I’msuresomefolksneverheardathingfromGod;theyjustimaginedtheLordtoldthem something.Ormaybe they ate toomuch for supper andhadawilddreamorsomething!

Ormaybe theywere like the fellowdown ineastTexaswhotoldthisstoryaboutmisinterpretingwhattheLordwassaying

tohim. Idon’tknow if thestory is trueornot,but itmakesagoodpoint.

Supposedlythisfellowwasoutplowing,buthewasn’tpayingattentiontowhathewasdoing,sohewasn’tgettingverymuchplowing done.Hewas justwhiling away his time.He said hesaw a sign in the sky. It said, “GP.” He put his owninterpretationonitandsaidGodwastellinghim,“Gopreach.”

Actually, he came to understand later that it meant, “Goplow!”HesaidGodwastryingtogethisattentionsohe’dgeton with it and finish plowing his field instead of just foolingaroundwastinghistime!

The point is, don’t put your own interpretation onwhat theLordissayingtoyou.That’swheretheproblemisalotoftimes.IfitisGod,justletGodbeGodandallowHimtoopenthedoorsofopportunitythatHehasforyou.

JustrestinHim,andletHimbringtopasswhatHe’stoldyou.Befaithful,pray,andstudytoprepareyourselftodoHiswill(2Tim.2:15).

Inmyownwalkwith theLord, Inever try to forceanythingthatGodhastoldmebytryingtomakeitcometopassmyself.I’veseenthingsintheSpiritthatwereyearsincomingtopass—somethingsmorethanfiftyyears—butitneverbotheredmeabitjusttowaitforGodtobringittopass.

GodcanopenHisowndoorsforyou!Don’tgetinahurryandtrytoopenthosedoorsbyyourself.Youcan’tgetthingstocometopassinyourownstrengthanyway.Besides,GodblessesyouasyouwalkthroughthedoorsHeopens.

When God said He would take me on to visions andrevelations,thevisionsdidn’tstartcominguntil1950.Butfrom1950 through 1958, the Lord Himself appeared to me eighttimes.

I’m sure that never would have happened to me if I hadn’tbegun to pray those prayers in Ephesians, asking the Lord toopentheeyesofmyunderstandingandtogivemerevelationintheknowledgeofHim.

How did I receive knowledge about Jesus? Of course, I’vealwaysprayedalotintongues.ButIreceivedknowledgeaboutJesus simply by praying these prayers in Ephesians word forword formyself. Jesusopened theeyesofmyheartso Icouldunderstand spiritual truths.AndHe continually enlightensmeasIreadHisWord.

YoucanalsopraythatGodwouldopentheeyesofsomeoneelse’s understanding. For example, I remember one person Iknew who was saved and baptized with the Holy Ghost andspokewithother tongues.Heneededhealing inhisbody, and

he believed in divine healing, but he was struggling in hisspirituallife.Hewashavingahardtimereceivinghishealing.

He talked to me, and I knew something about his spiritualstruggle.Hislackofunderstandingabouthealingwashinderinghis faith, so he couldn’t get his faith to work in the area ofhealing.Finally,becauseofhisdisease,hewasvirtuallyfacingdeath.

Well,Italkedtohimmorethanoncetotrytogethimtoseecertainbiblicaltruthsabouthealing;buthejustcouldn’tseemtograspthem.

Nottoolongafterthat,IwasinameetinginacertaincityinTexas, and every day Iwould openmyBible to these prayershere inEphesians. I’d say, “Lord, I’mpraying this for So-and-so,”andI’djustcallhisnametotheLord.ThenI’dpraytheseprayersforhim,puttinghisnameinwhereveritsaid,“you”or“your.”

I prayed using this prayer in Ephesians chapter 1 that Godwould open the eyes of his understanding so he could seecertain truths in theWord of God. I prayed that way for himeverydayfortendays.

Onthetenthday, thatmancametomeandsaid,“Youknowwhat?”

“What?”Iasked.

Hesaid,“I’mbeginningtoseethings intheWordI’veneverseenbefore.”

I never did tell him that I’d been praying that his spiritualeyeswouldbeopened.

Praying the Ephesian prayers is a valuable way to pray foryourself, but this is a scriptural way to pray for other peopletoo.

The reason many people don’t understand the Scriptures isthat theydon’tknowJesus.Or if theyknowHim, theyarenotwalking in fellowship with Him. Therefore, the eyes of theirheart aren’t opened or enlightened.When their spiritual eyesareopened,they’llbeabletoreceiveknowledgeofJesus(Eph.1:17).

IstheWordOpenorClosedtoYou?Friend, ifwewillwalk inclose fellowshipwith theLord,He

willopentheWordtous.WhenyougetacquaintedwithJesus,theBiblebecomesanopenBooktoyoubecauseyouknowtheAuthor.It’snotclosedtoyouanymore.

Butifyoudon’tknowJesustheAuthor,itwillbeaclosedbooktoyou.You’llreaditandsay,“Ididn’tgetathingintheworld

outofthat.”

NormallythereisareasonthattheBibleisnotlight,butonlydarkness to you. If it seems to be closed to you even thoughyou’ve been saved for years, then you need to get into closerfellowshipwithGodsoHecanopenupyourspiritualeyes.

And sometimes if you are savedbut theWord ofGod is notalivetoyouoropentoyourunderstanding,itcouldbethatyouare notwalking in the light of theWord. In otherwords, youmaynotbewalkinginallthetruthyouknow.

Yousee,theBiblesaysitisthelittlefoxesthatspoilthevines(Song of Sol. 2:15). Sometimes it is the cares of life and thelittlesinsthatcreepinandgetbetweenyouandGod.TheBiblesays that sin separates you from God (Isa. 59:2). When sinseparates you fromGod,He doesn’t seem so real to you. I’velearned a long time ago that when the Word was no longerilluminated to me, I’d missed it somewhere, and I needed toturnaroundandgetbackonthemainroad.

Haveyoueverbeenataplaceinlifewhenitseemedlikeyoujusttookthewrongturn?Itisjustliketakingatrip.Yougetoffon the wrong road, and there is no use continuing down thewrongroad—youjustneedtogetbackontherightroadsoyoucanreachyourdestination.

TherehavebeenafewtimesinlifewhenI’vejusthadtobackupandgetbackonthemainroad.TheminuteIdid,theWordwas lifeand lightandalivetomeonceagain.Butas longasIwasonthewrongroad,itwasdarktome,notilluminated.

But,praiseGod,JesuswillopenHisWordtoyou!JesusistheOpener!HewillopentheeyesofyourunderstandingsoyoucanbeholdwondroustruthsinHisWord!

BeadoerandapracticeroftheWord,andHisWordwillopenuptoyoutoagreaterandgreatermeasure!Walkinthelightofwhatyoudoknow.WhenyouareadoeroftheWordandwalkinfellowshipwith God,Hewill open up the rest of theWord toyou.Whateveryouneedtoknow,Hewillopenituptoyou.

Jesushasopenedthedoorofprovisionandblessingtous.Asweattend to theWordandwalk inclose fellowshipwithHim,Healsocontinuestoopenotherdoorsforgrowth,opportunity,andserviceinourlives.

Chapter4

OpenDoorsofServiceandUtterance

Jesusopenswonderfuldoorsof service forus!WhenweareobedienttowalkthroughthedoorsofservicetheLordopenstous,wewillbeamazedattherichspiritualgrowththatwilltakeplaceinourownpersonallives.GodabundantlyrewardsthosewhoareobedienttodoHiswill.

However,itisamazingtomehowmanybelieverswanttodosomething for God, yet they are waiting until they can dosomethingbigforHim.Butiftheywon’tdosomethinglittleforGod,theywon’teverdoanythingbigforHim.

That’s why it is so important to start out serving Godwhereveryouare.WhateversmalldoorHeopensforyou,walkthroughit,soHecanopenbiggerdoorsofserviceforyou.WhenIfirststartedoutjustasateenager,Ivolunteeredtodo

anythingIcouldforGod.IfIwenttosomeone’schurch,evenifIwasn’tamemberandtheyneededsomeonetosweepthefloor,Iwasthefirstonetovolunteer.I’dsay,“I’lldoit!”

For example, once I visited a church while the pastor wastrying toget someone tohelphimdo somecarpentrywork inthechurch.

The church building was old and had never been weather-proofed on the outside. Winter was coming, so the pastorwantedtogetthechurchreadyforthebadweather.Iwasn’tevenamemberof thatchurch,but Ivolunteeredto

help him. The pastor and I did ninety percent of the workweather-strippingthatchurch.IdiditasuntotheLord.Iwasn’tworkingjustformen.IwantedtopleasetheLord.

It’sdisappointingtoseepeoplewhocouldreallydosomethingforGodjustsittingarounddoingnothing.Forexample,insteadof servingGod rightwhere they are in their spiritual growth,somepeoplewhoarecalledtotheministrywillsay,“Oh,Ican’tdo that!Why, I’m called to be a prophet. I can’t work in thechurch.God’sgotgreaterthingsformethanthat!”

Well,inthefirstplace,evenifsomeonewascalledbyGodtostand in the office of the prophet, itwould probably bemanyyearsbeforehewouldbematureenoughministeriallytostandinthatoffice.Goddoesn’tputnovicesintoministryoffices.God wants believers to grow up spiritually before He gives

themthatkindofministerialresponsibility.1

Itwillsavebelieversmanypitfallsiftheywillunderstandthis

principle:GoddoesnotputspirituallyimmatureChristiansintoofficesofgreatresponsibility.

TheSpiritofGod through theApostlePaul toldTimothynoteventoputanoviceintheofficeofadeacon(1Tim.3:6,8,10).IftheSpiritofGodwouldsaynottoputanoviceintheoffice

of the deacon, thenwhywouldGod put a novice in offices ofeven greater responsibility such as the fivefold ministry? Hewouldn’t!

Itwouldn’tbewise todosobecauseanovicecantooeasilygetliftedupinpride.Satancouldtooeasilytempthimtothinkmorehighlyofhimselfthanheoughtbecauseofhisministerialposition.

No,ministries take time to develop. Besides, thosewho arecalledtotheministryprobablywon’tendupministeringinthesame office in which they begin. First God develops andmatures people so they are ready for greater and greaterresponsibility.Thepotential forministrymaybe thereand thecallingmay

bethere.However,believerscan’tstepintoeverythingGodhasforthemovernightjustbecausetheyarecalledofGod.

This is true even in the natural. For example, a baby in itsmother’sarmshasthepotentialtogrowuptobecomeadoctor,lawyer,oreventhePresidentoftheUnitedStates.

But that baby can’t be any of those things tomorrow or thenextday.Itwilltaketimeforhimtogrow,develop,andmaturesohecanhandlethatkindofresponsibility.Similarly, the potential is there for the full scope of a

believer’sministryandservice toGodtocometopass,buthewon’tbeabletostepoverintothatimmediately.Ittakestimetodevelopthefullpotentialofaperson’sministry.

But when believers aremature enough and have developedspiritually,GodwillbeginmovingthemintothepositionHehasforthem.AndwhenHeisreadyforit,Hewillopenupdoorsofgreaterandgreaterserviceforthem.

That is one reason believers are supposed to preparethemselves. If they don’t prepare themselves, they won’t bereadytomoveonwithGod.TheBibletalksaboutthis:“StudytoshewthyselfapproveduntoGod,aworkmanthatneedethnottobeashamed,rightlydividingthewordoftruth”(2Tim.2:15).ManytimespeoplethinktheyarewaitingonGodwhenreally

God iswaiting on them to prepare themselves. Oneway theycan prepare themselves is by studying to show themselvesapproved. Thenwhen they are prepared,Godwill open doorsforthem.

Whatbelieversneedtounderstandisthatdoorsofserviceareopen to every person. Therefore, find out what your door ofserviceis.AsktheLordtoshowyouwhatyoucandoforHim.

Thenwhereveradoorofserviceopens,juststickyourfootinit.Whateveryourhandfindstodo,doitasuntotheLord.TheBiblesays,“Andwhatsoeveryedo,doitheartily,astotheLord,andnotuntomen”(Col.3:23).WhenyouprovetoGodthatyoucanbedependedon,Hewill

moveyouintotheserviceorministryHehasforyou.Butifyouare tooproudtodo the little things,Godwon’tbeable touseyouinaministrythatrequiresgreatresponsibility.

GodRewardsFaithfulnessSometimes people say, “God didn’t call me to preach, so

there’snothingIcandoforHim.”ButtherearedoorsofservicetobeopenedforeverypersoninGod’sKingdom.WhateverdoorsofserviceGodopensforyou,ifyouserveHim

faithfully,youwillberewarded justasrichlyas thosewhoarecalledtoserveinapulpitministry.

Sometimespeople think thatbecausesomeonestands in thepulpit and preaches, that person will be rewardedimmeasurablybeyondanyoneelseineternity.Butthat’sjustnotso.

IfyouarefaithfulinwhateverGodhastoldyoutodo,youwillbe rewarded for your faithfulness.God doesn’t reward peopleaccordingtotheirposition;HerewardsthemaccordingtotheirfaithfulnesstoobeyHim.Youknow,inthearmyoftheLord,noteveryoneisanofficer.

We can’t all be officers any more than everyone could beofficers in a natural army. There also have to be foot soldiersandotherswhoserveinvariouscapacities.

Even in the Old Testament, the Bible says that those who“stayed by the stuff”—those who stayed behind to guard thearmy’s belongings—received just asmuch of the rewards andspoils ofwar as thosewhowent out to battle. Staying by thestuffwasanopendoorofservicetoo.

WeseeanexampleofthisprincipleintheOldTestament.TheAmalakitescameinandplunderedZiklagandkidnappedallthewomen and children from David’s camp. David and his menmournedgreatlyforthelossoftheirfamiliesandtheirgoods.Finally David encouraged himself in the Lord and began to

inquire of the Lord as to what to do. The Lord told David topursue the enemy, for David and his men would surelyovercomethemandrecoveralltheirgoods.SoDavidgatheredhismentogetherandpursuedtheAmalakites.

1SAMUEL30:8–10,18–258AndDavidinquiredattheLord,saying,ShallIpursueafterthistroop?shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shaltsurelyovertakethem,andwithoutfailrecoverall.9SoDavidwent,heandthesixhundredmenthatwerewithhim,andcame to the brook Besor, where THOSE THAT WERE LEFT BEHINDSTAYED.10ButDavidpursued,heandfourhundredmen:FORTWOHUNDREDABODEBEHIND, which were so faint that they could not go over thebrookBesor....

18AndDavid recoveredall that theAmalekiteshad carried away: andDavidrescuedhistwowives.19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great,neither sonsnordaughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that theyhadtakentothem:Davidrecoveredall.20AndDavidtookalltheflocksandtheherds,whichtheydravebeforethoseothercattle,andsaid,THISISDAVID’SSPOIL.21AndDavid came to the twohundredmen,whichwere so faint thatthey could not follow David, whom they hadmade also TO ABIDE ATTHEBROOKBESOR:andtheywentforthtomeetDavid,andtomeetthepeoplethatwerewithhim:andwhenDavidcameneartothepeople,hesalutedthem.22Thenansweredall thewickedmenandmenofBelial,of thosethatwentwithDavid, and said,BECAUSETHEYWENTNOTWITHUS,WEWILL NOT GIVE THEM OUGHT OF THE SPOIL THAT WE HAVERECOVERED,savetoeverymanhiswifeandhischildren,thattheymayleadthemaway,anddepart.23ThensaidDavid,Yeshallnotdoso,mybrethren,withthatwhichtheLordhathgivenus,whohathpreservedus,anddeliveredthecompanythatcameagainstusintoourhand.24Forwhowillhearkenuntoyou in thismatter?butASHISPART ISTHATGOETHDOWNTOTHEBATTLE,SOSHALLHISPARTBETHATTARRIETHBYTHESTUFF:theyshallpartalike.25And itwasso fromthatday forward, thatHEMADEITASTATUTEANDANORDINANCEFORISRAELUNTOTHISDAY.

You see, in David’s army it was considered just as great aservice tostaybehindwith thesuppliesas itwas togoout tobattle. Itbecameanordinance in Israel that thosewhostayedbehind to take care of the belongings would receive just asgreatarewardasthosewhowentouttobattle.

Wealso see thisprinciple today in thechurch.Forexample,sometimes people say that missionaries pay the greatestsacrifice intheserviceoftheLordbecausetheyserveHimonforeign fields. And especially on some foreign mission fields,missionariesdomakeatremendoussacrificetoserveGod.

