The Open Door

Today I read Daniel 11:38-Hosea 4:3 and Revelation 3:1-19. My favorite verses are:

Hosea 2:19-20 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. 20I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Both the words of the prophet and the Revelation are spoken by God to His children. The church is referred to as the Bride of Christ—a Jewish woman was always betrothed before becoming a bride. God described the kind of woman He had chosen as His betrothed to later become His Bride—righteous, loving, merciful, and faithful. These are the attributes He expects to see in His church. We, the redeemed, are His church; these attributes should characterize our lives! And for those of His children who keep His word and do not deny Him, there will be an open door which no man can shut. It may be opened to opportunities for service to God and others; it may be opened to blessings given by Him to those who are the Bride; it certainly is opened to eternal life for His children. Whatever it is opened to, we would be foolish to fail to go through that door into whatever God has waiting for us.