But sometimes obeying God on the mission field is not anygreatersacrificethanitistoobeyGodby“stayingbythestuff”athome.Sometimes the hardest thing to do is just stay in your own

localchurchandcommunityserving theLordbyentering intowhateverdoorsofserviceHeopensforyou.

The point is that God richly blesses obedience—no matterwhereyouserveHim!Godwill richly rewardyouasyouwalkthroughthedoorofserviceHehasopenedforyou.

For example, over the years people have told me, “Godblessed you so much because many years ago you were

obedient toGod andwent out in the fieldministry.” But eventhoughmywifestayedhomewiththechildren,herrewardwillbejustasgreatasmine.

WeneedtorealizethatGodwillrewardpeople for faithfullyattending church and working in their local church body ifthat’s what He’s called them to do, because God rewardsfaithfulness.Therefore,eventhoughsomebelieversjust“staybythestuff”

anddon’tserveGodonthemissionfield,Godwillrewardtheirprayers, their financial support, and their work in their ownlocalchurchbody.

SomeChristianssay,“ButthereisnothingIcando.”But,youknow,there’ssomekindofservicetotheLordthateachoneofuscando.

WhensomepeoplegettoHeavenandtherewardsaregivenout, I am certain that many folks will step forward to get acertainreward,butJesuswillcallsomeoneelse’sname.For example, I’m sure that there are going to be some

preachers and pastors who are going to step up to receive arewardbecausetheywillthinktothemselves,IknowI’llreceivearewardbecause,afterall,Ibuiltthatchurch!Orthey’llthinkIdidthisorIdidthat.

ButI’mconvincedthatmanytimesJesus isgoingtocall thename of some other person whoworked faithfully behind thescenes,whennooneknewaboutitbutGod!

PrayerIsaServiceUntotheLordLet me give you an example of what I mean. Many people

don’tthinkaboutprayerasanopendoorofservicetotheLord.ButmuchgoodiswroughtintheKingdomofGodbythefaithfulprayersofGod’speople.

Forexample,atthePentecostalchurchIpastoredwhenIfirstcame over into the Full Gospel Movement, there was a littleladywholivedinanearbytownwhowasabouteighty-twoyearsold.FolkscalledherMotherH________.

MotherH________was not amember ofmy church, but shewouldvisitmychurchquitefrequentlybecauseitwasn’ttoofarfromwhereshelived.Ipastoredinalittlecountrytownwithapopulationofonlya

few hundred. Most of my congregation consisted of farmerswho lived in the farmingarea roundabout, and some lived intown.Well,we’dhavea fellowshipmeetingeverySunday,andfortytoseventypeoplewouldattend.

We’d go to someone’s home to have a potluck dinner and a

timeoffellowship.Itwasharvesttimeinthefalloftheyear,sowe only had services on the weekends. We dismissed ourWednesday night service because people were out harvestingtheircropsandpickingcotton.

Mother H________ would come to these Sunday fellowshipmeetings that were held in someone’s home. As soon as thedinnerwasover,MotherH________wouldfellowshipalittlebit,butthenshewouldfindabedroomwhereshecouldpray.Many of those old farm homes back in the ’30s didn’t have

rugs on the floor; some of them didn’t even have linoleum.Manyofthemjustsimplyhadold,rough,barewoodenfloors.

MotherH________wouldaskforamagazineoranewspaperorsomething she could spread on the floor, and then shewouldgetonherkneesandpraytherestoftheafternoon.

While the rest of us were visiting, fellowshipping, andenjoyingoneanother’scompany,MotherH________waspraying.I learnedthatshehadlivedinDallas,Texas,andhadreceivedthe baptism of the Holy Ghost way back at the turn of thecentury.AfterMotherH________wasfilledwiththeSpirit,shejusttook

ituponherhearttoprayaFullGospelchurchintoeverytownandcityinnorthTexas.Shemadeabusinessofprayer.Inotherwords,shemadeitherbusinesstolivealifeofprayertoGod.

One of the neighboring pastors didn’t have a parsonage, soMotherH________toldthispastorandhiswife,“Ifyouwantto,youcanliveinmyhouse.”Sotheybuiltapartitionandmadeanapartmentononesideofherhousesothepastorandhiswifecouldlivethere.

ThispastorsaidthatMotherH________wouldalwaysariseateight o’clock everymorning and pray from eight o’clock untilteno’clockinthemorning.Then at ten o’clock she’d have something to eat and

sometimeswouldfellowshipwiththepastorandhiswife.Butbytwoo’clock,shewasbackonherkneespraying.Shewouldprayuntilsixo’clockintheevening.

Thenmaybeshewouldeatdinner,butbyseveno’clockorso,she would be right back at prayer again and pray nearly allnightlong.

She did that night after night, day after day, month aftermonth.Thatwasherserviceunto theLord.Nooneelseknewwhat shewas doingbecause sheprayed in the privacy of herownhome.ButGodsawit.Sotownbytown,citybycity,MotherH________prayeduntila

FullGospelchurchwasestablishedineveryoneofthosetowns

andineveryoneofthosecities.Sheprayeduntilithappened.

I’m well satisfied that when some of those pastors whoestablished churches in those early days finally get up toHeaven, they are going to get all ready to step up for theirreward. Then the Lord is going to call Mother H________forward for the reward instead. You see, Mother H________served the Lord by praying! Maybe she couldn’t preach asermonorgovisitthesick.Buttherewassomethingshecoulddo—shecouldpray!Thisshouldbealessontoallofus,especiallythosewhosay,

“But I don’t know what to do to serve the Lord.” God is notnegligent in opening doors of service for each one of us, butmany have been negligent in walking through the doors Heopens!

GreatandEffectualDoorsofServiceI like something Paul said in First Corinthians 16:9 about

opendoorsofservice.1CORINTHIANS16:99ForAGREATDOORANDEFFECTUALISOPENEDUNTOME,andtherearemanyadversaries.

Godopensgreat,effectualdoorsof service forus.However,commenting on this verse,we couldbegin this versewith thephrase,“...therearemanyadversaries.”

Yousee,Paulwasrealistic.Hedidn’tdenythefactthatthereare many adversaries. Satan will always try to oppose us tokeepusfromgoingthroughthedoorsofservicethattheLordhasopenedforus.Sometimes people think that if you talk about the devil and

youtalkaboutproblems,youaremakingabadconfession.ButPaulwasn’tmakingabadconfession;hewas just facingfacts.Hewasreallystatingaspiritualtruth.SatandoestrytoopposebelieversintheirworkforGod.

Friend,youhavetofacefacts.Thenonceyoufacethefacts,youcantakeyourstandinfaith.Buthowcanyoustandinfaithon God’s Word when you don’t even know what you arebelievingGodfor?

Yousee,manypeoplethinktheyaretakingastandinfaithintheserviceof theLordwhenreally theyare takingastand inignorance by denying the facts, and the devil is laughing atthemthewholetime.Folksneedtorealizethat.Inotherwords,eventhoughtheLordopensadoorofservice

foryou,you’vestillgottousesomecommonsenseandwisdomasyoufulfillwhattheLordhasgivenyoutodo.Youcan’t justsay, “Well, I’m serving the Lord now, so He will justautomaticallytakecareofeverythingthatconcernsme.”

I knew some people who did just that. For example, I waspreaching at a ministry in a certain area. The people I waspreaching for toldme about a couplewhoworked in anotherministry forsomeoneelse.Thiscouplehadbrought their littlethree-year-old child to work with them, and they allowed thechild to just wander all around the grounds. There was aswimmingpoolonthegrounds,andoneofthecaretakerscameinand told theparents, “You’dbetterwatchyour littleboyorelsehe’sgoingtofallintothatswimmingpoolanddrown.”

Well, these people thought they were faith people and thatsince they were busy serving the Lord, nothing bad couldhappentothem.ButeventhoughGod’speopleservetheLord,Hestillexpectsthemtousegoodjudgmentandcommonsense.Actually, these dear folks weren’t acting in faith at all; theywerejustbeingignorant.Well,theywerewarnedtowatchoutfortheirchildbecauseof

thatswimmingpool.Buttheyjustsaid,“Oh,don’tmakeabadconfession.Don’tconfessthatoverus.We’lljustputtheangelsto work to protect our child because we’re busy serving theLord.”

Thenextdaythechilddrowned.Yousee,friend,youcan’tjustleave children to themselves and let them do whatever theywantto. It’snot faithtoneglectyourchildrenand justbelieveGodtotakecareofthemjustbecauseyouareintheserviceoftheLord.Really,that’sjustshirkingyourresponsibility.

You can’t just turn little children over to God and to Hisangelsandtrytoclaimprotection,whenyouarefailinginyourresponsibilityasaparenttotakecareoftheminthefirstplace.Thesepeoplewhosechilddrownedthoughttheywerestandinginfaith,butreallytheywereignorantoftheprinciplesinGod’sWord. You see, Paul believed in faith in God. He said, “Manydoorsofopportunityareopened.”That’sfaith.Buthewasalsorealistic. He didn’t ignore the fact that there is an enemyarrayedagainstus.Therefore,Paulalsosaid,“Therearemanyadversaries.”Also, notice that Paul didn’t say, “There are just a few

adversaries—not enough to bother about.” Or he didn’t say,“Yes,effectualdoorsofserviceareopen,andouradversary,thedevil,willjustletuswalkrightthroughthemunhindered.”

No,Paul facedfactsandtoldbelieversthatthedevilwill tryto oppose them. But that doesn’t negate the effectual opendoors of service that the Lord has provided for them. It alsodoesn’tnegatetheauthority thatbelievershaveoverthedevil(Matt.18:18;Luke10:19).

Yousee,Paulknewhowtogainthevictoryineverysituation!He knew believers have the victory over the devil in Jesus’

Name(Phil.2:9,10).Butontheotherhand,hedidnotdenythefact that thereweremany adversaries thatwould try to keepChristians from entering the doors of opportunity and servicethatwereopenedbeforethem.

See,Recognize,andEnterIntoYourOpenDoors

To tell you the truth about the matter, there is a door ofservice opened before every one of us, if we will just see it,recognizeitsvalue,andenterintoit!

Youmaysay,“ButI’mnotcalledtopreach”or“I’mnotcalledtoapulpitministry.”

Thenmaybeyouarecalledtotheministryofhelps.Peopleintheministryofhelpsassistorhelpthoseinthefivefoldministry.But whether or not you have a call of God to the fivefold

ministry,ifyouwilljustlookaround,youwillseeplentyofopendoorsforserviceinvariousareasintheministry.

I was pastor of a little country church years ago in Texas.We’d just come out of the Depression, and prices and wageswere frozen because we were still operating on Depressionprices.

We didn’t have a regular janitor, but from time to timedifferentpeoplevolunteeredtocleanthechurch.I’dalwaysgoovertocheckuptobesurethey’ddustedthepewsandsweptthefloors.If itwasn’tdone right, I justdid it over.Most of the time it

wasn’tdoneright,somanytimes,I’djustwindupcleaningthechurchmyself.

Well, oneof theyoungmenofmychurchhadgoneout intotheministry, and hewas the pastor of a little country churchabout thirtymiles away. I’d promisedhim that Iwould hold ameeting for him, so I held a revival in his church. We had aserviceeverynight,fromMondaynightthroughSaturdaynight.

AftertheSaturdaynightservice,IdrovebackhomesoIcouldpreach the next morning in my own church. We didn’t havefreeways back then, just two-lane roads, and people didn’ttravelasfastinthosedaysastheydonow.Andaftertheservicewehadsomerefreshmentsandfellowship,soIdidn’tgethomeuntillate.Irememberdrivingalongthinking,Ihopethey’vecleanedthe

church. If theydidn’t, I’mgoingtohavetogetupearly in themorning or else do it before I go to bed tonight so it will beclean for theSundaymorningservice.Wehadvolunteerswhocleaned the church, but sometimes folkswould say theyweregoingtocleanitbutdidn’tfollowthroughanddoit.

SowhenIgottotheparsonage,thefirstthingIdidwastogoovertothechurchandturnonthelights.Thechurchwasjustspickandspan.Itwasunusuallyclean;ithadneverlookedthatimmaculatebefore.SoIrejoicedandwentonmyway.

ThenextmorningaftertheSundaymorningservice,abrothercameuptomejustbeamingandsaid,“Well,whatdoyouthinkofit?”Hewas just so thrilled, youwouldhave thoughthehad just

beenelectedasthepastorofthechurchorthathe’djustbeenpromotedtosomehighofficeorsomething.

“Thinkaboutwhat?”Iasked.

“Thechurch!Didn’tyounoticehowcleanitwas?”hesaidjustbeaming.“Yes,”Isaid.“Thatisthebestjobthat’severbeendoneonit.”

When I said that, the man just began to weep. He said,“BrotherHagin, I’mamemberof thischurch. Ineverwent toschooladayinmylife,soIneverlearnedhowtoreadorwrite.Ican’tevenreadtheBible.Ican’tteachaSundayschoolclass.Idon’thaveagoodsingingvoice.I’vejustmoreorlesssatforyears,justwarmingthepew.

“ButI’veoftenthought,IwishtherewassomethingIcoulddointhechurch.”He continued, “One day I was walking across the church

parking lot,and Iwassayingagain tomyselfandto theLord,Isn’ttheresomethingIcoulddotohelp?SuddenlytheSpiritofGodarrestedmeandshowedmesomethingIcoulddo.Hesaidtome,‘Doyoureallywanttodosomethinginthechurch?’

“Isaid,‘Yes,Lord!JustshowmesomethingIcando.’

“TheLordsaid tome, ‘Thechurchdoesn’thavea janitor,soBrotherHaginusually has to do all the cleaninghimself.Whydon’tyougooverandhelphimbycleaningthechurch?’“I said to the Lord, ‘Dear God, why didn’t I think of that

before!’”

Itellyou,thismanwasasproudasifhe’djustbeenelectedasthePresidentoftheUnitedStates.Imean,hisfacewasjustbeamingthewholetime.Ithoughttomyself,Ifhe’llgothroughthis door that has opened up to him and be faithful in thisservice,he’llgetjustasmuchrewardasIwillforbeingfaithfulinpastoring!

Yousee,folks,thereisaprinciplehere.Goddoesnotrewardus according to ourposition. He rewards us according to ourfaithfulness.

God is not going to reward people for the office or positiontheyfill.Godisgoingtorewardpeoplefortheirfaithfulnessinfulfillingthatposition.Sojustbefaithful,praiseGod!Thereisadoorofservicethatcanbeopenedandisopenforyouifyou’lljustasktheLordtoshowittoyou.

You see, therewas a door of service thatwas open for thismanallthetime,buthedidn’tseeit.Inotherwords,thatdoorofservicewaswideopenallthetime,buthewaspassingrightbyituntiltheHolyGhostcalledhisattentiontoit.And I dare say there are doors of opportunity and doors of

service thatareopentoallbelieversrightnow!MaytheLordopen our eyes so we will see them. Praise God, let’s enterthroughthedoorofservicethattheLordhasforus,fornotonlywill others be blessed, butwewill be blessed aswe obey theLord!

DoorsofUtteranceWhatotherdoorsdoesGodopenforustoserveHim?Henot

onlyopensdoorsofservice,butthankGod,Healsoopensdoorsofutterance.

COLOSSIANS4:2–32Continueinprayer,andwatchinthesamewiththanksgiving;3Withalprayingalsoforus,thatGodwouldOPENUNTOUSADOOROFUTTERANCE,tospeakthemysteryofChrist.

KeepinmindthattheseScripturesarewrittentotheChurch—tobelievers.Paulsaidtocontinueinprayer.Itismightyeasyto let things distract youuntil you are praying just enough tomaintainonlyamediocrefellowshipwiththeLord.

ButColossians4:2says,“Continueinprayer,andwatchinthesame with thanksgiving.” Notice that again and again in theScriptures the subjects of prayer and thanksgiving are joinedtogether.Why?Becausewhenyouarepraying in faith, youcan thank

God in advance, not only for hearing, but also for answeringyourprayers.

Now notice especially what Colossians 4:3 says: “Withalprayingalso forus, thatGodwouldopenuntousADOOROFUTTERANCE. . . .” ThankGod,Godopensdoors of utterance.Godcertainlyopenedmanydoorsofutterance forPaul,didn’tHe?AndHewillopendoorsofutteranceforyou,too,ifyouwillaskHimto.

Sometimes folks say, “I just can’t speak out and be a boldwitness for God.” But that is where the baptism in the HolySpirit comes in. TheHoly Spirit comes to fill you to give youboldness.WecanseethisintheWord.

ACTS1:8[AMPLIFIED]

8 But you shall receive POWER—ABILITY, EFFICIENCY and MIGHT—when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and YOU SHALL BE MYWITNESSES...totheends—theverybounds—oftheearth.

When you talk in tongues, theHolyGhost empowers you tospeaksupernaturallyinothertongues.Forexample,inActs2:4,itsays,“...theywereallfilledwiththeHolyGhost,andbeganto SPEAK with other tongues, as the Spirit gave themutterance.”Those folkswhoreceived theHolySpiritdidn’tkeepquiet—

they spoke out in tongues. They spoke in supernaturalutterances.

SowhenyouarefilledwiththeHolySpiritandbegintospeakintongues,theHolySpiritloosesyourtonguesoyoucanspeakforth in supernatural utterances! And not only does He looseyour tongue, but He also empowers you and gives you aboldnessyouneverhadbeforetowitnessforGod.

I remember a lady who received the baptism in the HolyGhost inoneofmymeetings.Afterwards,herhusbandsaid toher, “What’s happened to you? It just seems like you’ve beenturnedintoanotherwoman!”Her husbandwasn’t a Christian, so before she received the

baptism in theHoly Spirit, she almost had to follow the Lordsecretly.Shewasn’tboldtospeakoutabouttheLordinherlife,andshedidn’tseemtohaveanypowerinherlife.

Shewaswhatwecalla“Milquetoast”Christian.DoyouknowwhatImeanbythatexpression?Thatmeansanyonecouldpushher around; shewas so timid that she just never stoodup forherself or for the Lord. She never witnessed for the Lord oreventalkedaboutHim.

Anything her husband wanted to do, they did. But she toldme, “When I got baptized in the Holy Ghost, God gave meboldness. It’s like He loosed my tongue, and I could speakboldlyforGod.Iturnedintoadifferentperson!“Igotsobold,Ijustsimplysaidtomyhusband,‘I’mgoingto

church!’BeforeIreceivedtheHolyGhost, IneverwouldhavehadtheboldnesstotellmyhusbandIwasgoingtochurch.”

Shetoldme,“Myhusbandsaid,‘Well,goaheadifthat’swhatyouwanttodo.’”

Shetoldherhusband,“Yes,that’swhatIwanttodo.Notonlythat,butIwanttostartsupportingthechurchfinancially.”Herhusbandwasawealthy fellow.Hehadplenty ofmoney,

andhelovedhiswife,sohesaid,“Well,ifthat’swhatyouwanttodo,justgoaheadandgivetothechurch.”

Then he said to her, “Something has happened to you! You

usedtobesomealymouthedandtimid.Youneverwouldtellmewhatyouwanted todo.Nowyou’rebold!What’shappened toyou?”

She said, “I’ve received the baptism in theHoly Spirit. AndthepoweroftheHolySpirithaschangedmylife!”WhatadifferencereceivingtheHolySpiritmakesinourlives!

Heopensadoorofutteranceforusandgivesusboldness.HeloosesourtongueandgivesusaholyboldnesstospeakupforGod!

Friend, when you think about it, Jesus has opened to usmarvelous doors of blessings, provisions, and doors ofopportunitiesforrichspiritualgrowth,service,andutterance.

May God open your eyes to see God’s bountiful doors ofblessingandopportunity!Othersmaynotrecognizetheirdoorsofopportunity,butmayyounotneglectwhatGodhasalreadypreparedforyou.EnterboldlythroughGod’sopendoorsbyfaithsoyoucanbe

wonderfully blessed. Entering God’s doors of service willgreatlyenrichyourownlife,butyourobediencewillalsocauseyou to be a blessing to humanity! May the eyes of yourunderstanding be opened so you can know God’s wonderfulabundanceinyourlife!

1 For further study on ministry gifts, see Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin’s books, The

MinistryGiftsandHeGaveGiftsUntoMen.

Chapter5

TheOpenDoorofHealingJesushasalreadyopeneddoorsofblessingforHispeople.He

notonlyopened thedoorofsalvation,butHealsoopened thedoorofhealingforus.Jesusopenedthisdoor,andnomancanshutit.

You see, Isaiah prophesied many years ago concerning thecomingMessiahthatHewouldbearthesicknessesanddiseasesofusall.WhenIsaiahprophesiedthatinIsaiah53:4and5,hewaslookingforwardintothefuture.

ISAIAH53:4–54Surelyhehathborneourgriefs[sicknesses],andcarriedoursorrows[diseases]:yetwedidesteemhimstricken,smittenofGod,andafflicted.5But hewaswounded for our transgressions, hewas bruised for ouriniquities:thechastisementofourpeacewasuponhim;andWITHHISSTRIPESWEAREHEALED.

IsaiahwasprophesyingabouttheNewCovenantthatwastoberatifiedwhenJesuswouldcometoearthandofferHimselfasasacrificeforoursinsandbearoursicknessesanddiseases.

Then when Peter made his statements concerning thecovenant of healing, he was looking back to the stripes thatwerelaidonJesus’backandbackintimetoJesus’sacrificeonCalvary.

1PETER2:2424Whohisownselfbareoursinsinhisownbodyonthetree,thatwe,beingdeadtosins,shouldliveuntorighteousness:BYWHOSESTRIPESYEWEREHEALED.

Notice this verse doesn’t say you are going to be healed—future tense. Itsaysyouwerehealed—past tense.Thatmeansin themind ofGod, youwere alreadyhealedwayback at theCross of Calvary when our sins and sicknesses were laid onJesus.

Therefore,thedoorofhealingandhealthisopenwidetoyou.Jesusopened it,but it’sup toyou toenter through thatdoor!Someone asked, “How do you enter through the door ofhealing?”YouenterintoitbyfaithinwhatGodalreadysaidinHisWord!

How did Jesus open the door of healing for mankind? BysacrificingHimself!Matthew8:17says,“...HIMSELFtookourinfirmities,andbareoursicknesses”!First Peter 2:24 said, “Who his own self bare our sins [and

sicknesses]INHISOWNBODYonthetree....”Jesusnotonlyboreour sins inHisownbodyon theCross,butHealsoboreoursicknesses.Jesushasalreadyopenedthedoortohealingforus!

That open door of healing is there waiting for you to gothroughit.Inotherwords,healingbelongstoyounow.

Just think about it! How do you enter through the door ofsalvation?ByacceptingJesusasyourSavior.Well,howdoyouenter thedoor of healing?By accepting Jesus as yourHealer.YouacceptJesusasbothyourSaviorandyourHealerbyfaithinwhatGodalreadysaidinHisWord.ThankGod,healingforthephysicalbodyispartandparcelof

thegospelofourLordJesusChrist!

I started preaching divine healing as a young Baptist boypastorbecauseIsawitintheWord.Ihadbeenhealedmyself,raisedupfromadeathbed.Ihadbeenbornintothisworldsick,and for almost seventeen long years, I never ran and jumpedandplayedlikeotherchildren.

I was a semi-invalid and became totally bedfast at fifteenyearsofageandspentsixteenmonthson thebedofsickness.Five doctors on the case just shook their heads and said,“You’vegottodiebecausemedicalsciencecan’tdoanythingforyou.”Soformanymonths, I just laythere,waitingtodie.AsI lay

theredying,Istaredattheceilinginthesemidarknessofdeath,looking for theopendoor tohealing.Butmedicalsciencesaidtherewasnodooropen tome.Doctors toldme, “Wecan’tdoanything foryou.”Accordingto them, thedoor tohealingwasclosedtome.

Then I looked to the unbelieving preachers and to thedenominationalchurch,andtheysaidthatwhenthelastapostledied, he shut the door of healing behind him. They told me,“Healing is not for us today.”But, thankGod, the last apostledidn’t shut thedoorbecausenomancan shutwhat Jesushasopened!

Canyou imagine (as somechurchpeople say, butnotBible-based believers) that when the last apostle died, he shut thedooronhealing!Can you picture the last apostle as an elderly gentleman

gettingreadytodieandcrossovertotheothersidetoHeaven.

Folksbegintoscurryaround,saying,“We’dbettergettothesickinahurry,becauseoncethisapostledies,nooneelsecangethealed.We’vegottogetthesesickfolkshealed inahurrybecause that apostle is about to shut the door of healingforever!”

You see, according towhat some folks say, that last apostlehadthepowertoshutthedoorofhealingoneveryoneelsewhowould ever live on this earth. That’s foolish, isn’t it? And yetthat is what many people believe. No, thank God, man can’t

shutthedoorofhealing.Notevenanapostlecanshutit.OnlyJesuscan—butHeleftitwideopen!

WhatDoesGodSayAboutYourHealing?Justasa teenageron thebedof sickness, somethingon the

inside told me that I could be healed. Mentally, I didn’tunderstandthat Icouldbehealedbecausemymindwas filledwith religious thinking.My thinkingwas all cluttered upwiththetraditionsofmen.

Inotherwords,Iknewwhatmansaidaboutmycondition,butnotwhatGodsaid!Mansaidhealinghadpassedawaywiththelastapostleand that Ihad todie.But thanksbe toGod, IgotintotheWordformyselftoseewhatGodsaidabouthealing.

IbeganreadingGrandma’soldMethodistBible formyself. Idiscoveredthat thedoor tohealingwaswideopen!Hallelujahto Jesus! I also found out thatwhat Jesus opens, noman canshut.Godneverhasshut thatdoorofhealingandhealth. It isstillopentoeveryonewhowillreceivehealingtoday.Men’s traditions—“churchianity”—tried to shut the door of

healing onme. I discussed theWordwith other people. Evensomewell-meaningchurchfolksandpreacherstriedtoshutthedoorofhealingonme.Theysaid,“No,youcan’tbehealed.Thedoorofhealinghasbeenclosed.It’sshuttight.”

ButonceyoufindoutforyourselfthetruthofGod’sWordonhealing,noonecanshutthedoorofhealingonyou!Hallelujah!I’msogladIfoundthatdoorwideopen!

When I finally got the revelation of divine healing, like afullback runningwith the football, I grabbed theWordofGodundermyarmandtookoffrunningwiththeWordonhealing.Imadearunforthatopendoor.Oh,yes,peopletriedtotacklemeandstopme.Everyonetold

methatdoorwasn’teventhere,butIcouldseeitwiththeeyeoffaith!

WiththetruthofGod’sWord,Ihadtorunasdeterminedasafullbackrunningdownthefootball fieldtoscoreatouchdown,dodgingunbelieversandknockingdowndoubtandunbelief!

ButthanksbetoGod!Iranthroughthatopendoorofhealingmanyyearsago.Thatverydoortheytoldmewasclosed,Ifoundtobeopen, for Jesushadalreadyopened itby thesacrificeofHimself.Ifoundhealingandhealth.Nowmorethansixtyyearshavecomeandgone,andI’mstill

healed!Andeversincethen,I’vebeengoingatahop,skip,anda jump, telling people that the door of healing is still open tothem!

JesusIstheAnswerYousee,theremaybetimesmedicalsciencewon’tbeableto

help people. Some folks will have to look to the Lord to behealed.Nowdon’tmisunderstandme.ThankGodformedicalscience.

ThankGodfordoctors.

Infact,oneofthefirstthingsIdidafterIwashealedwastomakemywaytoDr.R________,oneofthefivedoctorswhohadbeenonmycase.

I shook hands with him and said, “Dr. R________, I want tothankyou foreverythingyouhavedone forme.Youhave justbeen sowonderful, and Iwant to thank you for it.”He neverwouldchargeapennyforhisservices,buthealwayswentoutofhiswaytohelpme.Forinstance,whenIwasonthebedofsicknesshewouldsay

tome:“Son,anytimeyouwantmetocometoseeyou,justhaveyour folks call me, night or day. If it is four o’clock in themorningandyouneedmetocomeover,justhavethemcallme,andI’llberightover.

“Ican’tdoanythingtogetyouwell,”hesaid.“Nodoctorcando anything to help you.Medically speaking, youwill have todie. But if you can get any comfort from my sitting by yourbedside,I’llholdyourhandandcomfortyou.”

And he was good to his word too.Whenever wewould callhim,he’dcomeandtrytocomfortme.That’swhyIwantedtogothankhim.Ofcourse,whenhe foundout I’dbeenhealed,he said, “It’s

justamiracleofGod!”

Isaid,“Yes,itisamiracleofGod.ButIwantedtotellyouthatIappreciateyou.Yousatbymybedsideandtoldmethetruth.Yousaid therewasnothingyoucoulddo tohelpmemedicallyspeaking.Youtoldme,‘Son,justgodownthemiddleoftheroadand stay ready to go.’ But you always took the time to try tohelpandcomfortme.”

Well,thankGod,Iwasreadytogoasfarasbeingsavedwasconcerned.Butwhen I got into theWord, I foundout I didn’thavetodie.Ifoundoutthatthedoorofhealingthatpeoplesaidwasclosed—wasreallywideopen!But, thankGod, theBiblesaid,“What Jesusopened,noman

canshut.”Theapostlescouldn’tshutthedooreitherbecausenoman canshutwhat Jesusopens.Andnodenominationhas therightortheauthoritytoclosethedoor.Thedoorofhealingandhealth is still open to this day to anyone who wants to walkthroughthatdoor.

Not only is the door to divine healing open, but Jesus hasopenedthedoorofdivinehealth.WhatdoImeanbythat?Godnotonlywantsustobehealedifweneedhealing,butHealsowantsustostayinhealth.IbelieveJesuscankeepussavedandHecankeepushealedtoo!

OnewaytostayhealedistowalkcloselywithGodeverydayand stay in close fellowshipwithHim inHisWord.But if youneed healing, come to God and receive your healing becauseJesusisstilltheSavior,andHeisstilltheHealer.

GodProvidedForgivenessandHealingThepsalmist of old said thatGodprovidedboth forgiveness

andhealingforus.Therefore,thedoorsofbothforgivenessandhealingarealreadyopentous.

PSALM103:2–32BlesstheLORD,Omysoul,andforgetnotallhisbenefits:3Who FORGIVETH ALL THINE INIQUITIES; who HEALETH ALL THYDISEASES.

God not only forgives all our iniquities or sins, but He alsoheals all our diseases. So if we need healing, we canappropriatewhatJesushasalreadyprovidedforus.AndwhatisevenbetterisjusttowalkinsweetfellowshipwithJesussowecanwalkinhealingandhealth.

When I first started preaching divine healing, I didn’t knowanyone in all the world who believed in healing exceptme. Ithought I had found something in the Bible that no one elsebelieved.

IstartedpastoringmyfirstchurchwhenIwaseighteenyearsofage.IacceptedthepastorateandpreachedmyfirstsermonasapastorjustbeforeIturnednineteen.Ididn’tknowanyoneelsewhowaspreachinghealingexcept

me. I found out later that a number of folks preached onhealing, but no one encouraged me to preach on it. In fact,everyonediscouragedmeandtriedtotalkmeoutofit.

Infact,thedenominationIbelongedtosaid,“Wewillordainyouifyouwilljustbackoffalittlebitonthishealingbusiness.Now go ahead and preach about prayer if you want to. Goahead and preach that the Lord hears and answers prayeraccording toHiswill.But just backoff a little on thishealingbusiness,andwewillordainyou.”

Isaid,“No,I’mnotgoingtobackoffonpreachinghealing.Infact,insteadofbackingoffonit,Iintendtopreachmoreonit.”I was preaching healing publicly and praying for people

privately,butIintendedtostarthavingpublichealingmeetings.Youdidn’tseepublichealingmeetingsmuchinthosedays.Butthen I saw that in the Acts of the Apostles and in the four

Gospels,JesusandHisdisciplesheldpublichealingmeetings.

Thenin1937,IwasbaptizedwiththeHolyGhostandspokewithothertongues.GettingfilledwiththeSpiritwasn’tnearlyaspopularbackthenasitisnow.Inthosedays,ifyouspokewithothertongues,youwerejust

automatically kicked out of the mainline denominationalchurches. So I received the left foot of fellowship from mydenominational church, and I came over and aligned myselfwithPentecostalfolks.

I learned that Pentecostal people preached about divinehealing.SoIdidn’tletuponpreachingwhattheWordhastosayabout healing; I began to preach the truths ofGod’sWord onhealingevenmore.

So at conventions, sectional meetings, fellowship meetings,andyouthmeetings, I suppose that Ipreachedmore thananyother preacher in our area. You see, I couldn’t sing, so ifministersweregoingtoaskmetodoanything,theyhadtoaskmetopreach.Iwouldalwayspreachonfaithandhealing.Sometimespeoplewouldaskme,“Whydoyoualwayspreach

onfaithandhealing?Don’tyouknowanythingelse?”

I’danswer,“CertainlyIdo.Youcanaskfolksinmychurch.Idon’tpreachonfaithandhealingallthetimeinmychurch.ButIdopreachonitbecauseit’sintheBible.

“But the reason I preach on faith and healing so much atfellowshipmeetingsandyouth rallies is that Iwant theyoungpeople to see the truthsofhealing like Ididasa teenager sotheycanwalkinthelightofit.AndifIdon’tpreachonit,theywouldneverhearitbecauseyouarenotpreachingit.”Mostofthemsaid,“Youareexactlyright.”Pastors inFullGospelchurchesevensaidtome,“Youknow,

healing is not very important. Healingwas just sort of a sideissuewiththeLordJesusandwiththeApostles.”

But ifyouwillsearchtheScriptures,youwill findthatJesusandHisdisciplesnotonlypreachedandtaughtonhealing,buttheyoftenheldhealingmeetings.

Besides,ifyouaredying,healingisnotasideissue!Ifyouaresickandneedhealing,healingisnotasideissue!InonemeetingIheld,thepastorkeptsayingthattomeevery

day. He’d say, “Well, healing is just a side issue in the NewTestament.”Finally,inoneofmyservices,IshowedthathealingwasamainissueintheBible.

I said, “Ifhealing is justa side issue in theNewTestament,then Jesus spent three-fourths of His time on a side issuebecauseeverywhereHewentHetaughtthepeopleandhealed

them”(Matt.14:14;Luke6:17–19).

Then I said, “And if healing was just a side issue with theApostles, then in the Acts of the Apostles, they spentmost oftheirtimeonasideissue.”

ACTS5:12,1612Andby thehandsof theapostlesweremanySIGNSandWONDERSwroughtamongthepeople....

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about untoJerusalem,BRINGINGSICKFOLKS,andthemwhichwereVEXEDWITHUNCLEANSPIRITS:andTHEYWEREHEALEDEVERYONE.

Ifhealingisjustasideissue,thatmeansPhilipspentmuchofhistimeinSamariaonasideissue.

ACTS8:5–75 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christuntothem.6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things whichPhilipspake,hearingandseeingTHEMIRACLESwhichhedid.7Foruncleanspirits,cryingwithloudvoice,cameoutofmanythatwerepossessedwiththem:andmanytakenwithpalsies,andthatwerelame,WEREHEALED.

Thepastorgotuprightinthemiddleofmysermon,andsaid,“Folks,listen.BrotherHaginhasplowedmeunder.

“He’sjustplowedmeunderwiththeWord.”That’sagoodoldTexas expression that means I refuted every one of hisarguments.Thenthispastorsaid,“I’vebeenwrong.Isaidhealingwasa

sideissueofthegospel.ButnowIseethatitisnotasideissue;itisthemainline.”Yousee,thisgospeltrainrunsontwotracks—thenewbirthanddivinehealing!

P.C.NelsonwasanAssemblyofGodministerwhoestablishedSouthwestern Bible Institute. He could read and write thirty-two languages andwas one of the foremost experts onGreekandHebrewintheworld.

“Dad”Nelson, aswe youngministers called him, once said,“Divine healing is part and parcel of the gospel of the LordJesusChrist.AndwhatGodhasjoinedtogether,letnotmanputasunder.”SopraiseGod!Jesushasopenedthedoorofhealingforus!I

personallywouldnotbealivetodayexceptthatIlearnedhowtowalkthroughthatdoorofhealingformyself.

In theWordwe can readily see that God has also providedothermethods to help us go through the door to receive ourhealing.

For example, in Mark 16:17 and 18 Jesus said, “. . . thesesignsshallfollowTHEMTHATBELIEVE;Inmyname...theyshallLAYHANDSONTHESICK,andtheyshallRECOVER.”

Whoare thesignsgoing to follow?Thosewhobelieve.Well,whatarethesigns?Oneofthemisthatthebelievingonesshalllay hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover! Therefore,layingonofhands isonewayapersoncanenter through thedoorofhealing.

EntertheDoorofHealingforYourselfNow listen very carefully to what I’m about to say: I can’t

enter the door of healing for you, just as you can’t enterthroughthatdoorforme.

ButIcanhelpinspireyouinfaithandinyourbelievingsoyoucan go through that door yourself. This is especially trueconcerninghealing,butitalsoappliestowhateverotherdoorofprovisionorpromiseJesusopensforyou.

Forexample,Irememberayoungladywhowasinjuredinanautomobileaccidentattheageofeighteen.Shebrokeherneckand back in two places, and the doctor said shewould neverwalk again. After two years in the hospital and extensivephysical therapy, she could finally swing her body alongbetweencrutchesforabouttenortwelvefeetatatime.Shewastwenty-eightyearsoldwhenshecametooneofmy

meetings.Someonecarriedherintothechurchandhelpedhertoapew.Isawherateveryservice,butshenevergotinanyofthehealinglines.Finallyonedaysheaskedme,“BrotherHagin,who’sgoingtohavefaithformyhealing—meoryou?”

Isaid,“Bothofus.IhavetohavefaithtolayhandsonyouforyourhealingintheNameofJesus.Andyouhavetohavefaithtoreceiveyourhealing.”

“Well,” she said, “if I’m supposed to believe anything, justforgetit.”Afterthat,shenevercamebacktoanymoreofthosemeetingstohearmepreach.Two years later, I was holding a series of meetings in the

same church and that young lady was there day and night,listening. ThenonFridaynight of the secondweek, she cameforwardandgot in thehealing line, swingingherselfalongonhercrutches.

I rememberedher from two yearsbefore, so I said, “Well, Iseethatyou’vecome.”

Shesaid, “Yes, I’vecome forhealing,and I’ll behealed too.Justlayyourhandsonme.”Whatavastdifferencefromwhatshe’dsaidbefore!Yousee,

beforeshewas trying togetme tocarryheronmy faith.Butwhenshecamebacktwoyearslater,shewasreadytoenterthedoorofhealingherself.

Ijustreachedmyhandoutandbarelybrushedherforehead.Ididn’tevengettosayanything—shejustraisedbothhandsandbegan topraiseGod forherhealing.Bothofher crutches fellaway,andshewalkedofftotallyhealed!GlorytoGod!

Thosemeetingslastedtwomoreweeks,andfromthenonshewalkedtwoblocksfromherhousetothechurchbackandforthtoservicestwiceeveryday!But all those years before she was healed, someone had to

driveuptoherhouseandliftherintothecar.Thentheyhadtodriveuptothesidedoorofthechurchandliftheroutandhelphergettothepewonhercrutches.

But as soon as she walked through the door of healing forherself,shewastotally,one-hundred-percenthealed!Thenshecouldwalktochurchonherownandgowherevershewantedto!

That could have happened two years before, but you see, Icouldn’tcarryheronmyownfaith.Shehadtobewillingtogothroughthedoorofhealingherself.Dearfriend,thesameistrueforyouandme.Whetheritisthe

doorofhealing,salvation,utterance,service,orwhateverGodhasprovidedforus,everyoneofuswillhavetoenterthroughthosedoorsforourselves!

We can help one another, of course. For example, anotherbelievercancome intoagreementwith you inprayer for yourhealing;otherscanjointheirfaithwithyours.Andtheycanhelptoinspireyourfaith.

But theycan’tgo through thedoorofhealing foryou. JesusHimselfcan’tgothroughthedoorforyoueither.Hesaid,“...behold,IhavesetbeforeTHEEanopendoor...”(Rev.3:8).In other words, Jesus was saying, “I’ve done My part. I’ve

alreadypaidtheprice,andI’veopenedthedoorforyou.Nowitis up to you to go through it.” In the same verse, He evenadded,“Nomancanshutthatdooronyou!”

YouCanShuttheDoorofHealingonYourself

Ofcourse,werecognizethatJesusistheOnewhoopensandshutsdoors.Butwhenyoudonotenteranopendoor,youareineffectshuttingthedoortothatblessing.Therefore,youcanshutthedoorofhealingonyourself.One

wayyoucanforfeityourrightstowhatbelongstoyouinChristisbywronglivingandwrongdoing.

We find an example of this in the Bible. In fact, Paul talksaboutamanintheChurch inCorinthwhowasturnedoverto

Satan for the destruction of his body because he wouldn’trepentandturnawayfromhissin.

Evidently thisman had taken his stepmother away from hisdaddyandwaslivingwithherinopensin.Itissintolivewithaperson of the opposite sex without being married. And,apparently,thismanwascohabitingwithhisstepmother!Today it seems we live in a promiscuous society where

immoralityisaccepted.Butlivingwithsomeoneoftheoppositesexwhenyouarenotmarriedissin,andbelieverswhodothatwilleventuallybejudgedbyGod.

Failure to judgesinandwrongdoingcaneventuallyresult inbelieversbeingturnedovertothedeviliftheyarenotcareful.TheywillforfeittheirrighttotheblessingsofGodthatbelongtothem.

PaulsaidhewassurprisedthattheChurchatCorinthhadn’tdoneanythingaboutthissituation.

1CORINTHIANS5:1–51Itisreportedcommonlythatthereisfornicationamongyou,andsuchfornication as is not somuch as named among theGentiles, that oneshouldhavehisfather’swife.2Andyearepuffedup,andhavenotrathermourned,thathethathathdonethisdeedmightbetakenawayfromamongyou.3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judgedalready,asthoughIwerepresent,concerninghimthathathsodonethisdeed,4InthenameofourLordJesusChrist,whenyearegatheredtogether,andmyspirit,withthepowerofourLordJesusChrist,5TodeliversuchanoneuntoSatanforthedestructionoftheflesh,thatthespiritmaybesavedinthedayoftheLordJesus.

Thismandidn’tjudgehimselfforthesinhewascommitting,sotheLordhadtojudgehim.HewasturnedovertoSatanforthedestructionofhisfleshsothathisspiritwouldbesavedinthedayoftheLord.Later,hedidrepentandgetrightwiththeLord(2Cor.2:6–8).ItisnotGod’sbestthataperson’sfleshisdestroyed,butitsurebeatsgoingtohell.

TheninFirstCorinthianschapter11,Pauldealtwiththeissueof sickness in theChurch.He talked about the Lord’s Supperand said that believers should judge themselves. When theyjudge themselves on sin, theywon’t have to be judgedby theLord.

1CORINTHIANS11:26–3026Forasoftenasyeeatthisbread,anddrinkthiscup,yedoshewtheLord’sdeathtillhecome.27Whereforewhosoevershalleatthisbread,anddrinkthiscupoftheLord,unworthily,shallbeguiltyofthebodyandbloodoftheLord.28ButLETAMANEXAMINEHIMSELF,andsolethimeatofthatbread,anddrinkofthatcup.29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinkethdamnationtohimself,NOTDISCERNINGTHELORD’SBODY.30Forthiscausemanyareweakandsicklyamongyou,andmanysleep.

Paul said, “For this causemany areweak and sickly among

you and many die prematurely.” This is talking about churchpeople—believers—dyingprematurely!Theirspiritswent tobewiththeLord,buttheirbodiesareinthegrave.

However, believers don’t need to die prematurely. That isn’tGod’sbest.Forwhatcausearemanybelieversweakandsicklyanddieprematurely?Because theydon’t examine themselves;they don’t judge themselves on sin. They didn’t judgethemselvestoseewhethertheywerewalkinginlovetowardtheBodyofChrist.Theydidn’texaminethemselvestoseewhetherthey were partaking of the body and blood of the Lord in anunworthymanner.Believers shouldn’t be weak and sickly. However, another

reason believers areweak, sickly, and die prematurely is thattheydon’trightlydiscerntheLord’sbody.

Discerning the Lord’s body has a twofold application. First,believersmustdiscernthefactthatthebreadtheypartakeofattheLord’sSupper isa symbolof thebodyof Jesuswhichwasbrokenfortheirphysicalsustenanceandhealing.BythestripeslaidonJesus’body,theyarehealed(1Peter2:24).

Second, believers must discern that the body of the LordJesusChristisaspiritualbody.Itsmembers—theBodyofChrist—areoneintheLord.Therefore,ifbelieversdon’twalkinlovetowardtheirfellowman,eventuallytheLordwillhavetojudgethemforit.After all, theBible sayswhenwedon’t judge ourselves, the

Lordwilljudgeus.Actually,weopenourselvesuptotheLord’sjudgmentbyourownsinanddisobedience.

Bynotwalking in loveandbynot judgingthemselves,manybelievers can get weak, sickly, and can even die prematurely.Theyarechastenedby theLord, so theywon’tbecondemnedwiththeworld.

GodJudgesSinIrememberthedaysofthegreatHealingRevival.From1947

through1958hereinAmerica,therewasjustawaveofhealing.It seemed it was the easiest thing in theworld to get peoplehealed.

Infact,someevangelistsevensaidtome,“Youknow,BrotherHagin,before thisHealingRevivalbegan, Ineverdidpray forthe sick. I just didn’t feel it was my calling. But during theHealing Revival, I began laying hands on the sick, and I justexperiencedphenomenalsuccess.”

Theydidn’trealize it,but layinghandsonthesickwastheircalling in the sense that the Bible gives that charge to allbelievers. TheGreat Commission says, “. . . lay hands on the

sick,andtheyshallrecover”(Mark16:18).

However, therewasapowerfulanointingofhealing inthosedays. And when people tapped into that anointing by faith,many were healed. This same principle holds true in thenatural.For example, in the natural when the wind blows a certain

direction, ifyouthrowapieceofpaperupintheair, thewindwillpickitupandcarryitalong.

It is the sameway in the spiritual realm. If youwill just gowith theSpirit ofGodwhenHe ismovinga certaindirection,youwillexperiencesuccesstoo.WeneedtomovewiththeHolyGhostwhenHeopensadoor!However,evenduringthisgreatHealing Revival when marvelous healings were taking place,some people forfeited their right to the open door of healingbecauseofsinandwrongdoing.

Forexample,Isawsomeofthemostamazinghealingsinoneevangelist’s meeting that I’ve ever seen. I saw five deaf andmutepeoplegettotallyhealed.Isawcrippledpeoplejustgetupoutofwheelchairsandwalkoffinstantlyhealed.Yet in spiteofall thosemarveloushealings,Godsaid tome,

“You go tell that evangelist that he is not going to livemuchlonger unless he judges himself. The first thing he needs tojudgehimselfoniswalkinginlovetowardhisfellowman.”

Thismanwas thirty-five years old. He didn’t judge himself,andbythetimehewasthirty-eight,hewasdead.

Thensomepeoplesay,“Well,thatjustmeanshealingisn’tforeveryone.”Butthatsimplyisnottrue!Jesusopenedthedoorofhealing

foreveryonebythesacrificeofHimself.Thedooriswideopen.But people can forfeit their rights to God’s promises andprovisionsbynotlivingrightandbynotwalkinginlove.

Well, it is just a whole lot better to walk in love and judgeyourself.Thenyouwon’tbejudgedbytheLord,andyouwillbeabletowalkthroughthatopendoorofhealing.

WhenyoufailtoenterthroughJesus’opendoorsbecauseofsinsuchasdoubt,unbelief,orfailingtowalkinlove—youareineffect shutting the doors on yourself. You are closing yourselfoff from God’s wonderful doors of blessings, provisions, andpromises.Jesus is the Opener, and He works on your behalf to open

doorsforyou!Don’tcloseyourselfofffromthedoorsHeopens!Don’tbeguiltyofhinderingtheworkoftheLordJesusChristinyourlifethroughsinanddisobedience.

Trust the Holy Spirit to help you see and recognize God’s

open doors. You can walk through the doors that God hasalready opened for you! Remember, what God opens, nomancanshut.

Actually,youaretheonlyonewhocanineffectshutthedoorof God’s blessing on yourself. What a pity to shut a doorthroughyourowndisobedience thatGodhasso freelyopenedtoyou!So by faith and obedience, walk through each door and

receivewhatGodhassobountifullyprovidedforyou—includinghealing. Let your life be a testimony to the riches of God’sinheritance in Christ. Then you can boldly proclaim God’sblessingswhereveryougo!

Chapter6

WindowsofHeavenIn the previous chapters, I have emphasized two biblical

truths.First,ChrististheAuthorizedOnewhoopensthedoorsof blessings in our lives. Second, we have a part to play inwhetherornotwereceivethoseblessings.

In teaching these two biblical truths, I have referred to anumber of different symbolic doors or “openings” from theWord of God. But essentially the truths have remained thesame:Godwantstoopendoorsofblessingsinourlives,andwemustreceivethoseblessingsbyfaith.

In this chapter, however, I will refer to a different type ofopeningmentionedinthescripturesinrelationtotheblessingsof God—the windows of Heaven. Although this symbolicopeningisalittledifferentfromthosepreviouslydiscussed,thetruthsarebasicallythesame.

MALACHI3:10–1110Bringyeallthetithesintothestorehouse,thattheremaybemeatinminehouse,andprovemenowherewith, saith theLORDofhosts, if Iwillnotopenyouthewindowsofheaven,andpouryououtablessing,thatthereshallnotberoomenoughtoreceiveit.11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall notdestroythefruitsofyourground;neithershallyourvinecastherfruitbeforethetimeinthefield,saiththeLORDofhosts.

IntheNewInternationalVersionverse10states,“...seeifIwill not throwopen the floodgates of heaven and pour out somuchblessingthatyouwillnothaveroomenoughforit.”

Noticethat theLord is theOnewhoopensthe floodgatesofHeaven,butwehaveaparttoplayinwhetherornotwereceivethoseblessingsinourlives.UnderwhatconditionswillGodopen thosewindows forus?

It’s as we bring our tithes into the storehouse. That is theconditionmentioned inthe firstpartofverse10:“Bringyeallthetithesintothestorehouse,thattheremaybemeatinminehouse....”

Yousee,thereisablessinginconnectionwithpayingtithes,butfirstyoumustdoyourpart—youmustbring theminto thestorehouse.

However,somepeopleseemtothinkthatGodsaid,“Bringthetithes intothestorehouse,andI’llgiveyou justbarelyenoughtogetbyon.ThewindowsofHeavenwillbeclosedtoyou,youwillalmoststarvetodeath,andyourchildrenwillgohungry.”No! That’s not what God said! He said He would bless us

abundantly.Infact,Hepromisedtoblessussomuchthattherewouldn’tberoomenoughtoreceiveHisblessing!

Malachi 3:10 says you have a part to play in getting thewindows of Heaven open. How? By paying your tithes andgivingofferings.GodtoldustoproveHimregardingthetithe.ThisisonescriptureinwhichGodinvitesyoutoproveHimandHisWord.

That’showtogetblessingspoured intoyour life.ButbynotrenderingyourtithestoGod,ineffectyoucanshutthosesamewindowsthatGodintendstobeopentoyou.Before I continue to talk about thewindows ofHeaven and

how to receive the blessings ofGod, Iwant to say somethingaboutthedifferencebetweenthe“open”doorofprovisionthatJesushasalready“setbeforeus”andthedoorsHecontinuestoopen.

I referred to the open door of provision as a symbol of thedoor that the Lord has already opened for us through Hisredemptivework.TheopendoorofGod’sprovisionsisavailablefor the believer to receive because of the finished work ofChrist.TheseprovisionsbelongtothebelieverbecauseofwhatJesushasaccomplishedattheCross. Inotherwords,theopendoorrepresentsall thatGodthroughChristprovided forus inHisgreatsubstitutionarywork.Therefore,thedoorofprovisionisanopendoor.

Two specific open doors of provision thatwe already talkedabout include salvation and the opendoor of healing.But theprovisionsofourredemptionalsoincludefinancialblessings.We see this in the Scriptures. For example, according to

Galatians3:13,“Christhathredeemedusfromthecurseofthelaw, being made a curse for us. . . .” And if you readDeuteronomy 28, you find that the curse of the law not onlyincludedspiritualdeathandphysicaldeath,butitalsoincludedpoverty. This means we are also redeemed from the curse ofpoverty.

Inaddition,Galatians3:14and29tellsusthatChristcametoredeemussothatwemightreceivetheblessingandpromiseofAbraham. That blessing and provision from God not onlyincludes physical and spiritual blessings, but it also includesfinancialandmaterialblessing.1

Therefore, the open door of provision is an open door tofinancialblessing.ItshowsusthetruththatGodthroughChristhasgivenusawayofaccessintotheblessingsofGod.But just because there is an open door to financial and

material blessings does not mean that everyone is going toappropriate what God has provided for them. Therefore, it isimportantthatwelookatthisbiblicalsymbol—thewindowsofHeaven—inorder togetabetterunderstandingofourpart toreceivingtheblessingsofGod.

TithesDefinedSomewouldask,“Whatisthe‘tithe’?”Iwaspreachingabout

tithesinachurchonetime,andafellowasked,“Ties!Whatareyoutalkingabout—crosstiesorneckties?”No,tithesdoesnotrefertoeitheroneofthose!Thetitheisa

tenthofyourincome,anditisholytotheLord.LEVITICUS27:30,3230AndalltheTITHEoftheland,whetheroftheseedoftheland,orofthefruitofthetree,istheLord’s:ITISHOLYUNTOTHELORD....

32 And concerning the TITHE of the herd, or of the flock, even ofwhatsoever passeth under the rod, THE TENTH shall be HOLY UNTOTHELORD.

Also, did you notice that inMalachi 3:10, the Bible says tobringthetithesintothestorehouse.OnefellowcameuptomeafterItaughtonthetithe,andsaid,“Iwouldpaymytithes,butIdon’tknowwherethestorehouseis.”

The“storehouse”simplyrefers to the localchurch.Sowhenthescripturesays,“Bringyeallthetithesintothestorehouse,”it means to bring your tithes to your local church where youworship God. You are to bring your tithes to the spiritualstorehousewhereyoureceiveyourspiritualfoodandblessings.

TithingInstitutedBeforetheLawTherearesomepeoplewhosaythatpayingtithesappliesonly

tothosewholivedundertheLaw.But,actually,morethan700yearsbeforeGodgavetheLawtoMoses,Abrahampaidtithes.Sotithingcan’tbejustsomethingthatwasdoneundertheLaw.

Thenthereareotherpeoplewhosay,“Idon’tbelieveinthattithe-payingbusiness.”

Well,didyoueverstoptothinkthatthedevildoesn’tbelieveinpayingtithestopromotetheworkofGodeither?NeitherdidHitler,Mussolini,orStalin.That’smightybadcompanytobeinagreementwith!Unfortunately,many people justmake excuses because they

don’twanttorenderthetithetoGod.Buttheyaremissingouton the blessing of the tithe because this is the only scripturewhereGodeversaidwecouldproveHimonit!

Thenotherpeoplehaveanotherargumentfornotpayingtheirtithes. They say, “Yes, but paying tithes was for people livingundertheOldTestament;that’snotforuslivingundertheNewTestament.Afterall,youcan’targuewith theNewTestament,anditdoesn’tsayanythingaboutpayingtithes.”I’velookedatthem, and thought, They must not know what the NewTestamentsaysabouttithing!

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself put His approval on tithing.

WhynotjustgetinagreementwithJesus?

JesusEndorsedPayingTithesThere are at least two scriptures to support paying tithes

under theNewCovenant. First of all, we know Jesus putHisendorsementonpayingtithes.TheBiblesaysso.

MATTHEW23:2323Woeuntoyou,scribesandPharisees,hypocrites!forYEPAYTITHEofmintandaniseandcummin,andhaveomittedtheweightiermattersofthelaw,judgment,mercy,andfaith:THESEOUGHTYETOHAVEDONE,andnottoleavetheotherundone.

NoticeJesusdidn’ttakesidesagainstpayingtithes.Also,Hedidn’tsaytitheshadbeendoneawaywith.No,Hesaid,“Youought tohavepaid the tithe,butyoualso

oughtnottohaveomittedjudgment,mercy,andfaith.”

NowlookatHebrews7:8.HEBREWS7:88 And here men that die RECEIVE TITHES; but there he [Jesus]RECEIVETHTHEM,ofwhomitiswitnessedthatheliveth.

I believe this verse applies to Jesus Christ and the NewTestament—the New Covenant. You see, when you pay tithesandgive offerings, somepeople think thatmenhere on earthare the only ones receiving your tithes because it says, “. . .hereMENTHATDIEreceiveTITHES....”

The phrase “men that die” just means human beings. Thatmeansmortalmenreceiveyourtithesonearth.

Butthat’snotallofthatverse.Readtherestofitbecausethewriter of the Book of Hebrews makes a very profoundstatement.Thenextpartoftheversesays,“. . .butthereHEreceiveth

them,ofwhomitiswitnessedthatheliveth”(Heb.7:8).

In our text, Revelation 1:18, Jesus identifiedHimself as theOnewho lives forever.He said, “IAMHETHATLIVETH, andwasdead;and,behold,Iamaliveforevermore....”

Therefore, even though it looks like men are the ones whoreceive our tithes here on earth, actually, it is the One wholivethforevermorewhoultimatelyreceivesthem.Atoneofmymeetings,afellowsaidtome,“Well,Iwouldn’t

mindpayingmytithestoJesus,butIcan’tgetuptherewhereHe is. Iwouldn’tmindbringingmy tithes into thestorehouse,but how am I supposed to get up there toHeavenwhere thestorehouseis?”

I told that fellow,“Jesus is theHeadofHisChurch.AndHisChurch isHisBody—theBodyofChrist.TheBodyofChrist ishereonthisearth.

“Therefore, you can’t pay tithes to JesusChrist theHead oftheChurchwithoutpaying tithes through themembersofHisBodyonthisearth.

“For example, you couldn’t pay my head one single dimewithoutmyhandreceivingitfirst.Well,myhandisamemberofmybody.“Therefore, ifyougiveyourtithetoJesus, first it isgoingto

havetogotoHisBodyonthisearthbecausetheBodyofChristiscarryingoutthewillofJesusChristtheHeadoftheChurchonthisearth.”

TheBibleisverysimpleifwewilljusttakeitforwhatitsays.But,yousee,sometimeswejusttrytogetarounddoingwhatitsaysbymakingexcusesforourselves.

GodSays,‘ProveMeontheTithe’NoticesomethingelseGodsaidinMalachi3:10.Hesaid,“...

PROVEMEnowherewith,saiththeLORDOFHOSTS....”

DoyourealizethatthisistheonlyscripturewhereGodeversaid,“ProveMe”?Infact,theonlyareasinwhichGodeversaidtoproveHimaretithes,offerings,andgiving.

Heinvitesustoprovethisscriptureout.Hesays,“Bringthetithes intothestorehouseandproveMewith it.See if Iwon’topenyouthewindowsofHeaven.”Nowremember,thereisaGod-wardsideandaman-wardside

to receiving theblessingsofGod. Inotherwords, it takesourworkingtogetherwithGodtogetthosewindowsofHisblessingopen.Whenwegive,GodisfaithfultoopenupthewindowsofHeaven.

The Bible sayswhatGod opens noman can shut. The devilcan’tshutthosewindowsofblessingsonyou.YouaretheonlyonewhocanshutyourselfofffromthewindowsofHeaven,andyoudothatwhenyourefusetogiveofyourfinancesandwalkinobediencetotheWord.

Yousee,ontheman-wardside,thereissomethingwemustdoif we want to enter God’s open doors of blessings or get thewindows of Heaven open. Many people are trying to receiveGod’s financial and material blessings with the windows ofHeavenclosed.Whyare thewindowsclosed for somepeople?Becausetheyhaven’tdonetheirpartthroughtheirgivingtogetthewindowsofHeavenopenandkeepthemopen.Andsomepeoplearenotlivingright,soGodcan’thonortheir

giving;thewindowsremainclosed.TheycanconfesstheWordandbelieveGodalltheywantto,butaslongasthewindowsareclosed, the blessings can’t come. That’s often where theproblemis.

Folks want God to bless them financially. They want to beincreased. And God wants to bless them financially andmaterially. That’swhat this verse says, “I will pour you out ablessingthatthereshallnotberoomenoughtoreceiveit”(Mal.3:10). But if people aren’t living right, God can’t honor theirgiving.

ObedienceandOpenWindowsofHeavenYousee,sometimespeoplemistakenlygettheideathatfaith

can just do everything! Don’t misunderstand me! I’m notputtingdownfaith;IteachfaithintheBibleandinGod.

But ifweonly teach faith,wecan leave the impression thatfaithisallthatisnecessaryinthisChristianwalk.

Friend,faithisnottheonlythingthatisnecessarytoreceivethe abundance of God’s blessings. Faith and obedience openGod’s doors of blessings. For example, just standing on faithconfessionsalonewillnotopenthewindowsofHeaven!Youaregoingtohavetoputsomeactionandobediencetoyourfaith.Faith is involved in getting thewindows ofHeaven open, of

course.Butyouwon’tgetthewindowsofHeavenopen justbyconfessingthattheyareopen.Inotherwords,Mark11:23alonewillnotopenthewindowsofHeaven.

MARK11:2323 . . . whosoever shall SAY unto this mountain, Be thou

removed,andbethoucast intothesea;andshallnotdoubtinhis heart, but shall believe that those thingswhich he SAITHshallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverheSAITH.

You can’t get the windows of Heaven open just by saying,“Windows of Heaven, be open!” You must put somecorrespondingactiontoyourfaithbybeingadoeroftheWord.YouwillhavetoobeywhattheWordhastosayaboutgiving.Well,whatdoestheWordsay?Itsaystobringthetithesinto

thestorehouse.Inotherwords,youhaveapartingettingthosewindows open—there is something youmust do. In this case,yourcorrespondingactionistorenderyourtithesandthengiveofferings.

FaithisrightandfaithintheWordworks.But,yousee,somefolksjustemphasizecertainpartsoffaithtothepointthatsomebelievers think that that’s all that is necessary to succeed inGod.Theydon’tliveright,yettheyexpecttheirfaithtoworkforthem.Butthat’snotinlinewiththewholecounselofGod.GodhonorsallofHisWord—notjustafewselectscripturesonfaith.

ObedienceandtheWindowsofHeavenTherefore, even though Jesus has opened all these doors of

blessing, provision, and opportunity for us, it takes faith and

obedience to walk through those doors. It takes obedience totheWord.

TheBiblesays,“Beloved,ifourheartcondemnusnot,THENhaveweconfidencetowardGod” (1 John3:21).Wecouldreadthis verse like this: “If your heart condemns you, your faithwon’twork.”Yourfaithwon’tworkwhenyouareoutoftunewithHeaven

oroutoftunewithyourfellowman.Itwillbefeeble.ButifyouwalkinthelightasHeisinthelightandyouwalkinfellowshipwithothers,thenyourfaithwillbeeffective.

1JOHN1:7

7 But IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT, as he is in the light, we havefellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Soncleansethusfromallsin.

Noticethatthisversedoesnotsay,“IfwewalkinthelightasHe is in the light,wehave fellowshipwith thosewewant to.”No,ifyouarenothavingfellowshipwithfolksbecauseofstrife,unforgiveness,andlackoflove,thenyouarenotwalkinginthelight.

I decided a long time ago that I am going to love everyonewhetherornottheyloveme.Theymaynotbeinfellowshipwithme,butIaminfellowshipwiththem.Yousee,failuretowalkinloveshutsthewindowsofGod’sblessings.

I want to emphasize this thought. God tells you that if youwant the windows of Heaven open, He will open them if youmeetcertainconditions.Whataretheconditionstobemet?Youmustwalk inobediencetoHisWordbybringingthetithe intothe storehouse. That’s your responsibility. Then you mustcontinue towalk in linewithHisWordtokeepthosewindowsopen.In otherwords, you can say that through your obedience to

theWord, youget thewindowsofHeavenopened in your lifeandyoukeepthemopen.

Therefore,youhaveaparttoplay ingettingthewindowsofHeavenopen,andGodhasHispart.ButGodisalwaysfaithfultofulfillHispart!

So the question is—are you going to be faithful to do yourpart? Through your disobedience, you can in effect shut thewindowsofHeavenonyourself.Remember that Malachi 3:10 invites you to prove God

concerningthetithe.MALACHI3:1010Bringyeallthetithesintothestorehouse,thattheremaybemeatinminehouse,andprovemenowherewith,saiththeLordofhosts,ifIwillnotopenyouthewindowsofheaven,andpouryououtablessing,thatthereshallnotberoomenoughtoreceiveit.

Youmaynotknowalotaboutfaith,butyoucanstillobeyGodby walking in the light you do have and bringing His Wordbefore Him. So continue to take God at His Word, get thosewindowsofHeavenopen,andkeepthemopen!

RebukingtheDevourerIn this passage on tithing, Malachi 3:11 shows that God is

talkingaboutfinancialandmaterialblessing.Itsays,“AndIwillrebukethedevourerforyoursakes,andheshallnotdestroythefruitsofyourground...”(Mal.3:11).

PeoplemadetheirlivinginMalachi’stimebythefruitoftheirgroundandbytheyieldoftheirvineyards.Theversealsogoesontosay,“.. .neithershallyourvinecastherfruitbeforethetime in the field,saith theLordofhosts.”Yousee,partof theblessing of the tithe is that God promised to rebuke thedevourerforoursakes.

I knewamanpersonally,BrotherS________,whom IworkedforparttimewhenIfirststartedpreachingoutinthecountry.You wouldn’t think it just to look at him and talk to him

becauseheworkedeverydayjustashardasanyonedid,buthewasaverywealthyman.

Hewasworthprobablyoneor twomilliondollars.Thismannotonlyhadalotofmoney,healsoownedhousesandlands.

The windows of Heavenwere open in thisman’s life.Whatwas the secret of his success? I personally asked him thatquestion.I’dheardhisstoryfromothers,butIwantedtohearitfromhimfirsthand,soIaskedhimthesecretofhissuccess.Brother S________ said tome, “Brother Kenneth, I’ll tell you

exactly how I got started. I didn’t have anythingmuch. Iwasjusta farmer. Ihada farm,but itwasn’tevenpaidfor.ThenIleasedsomeadditionallandthatIwasworkingtoo.

“I supported the church; I gave liberally. Actually,we didn’thavea lotofneeds in thechurch.Wehadanewbrickchurchbuilding,andthechurchwaswellofffinancially.Butonedayamissionary came to our church who needed financial supportforaspecialproject.

“I knew something about the missionary through somefriends,and Idecided togive toward thisneed. Ididn’t reallyhaveanykindof leadingatallaboutgiving to thismissionaryproject.IjustgavebyfaithbecauseIbelievedGod,andIknewthismissionaryhadagreatneed.”NowthiswasinTexas,andinthosedayscottonwasking.In

otherwords,cottonwasthemajorcrop.Butfarmersdidn’thaveall the sprays and insecticides they’ve got now, so the bollweevildestroyedmanyacrop.Thebollweevilisaninsectthat

attacks the cotton boll. In those days, sometimes completecottonfieldsweredestroyedbythisinsect.

ButdoyouknowwhathappenedtothefarmandthelandthatBrother S________ was working? The boll weevils destroyedeverybodyelse’scrop,buttheyjustpiledupagainsthisfence!Theynevergotonhisland.That’sahistoricalfact!Yousee,inregardtotithing,theBiblesaysinMalachi3:11,“I

will rebuke the devourer for your sake.” God rebuked thedevourer for Brother S________! Why? Because he not onlytithedandbelievedGodfortheblessingofthetithe,buthealsogaveliberalofferings.

Iheardaboutthisincidentasalittleboy.PeoplealloverweretalkingabouthowallthosebollweevilsjuststackedupallalongBrotherS________’sfence!IheardaboutthisbeforeIevermetBrotherS________.

OnSundays,people fromallaroundthatpartof thecountrywould drive out there to see that. It looked like a parade ofpeoplepassingbyBrotherS________’sfarmandhisland.Peoplealmostcouldn’tbelievewhattheysaw!Brother S________ didn’t have any chemicals or sprays or

anything to fight against the boll weevil, yet his fields stillproducedabountifulcropthatyear.Infact,hemademorethan$100,000thatyearalone!

Whydoyousupposethathappened?BecauseGodhonoredhisgiving. Brother S________ not only tithed, but he also gaveliberallyinofferings.GodalwayshonorsfaithinHisWord.

Idon’tknowaboutyou,but I just likethewayMalachi3:10reads:“Bring the tithes into the storehouse, and I’ll open thewindowsofHeavenandpouryououtablessing.”GlorytoGod!AccordingtothemarginnotesofmyBible,intheHebrew,the

word “pour” is translated to empty out a blessing. In otherwords,Godwillemptyout orpourout a blessing on you thatthereshallnotberoomenoughforyoutoreceive!

Imagine getting blessed so much that you’d have to say,“Lord,Ican’ttakeanymoreblessing!Justturnitoff.There’snoroomtoreceiveanymoreblessing!”Inthisverse,Godistalkingaboutpouringoutuponyoumaterialandfinancialblessings.

Somefolkssay,“Well,I’mgoingtogetblessedlikethat!”andtheygivejustfromanatural,selfishstandpoint.Theonlyreasontheygiveisinordertogetblessed.Well,thatkindofgivingisnotgoingtoworkiftheattitudeoftheirheartisn’tright.Nomatterhowmuchpeoplegiveorhow faithfully theypay

their tithes, if people give just to consume the blessing uponthemselves,it’snotgoingtowork.Why?Becausetheyareover

intheareaofselfishness.

You see, we’ve all heard a lot of preaching against sin. Forexample, people preach against lying, stealing, cheating,robbing,andsoforth.Anditistrue,allthosethingsarewrong.But,myfriend,wrongmotivesare justaswrong,andGodwilljudgeHispeopleonthemotivesoftheirheartstoo!

1Forfurtherstudyonredemption,seeRev.KennethE.Hagin’sbook,RedeemedFromPoverty,Sickness,andSpiritualDeath.

Chapter7

MotivesandGivingYearsago,anevangelistIknewkeptsayingtome,“Youought

towriteabook!Youcouldreallymakemoney!”

Becausehesaidthis,itwasyearsbeforeIactuallydidwriteabook.IknewthatifIeverwroteabooktomakemoney,IwouldbeintroublewiththeLord.IdidnotwanttowriteabookuntilIwasabsolutelycertain that Iwasonlydoing it tohelppeople.Thathadtobemyonlymotive.

Godpromisedtoblessus,andweneedtoknowthat.Weneedtorememberandbelievethat,butsometimesthereisafinelinethathastodowiththemotivesofourheart.Actually,asfaraswe are concerned, we can close the windows of Heaven onourselvesifourmotivescontinuetobeimpure.Firstofall,peopleoughttogivebecausetheylovetheLord!

TheyshouldgivebecausetheylovesoulsandwanttopromotetheKingdomofGodandtheworkofGod.

They should be able to say, “I’m going to give to help andbenefitothersevenifIneverreceiveanythinginreturn.”Whenpeople can make that statement of commitment, they knowtheir motives are pure. And when people do give from puremotivesandtheybelieveGodandlovetheLord,Godwillhonortheirgiving.

PureMotivesBringPromotioninGodI’ve seen people just be blessed financially through their

giving even though they didn’t know much about faith orbelievingGod.Buttheylivedright,andtheirmotivesforgivingwere pure. They wanted to bless people and promote theKingdomofGod.

Forexample,IrememberonefellowinparticularwhowasaministerbackintheDepressiondaysinthe’30s.Heknewverylittle about faith as such, yethebecamewealthy.Althoughhedidn’tknowit,hewasactuallyactingonfaithprinciples.

ThiswasinDepressiondays.You’vegottorealizethatduringthe Depression, men would work all day long—not just eighthours,butfromsunupuntilsundown—toearn$1.AndwhenIstartedpreaching, thereweremenwith families

inmy churchwhomade$37.50amonth.Thatwas their totalsalaryforthewholemonth!

Theywouldpaytheirhouserent,utilities,anyotherexpenses,andfeedtheirfamiliesonthatsalary!

Ofcourse,thingswerelessexpensivebackthen.Forexample,

youcouldbuyaCadillacfor$700or$800.YoucouldbuyaFordforabout$400.Youcouldbuyaloafofbreadforanickel,andagallonofgasolinecostanickel.

Inthosedaystoimpresstheirgirlfriends,fellowswoulddriveup to the gasoline pump, and say, “Fill ’er up!” At the sametime, they’d hold their hand out the window where the girlcouldn’tseeit,andjustholduponefingertoshowthegasolineattendanttheyreallywantedjustonegallonofgasoline!Thatwould really impressa fellow’sgirlfriendbecause folks

didn’thavemuchmoneyinthosedays.Afellowwouldbedoingwelltobeabletobuyawholetankofgasolineatonetime!

Anyway,thisministerIknewsaidsomethingprofoundtome.He said, “Brother Hagin, I really don’t know much aboutexercising faith. For instance, I really don’t know how toexercisemyfaithtogethealed.Buteveninthetryingtimesofthe Depression, I always owned a brand-new automobile. Infact,Iwasneverwithoutanewcar.”

Hesaid,“Financiallyspeaking,myfamilyneversufferedeventhoughwepastoredsomesmallchurches.Weonlyran60or70people on Sunday morning, but we never went withoutfinancially.We always lived in a nice house and had plenty toeat;weneversufferedfinancially.”WhydidhealwayshaveplentyeveninDepressiondays?Why

washealwayswellprovidedforevenwhenothersexperiencedlackandwentwithout?BecausehealwayskeptthewindowsofHeavenopeninhislife.How?Henotonlypaidhistithes,buthewasagreatgiver.

Thinkaboutit!Thisministeralwaysdroveanewcar.Heworenew clothes. He lived in the best of homes, and his familyalwaysdressedinthebest—eveninDepressiondays!Heneverhad financial problems even though many times he pastoredsmallchurches.

But he tithed and gave generously to advance the work ofGod. That was the secret of his success. He put himself inpositiontoreceivetheblessingsofGod.

TheManWhoBecameaMillionaireinDepressionDays

I knew another fellow down in Texas who never did getbeyondthefifthgradeineducation.Hedroppedoutofschooltogotowork.Heneverworeapairofshoesuntilhewastwelveyearsold.Hisfolksweresopoor,theylivedinalittleone-roomcabindownineastTexas.

Asachild,thisfellowneverownedanystore-boughtclothes.His Momma would take clothes other people gave her and

remakethemforhim.Andinthefalloftheyear,shewouldtakeacotton feed-sackandmakehimapairofbritches towear toschool.

Butdoyouknowthatwhenthismangrewup,hemadeitbigandwasworthmorethanamilliondollarsinDepressiondays!That was practically unheard of. I mean, back in Depressiondays when times were hard, if you had amillion dollars, youwerereallyrich.Thereweren’tmanyrichfolksaround.Doyouknowhowhegotthere?Iknewthefellowpersonally,

and I talked tohimabout it.Hedidn’tknowverymuchaboutfaith,buthedidknowalittlebitaboutit.

However,heknewhowtogetGodtoopenupthewindowsofHeavenbyobeyingtheWordongiving.HegotthewindowsofHeaven opened up early in his life, and those windows wereneverclosedonhim.Why?Becausehekept themopenbyhisgiving.

OnGod’sside,GodkeptthemopenbecausethismanobeyedHisWordongiving(Mal.3:10;Luke6:38).AndtheBibledoespromiseusareturnonourgiving.

PROVERBS3:9–10(AMPLIFIED)9 Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteouslabors],andwiththeFIRSTFRUITS[tithe]ofallyourincome;

10SOSHALLYOURSTORAGEPLACESBEFILLEDWITHPLENTY,andYOURVATSBEOVERFLOWINGWITHNEWWINE.

Godpromised to fill our storageplaceswithplenty!Hesaidour vats would be overflowing with new wine. I don’t knowaboutyou,butIwanttheabundancetheLordpromises!You see,Godhas toldus exactlyhow toget thewindowsof

Heaven open! It’s through our giving to the work of God. InMalachi, God even promised that He would pour us out ablessing in such a measure that there would hardly be roomenoughtocontainit.

Goddoesn’tmakeemptypromises.WhatHehassaid inHisWord,He is able to perform (Rom. 4:21). The Bible also saysthatGod isnotaman thatHeshould lie.He is faithful toHisWord.

NUMBERS23:1919Godisnotaman,thatheshouldlie;neitherthesonofman,thatheshouldrepent:HATHHESAID,ANDSHALLHENOTDOIT?orHATHHESPOKEN,ANDSHALLHENOTMAKEITGOOD?

Since God’s Word is true and can be depended upon, thenlet’sbedoersoftheWordsowecangetthosewindowsopen!

GivingtothePoorNow this man down in Texas who became a millionaire in

Depression days didn’t give generously just to get. He didn’t

haveastingy,graspyattitude,giving just togeteverythinghecould.

No,thatfellowwasoneofthemostgenerouspersonsIhaveevermetinmylife.Wheneverhewouldseeanyoneinneed,healwayshelpedthem.Hegavegenerouslybecausehewantedtosee thework ofGodpromoted and advanced. In otherwords,hismotivesforgivingwerepure.Sonotonlydidherenderhistithesandgiveofferings,buthe

wasagreatone togive to thepoor.HebelievedandstoodonthepromiseofProverbschapter19.

PROVERBS19:17(AMPLIFIED)17HewhohaspityonthePOORlendstotheLord,andthatwhichhehasgivenHEWILLREPAYTOHIM.

SometimesIthinkbelieversreadthisverse,“HewholendstotheLord,theLordwilljustforgetaboutit.”No!That’snotwhattheBiblesays.TheLordwilldowhat?TheLordwillrepayhim.The Bible also said, “He that hath a bountiful eye shall beblessed...”(Prov.22:9).Yousee,givingtothepoorisoverandabovegivingtithesand

offerings.Don’ttakeyourtithesandgivethemtothepoor.Yourtithebelongsinthestorehouse—inyourlocalchurchhome.Butthenafter youhavegiven to your church, theBible also talksaboutgivingalmstothepoor.

LUKE12:3333Sellthatyehave,andGIVEALMS;provideyourselvesbagswhichwaxnot old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thiefapproacheth,neithermothcorrupteth.

TheBible says that if you give to the poor, you are actuallylendingtotheLord.AndtheLordwillrepayyou.ThisisoneofthewaystokeepthosewindowsofHeavenopeninyourlife.

BewareofConArtistsTheBibletalksaboutgivingtothepoor.Butgivingtothepoor

doesn’tmeangivingtofolkswhojustpretendtohaveaneedinordertoconmoneyoutofpeople.Wecallthem“panhandlers”and“conartists.”

Somepeoplejustliveoffeveryoneelse.Ifyouletthem,folkslike that will sponge off you. God will reveal those kinds ofpeople toyou.Godnever saidawordaboutgivingconartistsanything.Therearereligiousconartistswhowill trytoconChristians

out of anything they can. But that is not what this verse inProverbs19:17istalkingabout.Itistalkingaboutpeoplewithbona-fideneeds.

You see,when you are reallywalking by faith, you don’t goaround telling everyone your needs. Other people aren’t the

oneswhoaresupposedtoopenthewindowsofHeavenforyou!Godis!Andyoumakeitpossiblebyyourtithingandgiving.

I have never in my life told others about my own personalfinancial needs or even suggested I needed anything. I justbelievedGodforit.RealfaithisbelievingthatGodaloneisyourSource.Nowasfarasministryisconcerned,itisallrighttoletpeople

know about a project or aministry need and let them give iftheywantto(1Cor.16;2Cor.9).Butit’snotrighttopressurepeopleintogiving.

Youdon’tlooktopeopletoopendoorsandwindowsofGod’sblessings for you. Jesus is yourOpener!God very clearly tellsyouinHisWordhowtogetthosewindowsofHeavenopenforyourself. It is God’s will that you learn how to get thosewindowsopenyourself.YoudoitbyyourobediencetowhattheWordsaysaboutgivingandyoukeepthemopenbylivingright.

One ditch some people have fallen into is they have theimpression that no matter how they live or whether or notthey’vedealtwith sin in their life, if they’ll justgive,Godwillmultiplytheirgivingandgivebacktothem.No,Hewon’t.GodhonorsallofHisWord,notjustapartofit.

TithingandgivingisonesideofgettingthewindowsofHeavenopen.Butthereisanothersidetoit.Youstillhavetoliveright;youstillhavetowalkinloveandliveaccordingtotheprinciplesin God’s Word. You won’t get very far in God without livingright.

GALATIANS6:77 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for WHATSOEVER A MANSOWETH,thatshallHEALSOREAP.

Now Paul didn’t write this verse to sinners. He wrote it toChristians.PaulwastellingChristiansnottobedeceivedaboutGod’slawsofsowingandreaping.Whatsoeveramansows,thatshallhealsoreap.Now the lawof sowingand reapingapplies ineveryareaof

life,notjustinthefinancialarea.Butitiscertainlytruethatifyousowfinances,youwillreapareturn.

Ill-GottenRichesWon’tLastThere are some folks who thought that God was going to

prosper them, so they sowed their finances just for thatpurpose. But they weren’t living right. In fact, they got whatmoneytheyhadbybeingcrooked.Thentheysaid,“I’mgoingtoputthismoney intheoffering,

andGodwillhonoritbecauseIheardthepastorsayGodhonorsgiving.” But God didn’t honor it. God honors it when peoplewalk intherevealed lightofHisWord ineveryarea.Aperson

can’t expect God to honor his giving when he consciouslycontinuestoviolateGod’sWordinotherareas.

Forexample, Iknowoneman,anditdoesn’tsoundbignow,butmanyyearsagowhenmoneywasstillmoney,thismanwasa millionaire. When you had that much money back then, itcould possibly be like being a billionaire today. He was verywealthy.Ivisitedhiminhishome.Helivedinapalatialhomeforthe

day—I mean way beyond what anybody else owned. And inthose days not toomany people droveMercedes, Lincolns, orCadillacs. But both he and his wife each owned their ownpersonalluxurycar.

Their son and daughter each had their own personal luxurycar too.He also owned a private jet, and hewas very liberalaboutgiving.Yethisprosperitydidn’tlast;helosteverythinghehad.

Well,whydidn’thisprosperity last?Afterall,hedidpayhistithes.Andhegaveliberalofferings.But,yousee,manyofhisbusiness deals just weren’t quite right. In other words, theywerecrooked,oratleastjustalittleunethicalorillegal.Therefore,hewasn’t inapositionspiritually to receive from

God.Godcouldn’thonorhisgiving.

Well, that affected him spiritually, and it affected himfinancially and materially. It even affected him physically. Heandhiswifewerebothsick.

So, you see, the whole package goes together, doesn’t it?Tithingandgivingofferingsget thewindowsofHeavenopen,but you also have to live right to be in a position soGod canblessyou.Canyouseethat?DowninTexasyearsago,Ialsoknewanotherfellow.Inoticed

he never had anything in life. The soles of his shoes werealwayswornout.Heneverseemedtohaveadimeinhispocket.Ibegantowatchthisfellow’slifetoseewhyhewasalwayssodestitute.Hejustneverseemedtoprosperinanything.

I found out that this fellow was really a religious con. Hewouldintentionallygetclosetopeopleheknewwhohadmoney.Forexample,onSundaynights,weusedtocloseourservicesbygatheringaroundthealtartopray.

Thisparticularmanwouldgetaroundthosepeopleheknewwhohadmoney,andhe’dprayoutloud:“Lord,Youcanseethesolesofmyshoesarewornout.ThesearetheonlyshoesIhave.Oh, Lord! Lay it on someone’s heart to buyme a newpair ofshoes.”Well, very often the person praying at the altar next to him

would look at the man’s shoes, and sure enough, they werewornout.Thepersonwouldfeelsorryforhim,sohe’dbuyhima pair of shoes. Then the fellow would go away saying, “TheLordmetmyneed!”

Actually,heliedaboutit.TheLordwasn’ttheonewhomethisneeds. He conned people into meeting his needs! That’s notfaith.Hedidn’texerciseanyfaithatall.Thatwasn’tanexampleofthewindowsofHeavenbeingopenedtohim.Andhewasn’tadoeroftheWord.Hewasreallyjustfoolingpeopleintobuyingthingsforhim.Thismanwouldalsogovisitrevivalmeetingswhereheknew

there were people in that church who had money, and he’dmakesurehegotaroundthem.

When they went to the altar to pray as the custom was inthosedays,hewouldmakesurehegot rightbeside themandprayedout loud: “Lord,Youcansee thatmysuit isall frayed.It’stheonlyoneI’vegot.Lord,layitonsomeone’shearttobuymeanewsuit.”

Whensomekindpersonwouldoffertobuyhimasuit,he’dgooff saying, “My faith is really working!” But his faith wasn’tworkingatall.Hewaslying.Ifhehadreallybeenusinghisfaith,hecouldhaveclaimeda

newsuitoranewpairofshoesinprivatesothatonlyGodknewabout it. And if he had been living right and had based hispetitionontheWord,hewouldhavereceivedhisanswertoo!

Friend,whenyouarewalkingbyfaith,youdon’thavetoconpeopleintogivingtoyou.YougivebecauseyoulovetheworkofGod.WhenyourgivingandyourfaithlineupwiththeWordofGod, thenyou’re inapositiontoreceiveGod’sbest!Andevenwhenyoudon’thaveadime,youcankeepasmileonyourfaceandkeepshoutingthevictory.

I know. I’ve been there. Many times I just acted like I hadplenty of money. I didn’t tell anyone I didn’t have a dime,becausemyfaithwasinGodandHisWord.Yousee,IknewthatJesusistheOnewhoopensthewindows

ofHeaven.HeistheOnewhosuppliesallmyneeds,soIdon’tacknowledgemyneed toman; I acknowledge Jesus’ abundantsupply.

Actually, thismanwasaprofessionalmoocher.Once I foundoutwhathewasdoing,Iwatchedhislife.Doyouknowthatinthe natural, he never did have anything. And he neverprosperedspiritually.

Yousee,youcan’tprosperwhenyouaredishonest.Godwon’topen the windows of Heaven and pour you out His financialblessingswhenyouarecheatingotherpeople!

Thismanwasn’tlivingalifeofgivingbecausehelovedtogivetotheworkofGod.Hismotiveswereallwrong.HowcouldGodopenthewindowsofHeavenforhim?Hecouldn’t.Asweusedtosay,thismanwasn’tliving“underthespoutwheretheglorycomesout”!

Inotherwords,hewasn’t living in theblessingsofGod.Hewaslivinginthesoulishrealm,motivatedbytheflesh.HewasreallylivinginsinbecausehewasalwaystryingtocontheBodyofChristintogivingtohim.Butallhisemptyprayersdidn’tmoveGod’shandofblessing

onhis life, becauseGod can’t putHis approval ondishonesty.Therefore,thewindowsofHeavenwereneveropenedtohim.

On the other hand, remember this otherminister I told youaboutwhopastoredsmallchurchesyetprosperedgreatly?Hereally was walking by faith, whether he knew about all theprinciplesoffaithornot.

Hewaswalkingbyfaithbecausehewaswalkinginobedienceto theWord, particularly in the area of giving. And theWordworked for him. Therefore, the windows of Heaven could beopenedinhislife.Andhelearnedhowtokeepthemopen.WeneedtogettotheplaceinourfaithwherewebelieveGod

iswhoHesaysHeisandthatGodwilldowhatHesaysHewilldo.AndthenwemustobeytheWordandwalkinthelight.

Also,weneedtobelievethatwearewhoGodsaysweareandthatwecandowhatGodsayswecando.OnethingwecandoisobeyGod’sWordsotheblessingsofGodcanbepouredoutinourlives.WhenweobeyGod’sWord,GodwillhonorusbecauseHehonorsHisWord(1Sam.2:30).

If you’ve got the windows of Heaven open in your life, itdoesn’tmatterwhathappensinthisworld.Nomatterhowbadinflation gets orwhether there is a recession, thewindows ofHeavenwillstillbeopeninyour life. Isawthat inthe livesofthesetwomenwhoprosperedthatItoldyouabout.I’msogladIlearnedhowtogetthewindowsofHeavenopen!

And do you know what? The devil can’t shut the windows ofHeaven! Oh, he’ll try to, but he can’t shut them. But yourdisobediencecanshutthem.

What’smore,nomancanshut thewindows or floodgatesofHeavenanymorethanmancanshutanydoorthatJesusopensforyou.WhatGodopens,nomancanshut—whetheritisadoororawindow.

You are the only one who can close yourself off from thewindowsordoorsofHeaven.Throughdisobedienceandfailingtowalk in the lightof theWordofGod,youcan ineffectshutthedoorsandwindowsonyourself.

So let’s get thewindows ofHeaven open in our lives sowecanenjoytheblessingsofGodandbeablessingtohumanity!Let’slearnthesecretofobeyingGodingiving,andthenwatchHimopenthewindowsofHeaven!

Chapter8

OfferingsOpentheWindowsofHeaven

GivingofferingsisonewayweobeyGodsoHecanopenthewindowsofHeaven.Notice the full context of thatpassage inMalachi chapter 3.Godwasnot just speaking of tithes but ofofferingstoo.

MALACHI3:8–98WillamanrobGod?Yetyehaverobbedme.Butyesay,Whereinhavewerobbedthee?InTITHESandOFFERINGS.9 Ye are cursedwith a curse: for ye have robbedme, even thiswholenation.

Evidently the Israelites had neglected their tithes andofferingsbecauseGodsaidtothem:“You’verobbedMeintithesandofferings.”ThenHesaid,“Yearecursedwithacurse:foryehaverobbedme....”

Well,wedon’twanttobeunderacursebecausewe’verobbedGod in our tithes and offerings. We want to walk in theblessingsofthoseopenwindowsofHeaven!

Yousee,wearesupposedtogivetoGodbothintithesandinofferings.The tithebelongs toGod (Mal. 3:10).Once I rendermytithes,thenIconsidermyofferingstobegivingtoGod.

Thank God, we have something to do with getting thewindowsofHeavenopen inour livesaswe livedownhereonthisearth.

Get thosewindows ofHeaven open and keep them open soyoucanreceivetheblessingsofGod!

GiveandItShallBeGivenUntoYouNow look for a moment at a New Testament verse about

giving thatwe often quote. It certainly does apply to us. AndJesusHimselfsaidit.

LUKE6:3838 Give, and it shall be given unto you; GOOD MEASURE, PRESSEDDOWN,andSHAKENTOGETHER,andRUNNINGOVER,shallmengiveintoyourbosom.ForWITHTHESAMEMEASURETHATYEMETEwithalITSHALLBEMEASUREDTOYOUAGAIN.

Thisverse says that if yougive, itwillbegivenback toyougood measure. But that verse doesn’t stop there. Notice howyourblessingwill be returned to you:Not just goodmeasure,butpresseddown,shakentogether,andrunningover!

ThatsoundsliketheblessingsofthetitheinMalachi,doesn’tit? Malachi 3:10 says there would not be room enough toreceiveorcontaintheblessingsofGod.

HereinLuke,we’retoldtheblessingswillbepresseddown,

shakentogether,andrunningover.BothofthosescripturesaredescribinganabundanceoftheLord’sblessings.

Thatsoundsgood,doesn’tit?ButLuke6:38doesn’tevenstopthere. Then it continues, saying, “. . . For with the samemeasurethatyemetewithalitshallbemeasuredtoyouagain”!Therefore,youhavesomethingtodowiththemeasurethatisgivenbacktoyou!

IrememberthatononeoccasionIwaspreachinginTexas.Afriend of mine who lived in the particular city where I washoldingthemeetingcontactedmeandaskedmetocomebyhishousebeforetheservice.

I stopped by his house, and in the course of ourfellowshipping together, he handed me a one-hundred-dollarbill. In fact, on two different occasions during the time I waspreaching in that city, thismangavemeanofferingof aone-hundred-dollarbilleachtime.

You have to realize that back then, people didn’t givehundred-dollar bills away because most people didn’t havehundred-dollar bills! You very seldom even received a five- orten-dollar bill in an offering. In those days, offerings mostlyconsistedofone-dollarbillsorchange.

Anyway,thismandidn’tsaymuchaboutit,excepttoexplain,“BrotherHagin,Igivemytithestomyownchurch,sothisisn’tpart ofmy tithe. I justwant to give you an offering over andabovemytithe.”

Thenasweweredriving to thechurch,heaskedme,“HaveyoueverpreachedonLuke6:38?”

I said, “No, Ihaven’t,at leastnot just taking thatoneverseforatext.I’vereferredtoitinsermons,ofcourse.”

“Well,”hesaid,“anevangelistheldatwo-weekrevivalinourchurch. He read Luke 6:38 for his text every single night fortwosolidweeks.”

He continued, “Do you knowwhat?We had one of the bestrevivalswe’veeverhadinthatchurch.Peopleweresavedeverysingle night. That evangelist had one of the best salvationresponseswe’veeverhadinarevivalmeeting.”

Thenmyfriendsaid,“Thelastnightofthemeeting,thepastortookupanofferingforthisevangelist.Butthentheevangelistgot up and read Luke 6:38 again, and said, ‘Folks, I’ve readeverynightfromthistext.AndI’mgoingtoreceiveanofferingtonight for this churchbecause thisbuildingneedsanewair-conditioningsystem.’”

Thiswasmanyyearsagonow,butthepeoplehadboughtthisbuilding and converted it into a church. Actually, the air-

conditioninginthatchurchwasapre-WorldWarIIsystemthatfinallyjustbrokedown.

Ifyou’veeverbeentoTexas,youknowhowhotitgetsinthesummertime. So this church really did need a new air-conditioning system. In fact, they needed about $10,000 for anewsystem.Thatdoesn’tsoundlikemuchnow,butbackthenitwasalotofmoney.

Theevangelistsaid,“I’mjustgoingtoopenmyBibletoLuke6:38 and lay it down here on the altar. And I’m going toencourage you to give an offering based on Luke 6:38. Thisofferingwillgoexclusivelyforanewair-conditioningsystemforthischurch.”

BecausetheLordwasleadinghimtotakethisspecialofferinghesaid,“Idon’twantanyofyoutogiveanythingyoucanaffordtogive.Iwantyoutogivewhatyouthinkyoucannotaffordtogive.”

Theevangelistcontinued,“TheWordofGodsays,‘Giveanditshallbegiventoyou,goodmeasure,presseddown,andshakentogether,andrunningover.’IknowGoddoesn’tlie.”

Myfriendwhowasrelatingthistomesaid,“Iwassitting inthatservice,andIthought,Nowwaitaminute!Thatevangelistsaidtogivewhatwecannotaffordtogive.SoIjustdecidedtogiveeverythingIhad,whichwasn’tawholelot.”

Myfriendtoldme,“Actually, Igaveall themoneyIhadthatwastolastmeforthenextweek.Ididn’thaveadimelefttobuygroceries.

“Isaidtomyself,Ihopemywifehassomefoodinthepantry,because I justemptiedmybillfoldandputeverything Ihad inthatoffering.”

This fellow told me, “I taught a men’s Bible study at thechurchduring theweek.Before this evangelist came to town,twomenintheBiblestudyhadcometomeprivatelyafteroneof theBible study sessions. Theywere businessmen, and theywantedmetoprayforthem.

“They were broke, and they’d each been advised by theirfinancial advisors to file for bankruptcy on their businessesbecausetheywerebothinsuchbadshapefinancially.”

Myfriendcontinued,“Thesetwomenalsogaveintheofferingthatnight.Iknewtheycouldn’taffordtogive,anymorethanIcouldaffordtogivethemoneyIputintheoffering.

“But I am a witness to the fact that in thirty days, both ofthosefellows’businesseswereoutoftheredandintheblack!They immediately began to prosper.” The windows of Heavenwere opened and God’s blessings were being poured out on

them.

CanGodUseSinnerstoBlessUs?Thismanwhowas talking tomeaswedrove to the church

service was a carpenter. The windows of Heaven were beingopenedonhimtoo.

He relatedone incident thathappened tohimasa result ofhis giving. He said, “On the job where I worked, I needed aparticularcarpentry tool. I’dpriced that tool thinkingmaybeIcouldbuyone,butIcouldn’taffordit;itwasjusttooexpensive.

“One of the fellows who worked with me had bought thisparticulartool.Hewasn’taChristian,butsometimesI’dborrowhis tool. But on theMonday after I’d given in that offering, Iwasoutonthe jobworking,andthissinnermancamearoundand laid this expensive tool down beside me.” This tool wasquiteanexpensivepieceofequipmentforthatday.

“Hesaidtome,‘Iwanttogiveyouthistool.’”Imaginethat!Asinnerman!

But noticewhat Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given untoyou, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, runningover—shallmengiveintoyourbosom.”

Who will give to you?Men shall give to you—that meanspeople.Inotherwords,theBibledoesn’tsaythatitwillonlybeChristianswhowill give to you. God can use sinners to blessyoutoo—menandwomenalike!

This brother said tome, “I asked that sinnerman, ‘Why doyouwanttogivemeyourtool?’

“Hesaid,‘Idon’tknow.Ijustdon’tknow!Iwasupontopofthe house putting on the roof, and something just came overme.AndbeforeIknewit,Isaidtomyself,I’mgoingtogivethatfellowthattool!’

“Thenthatunsavedmanaskedme,‘Willyoutakeit?’“Isaid,‘Isurewill!’”

Godcanusesinnerstoblessus!Afterall,theBibledoessaymenwillgiveintoourbosom.

Let me tell you something that happened to Uncle BudRobinsonwhowasanold-timeMethodistpreacher inTexasattheturnofthecentury.Heandhiswifeandthreechildrenlivedout in the country. Uncle Bud regularly gave tithes andofferings.

One morning Uncle Bud got up and discovered that theydidn’t have a bite of food to eat in the house, not even onecrumbofbread.Heandhisfamilysatdownatthetableinfaith

justliketheyhadfoodtoeat.TheythankedGodandprayed,buttheydidn’thaveacrumbofbreadoradropofmilk!

UncleBud said, “Justby faith I said tomy family, ‘Well, I’mgoing to hook up the buckboard and go into town.’” In thosedayspeople cookedwithawood stove, sohe said tohiswife,“Keepthestovehot.I’mgoingtobringbackabillofgroceries,andwe’llhaveafeast.”

Inhisautobiography,UncleBudsaid, “I said thatby faith. Ididn’t knowwhere foodwould come from, but I just believedGod.”

SoUncleBudhookedupthebuckboard,wentintotown,andtied the horses’ reins up to the hitching rail. In those daystownshadboardwalksthatweremadeoutofwood.UncleBudstartedwalkingdownthatboardwalk,andbackthen,theystillhadopensaloonsinthetownsandcities.

UncleBudsaid,“Iwaswalkingdownthisboardwalk,andallof a sudden a drunk came stumbling out of a saloon, justweavingallovertheboardwalk.Aboutthetimehegottome,hestopped dead still.” The drunk man said to him, “Hey! UncleBud!”

HeknewUncleBud,becauseBudwas the localpreacher inthose parts. The drunkman reached both hands into his coatpocketandpulledouttwofistfulsofsilverdollars.Nowyou’vegot to understand thatmoneywent a longway back in thosedays. They didn’t have inflation likewe do today;moneywasworthalotmorethenthanitisnow.

Thedrunkmansaid,“Here,UncleBud!Here!Take thisandgo buy yourself something to eat. We’re not going to let youstarve!Gobuysomegroceries.”

Uncle Bud said, “I reached my hands out and took all thatmoney.Thenthedrunkwentondownthestreetjustsinging.”

UncleBudsaid,“Iwentandboughtgroceries.Infact,inthosedays, you could buy so many groceries with that amount ofmoney, I filledupthewholebuckboardwith food! Iwentbackhomejustsinging.”

Uncle Bud said, “Somebody asked me, ‘Do you think Godspoketothatdrunk?’

“Why, certainly!” he answered. “He sure did. In the firstplace,howdidthatdrunkknowIdidn’thaveanyfood?Hesaidtome,‘Here,gobuysomegroceries.We’renotgoingtoletyoustarve.’Howelsedidheknowthat?”

NoticethatLuke6:38says,“Give,anditshallbegivenuntoyou; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, andrunning over, shall men give into your bosom.” That means

mankind. It doesn’t say a thing in theworld about Christiansbeingtheonlyonestogivetoyou!

Jesus didn’t say, “Only fellow Christians will give into yourbosom,”or“Believersyouknowwillgiveintoyourbosom.”No,Jesus said, “Men shall give into your bosom”—that meansmankind—savedandunsavedalike.

‘YouCan’tOut-GiveGod!’Thereisasequeltowhathappenedtothemanwhogaveme

thetwoone-hundred-dollarofferings.Herelatedsomethingelsethathappenedtohimasaresultofhisgiving.

Hesaidtome,“I’vebeenwantinganewcar,soIdecidedI’dtrademyoldcarinandgetabetterone.Iwentouttoacarlot,andIlookedatthecars.

“There was one in particular that I wanted, but it was abrand-newcar.As I looked it over, I thought tomyself,That’sjust too big of a step forme financially.Mymonthly paymentwouldbetoomuch.SoinsteadIselectedausedcar.Ithought,Well,atleastit’sanupgradeofayearortwo.

“Finally,asalesmancameoverandaskedifhecouldhelpme.I said, ‘Yes, I’m looking at this used car, and I want to trademineinonitandfinancetherest.’

“Thesalesmansaidtome,‘Isawyoulookingatthatnewcaroverthereawhileago.’

“Itoldthesalesman,‘Yes,butthat’sjusttoobigofastepforme financially. I can only handle so much a month, and thatwouldjustbetooexpensiveforme.’

“Thesalesmansaidtome,‘Well,Iownthiscarlot,soI’lltellyouwhatI’mgoingtodo.I’mgoingtoletyouhavethatnewcarforjustwhatI’vegotinit.Iwon’tmakeanythingonit,andI’lltake your car in for top value, so your payments will be lessthanwhatyouthoughttheywouldbe.”

My friend told me, “I could hardly believe it! But then IrememberedwhatLuke6:38 said, ‘Give, and it shall begivenunto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together,andrunningover,shallmengiveintoyourbosom.”

Myfriendtoldme,“Asthatsalesmanwassigningthepapersonthedeal,Ifinallyaskedhim,‘Whydoyouwanttodothisforme?’

“Hesaid, ‘Idon’tknowwhy.Something just toldme to.AndsinceIdecidedtodoit,IjustfeelsogoodaboutitthatI’mgladIdidit!’”

Then my friend said to me, “You know, Brother Hagin, I’mhavingthebiggesttimeIeverhadinmylifegivingtohelpthe

workofGod.I’vegotmoremoneynowbygivingthanI’veeverhadbeforeinmylife.

“Ipaymytithes,don’tmisunderstandme.ThemoneyIgivetopeopleisofferings;Iputmytithesinmylocalchurch.”

He said, “But everyweek, I just seek out somewhere that Icangive.I’mgivingawaymoreinofferingsthanIeverhaveinmylife,butI’mreceivingmoremoneythanI’veeverhadinmylife too. The more I give, the more I get, and I’m having thebiggesttimeblessingfolksthatI’veeverhadinmylife!”

Yousee,thismanwasn’tjustgivingtoget.It’sallrighttogivein faith andexpect a return.But thatwasn’t hismainmotive.HewantedtoblesspeopleandseetheworkofGodpromoted.GodwillalwayshonorHisWord.

Friend,youcan’tout-giveGod!SodoyouwantthedoorsandthewindowsofHeavenopenforyou?Godtellsyouexactlyhowtogetthemopen.WalkinobediencetoHisWordinthismatteroftithesandofferings.

Oneprayerthathasenrichedmylifeisthis:“Lord,makemeablessingwhereverIgo.”

Whenyourmotiveistoblessothers,andyouareobeyingGodintithesandofferings,GodwillbefaithfultoHisWord.Hewillopen those windows of Heaven so you can be a blessing tomankind.Youcan’tout-giveGod!

Chapter9

TheOpenDoorsofHeavenOurLordandSaviorJesusChristopensdoorsforusnoman

canclose!TheBiblesaysthatJesushassetbeforeusanopendoor. Christ has given us free access to His provisions andpromises.Therefore,weneedtodiscoverhowtoenterthrougheveryoneofthedoorsJesushassorichlyprovidedforus.

TheLordopensuppeople’sheartsandopenstheeyesoftheirunderstanding (Acts 16:14; Eph. 1:18). He’s opened thewonderfuldoorofhealingandhealth.HeopensthedooroftheWordandopensdoorsofopportunityanddoorsofserviceforus(Luke24:32;1Cor.16:9).HeopensthewindowsofHeavenandpoursblessingsintoourlives.

Jesus also opens to us the door of utterance that we mayboldlyspeaktheWordandproclaimthegospel(Acts4:19;Col.4:3).HeloosesourtonguesowecanboldlywitnessforHimandmagnifyandglorifyHisName.

OpenDoorsIntotheGloryWorldButthereareotherdoorsinScripturethatJesushasopened

anddoesopenforus.WefindoneofthesedoorsreferredtoinActs7:56.

Inthispassage,weseethatoneofJesus’disciples,Stephen,wasbeing stoned todeath.Hebecame the firstmartyr of theChurch.But theBiblehassomething interesting to say in thispassageofScriptureaboutadoorthatJesusopensforus.

ACTS7:55–5655Buthe,BEINGFULLOFTHEHOLYGHOST,lookedupstedfastlyintoheaven,andSAWTHEGLORYOFGOD,andJesusstandingontherighthandofGod,56And said,BEHOLD, I SEETHEHEAVENSOPENED, and the Son ofmanstandingontherighthandofGod.

This passage says that Stephen was full of the Holy Ghost.WhenStephenwasfulloftheHolyGhost,hesawtwothings.HesawthegloryofGod,andhesawtheheavensopenandJesusstandingattherighthandofGod.

Hallelujah!ThankGod,GodopensthedoorofHeavenforHispeople(Rev.4:1).AndoneofthesedaysGodwillopenthedoorofHeaventowelcomeyouandmehome.WhetherwegobytherouteofthegraveorbytheRaptureofthesaints,onedaywearegoinghometoHeaventobewithJesus!

Yousee,thereisagloryworld.StephensawthegloryofGod.Thepsalmistofoldsaid,“Thoushaltguidemewiththycounsel,andafterwardreceivemetoglory”(Ps.73:24).That’swherewearegoingwhenwe leave thisearth,praiseGod!Believersaregoingtothegloryworld!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been there; I’ve seen thatglory world. I know what it means in this verse when it saysthatStephensawthegloryofGod.

Several times intheOldTestamentwhenthepeoplepraisedand worshipped the Lord, the Bible says that the glory of theLordfilledthetemple.

For example, the cloud of the Lord’s glory filled thetabernacle in the wilderness, and Moses could not enter thetabernaclebyreasonofthegloryofGod.

EXODUS40:34–3534Thenacloudcoveredthetentofthecongregation,andthegloryoftheLordfilledthetabernacle.35 AndMOSESWASNOT ABLE TO ENTER INTO THE TENT OF THECONGREGATION,becausethecloudabodethereon,andTHEGLORYOFTHELORDFILLEDTHETABERNACLE.

Then when the Israelites dedicated Solomon’s temple, thecloudfilledthetemple,andthepriestscouldnotstandbecauseofthegloryoftheLord.

1KINGS8:10–1110 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holyplace,thattheCLOUDfilledthehouseoftheLord,11SothatthepriestscouldnotstandtoministerbecauseoftheCLOUD:forTHEGLORYOFTHELORDHADFILLEDTHEHOUSEOFTHELORD.

2CHRONICLES5:13–1413Itcameeventopass,asthetrumpetersandsingerswereasone,tomake one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; andwhen they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals andinstrumentsofmusick,andpraisedtheLord,saying,Forheisgood;forhismercyendurethforever:thatthenTHEHOUSEWASFILLEDWITHACLOUD,eventhehouseoftheLord;14SothatTHEPRIESTSCOULDNOTSTANDTOMINISTERBYREASONOFTHECLOUD: for theGLORYOFTHELORDhad filled thehouseofGod.

WhatwasthatcloudoftheLord?ItwasthegloryofGod—thecloudoftheLord’sPresence—fillingthetemple.TheJewscalledthe glory of the Lord the divine Shekinah or the Presence ofGod. The Presence of God dwelt in the Holy of Holies and itfilledthetemple.

I’veseenthatcloudoftheLord’sglory.Isawitthefirsttimeasateenager.Deathcametofastenitsgriponmeat1:30intheafternoononAugust16,1933,whenIwasjustateenager.

IhaddiedoncebeforeasIlayonthatbedofsicknessbeforeIwas born again. I wasn’t saved the first time I died, so whendeath fastened its awfulgriponme, I descendeddown to thegatesofhell.

ThenGodspokefromHeaven,andIsupernaturallyascendedbackintomybody.1

ThatwasthedayIgotbornagain.AfterIwassaved,IknewifI died, I would go up to Heaven to be with Jesus. So when Ibegan to die that day in August, I said to my nine-year-old

brotherwhostoodbymybedside,“RunandgetMomma.Quick!I’mdying.Iwanttotellhergood-bye.”

Itwas106degreesoutsidethatday,yetmybodywassocoldthat they had to wrap heated hot-water bottles and heatedbricksallaroundmybodytotrytokeepmewarm.Butmybodywasstillascoldasiceallover,andthedeathdewwasuponmybrow.

My little brother ran out of that room calling, “Momma!Momma!Granny!Ken’sdying!”

AsherancallingforMommaandGranny,Ileftmybody.Iwassaved;IknewJesus,soIwentup,andIsawthegloryofGod.IheardaVoicespeakfromHeaven.IsawthegloryofGod!

The glory is brighter than the sun shining on the glisteningsnow.ItisimpossibletodescribejusthowbrightandbeautifulthegloryofGodreallyis.

Years later,Mommaheardmepreachingon the radio aboutthisexperienceofseeingthegloryofGod.OnedaywhenIcameto visit her, she said, “Son, there is something about thatexperienceyoudon’tknowabout.There’smore to it thanyoutell.LetmetellyouaboutitfromthestandpointofwhatGrannyandIexperienced.”

Shesaid,“WhenyourbrotherPatcamerunningtoustotellus that youweredying,we ranout of thekitchenup thehallthrough thedining room toyourbedroom. Iwascloser to thehallthanGranny,soIgottoyourbedroomfirst.Thedoorwasopen, and I started to run through that door. But I ran upagainstsomething,justlikeyouwouldrunupagainstarubberwall.”

She said, “I ran up against whatever it was that filled yourroom,andI justbouncedback like I’drun intoagiantrubberball.Ibouncedbackhalfwayintothediningroom.Iknewtherewassomethingholyinyourroombecauseyourwholebedroomwasfilledwithabrightlight.”

I answered, “Yes, that was the glory of God. My room wasfilledwithGod’sglory.”

Shesaid,“I justbouncedoff itwhenI triedtorun intoyourroom, so I stood back in reverence. Granny came running uprightbehindme,andsheranupagainstitandbouncedofftoo.Butshebackeduphalfwayintothediningroomandranagainstitagainjustashardasshecould.

“Shecouldn’tgetpastthatdoor!Everytimeshetried,she’djustbounceback.Infact,shetriedaboutahalfdozentimestogetintoyourroom,butshecouldn’t.Finallyshejusthungontothedoorfacing,barelyabletostandupbecauseofthePresenceofGodinyourroom.

“Webothstoodthereabouttenminutesbeforewecouldevengetintoyourroom.Whateverwasinthere,wehadtowaituntilithadsubsidedandleftbeforewecouldgointoyourroom.”

Well,yousee,IwascaughtupinthegloryofGod.Icouldn’tseeMommaorGranny;Iwasinthatgloryworld!I’vethoughtaboutitmanytimessincethen,andIhaveneverfeltsorryforChristianswho leavethisworld. I feelsorry for thosewhoareleftbehind,andIweepforthem.

ButIknowthismuch.WhenIwascaughtup inthatglory, Ididn’twant to comeback.However, theLord still hadaworkformetodo,soIhadtocomeback.

Stephensawthatsameglory.ThenhesawJesusstandingatthe right hand of the Father. Thank God, “He that openeth”opensthedoorofHeavenforHissaintstousherthemintothatgloryworld!We’llallbewelcomedhomebyJesusoneofthesedays.

ThankGodforthedoorofsalvation.ThankGodforthedoorofdivinehealingandhealth that isopen tous.Godopens thedoorofourhearts,andHeopenstheWordtous.

ThankGod,doorsofserviceandopportunityandthedoorofutteranceareopentousifweonlyhavethespiritualawarenesstosee,recognize,andenterthroughthosedoors.

ThewindowsofHeavencanbeopeneduponour livesdownhereonearthsowecanliveinabundanceandbeablessingtomankindwhereverwego.

Are the windows of Heaven open in your life? Have youentered into every door of blessing that Jesus has alreadyprovidedforyou?

ThankGod,thedoorofHeavenwillonedayswingwideopentoreceiveeachoneofuswhoarebornagain!

Butdoorsofopportunityawaityounow,hereonearth!MayyouseetheblessingsoftheLordpouredoutinyourlifeasyouwalkthroughGod’sbountifuldoorsofblessinginobediencetoHisWord.

1Foracompleteaccount,pleaseseeRev.KennethE.Hagin’sbook,IWenttoHell.

AbouttheAuthorKenneth E. Haginministered for almost 70 years after God

miraculouslyhealedhimofadeformedheartandanincurableblood disease at the age of 17. Even thoughRev.Haginwenthome to be with the Lord in 2003, the ministry he foundedcontinuestoblessmultitudesaroundtheglobe.Kenneth Hagin Ministries’ outreaches include The Word of

Faith, a freemagazine;RhemaBible TrainingCollege;RhemaAlumni Association; Rhema Ministerial AssociationInternational; Rhema Correspondence Bible School; and theRhema PrisonMinistry. Rev. Hagin’s son and daughter-in-law,KennethW.andLynetteHagin,co-hostRhemaPraise,aweeklytelevision broadcast; Rhema for Today, a weekday radioprogram;andLivingFaithCrusadesheldaroundtheworld.

TableofContentsJesustheOpenDoor01Jesus'sCharacterandWorkRevealed02Jesus_TheOpenDoorofSalvation03JesusOpenstheDooroftheHeart04OpenDoorsofServiceandUtterance05TheOpenDoorofHealing06WindowsofHeaven07MotivesandGiving08OfferingsOpentheWindowsofHeaven09TheOpenDoorsofHeavenAbouttheAuthorMoreAboutKennethHaginMinistries