Title: The Gate of Salvation, the Narrow Gate
Contents
Text: Luke 13:22-30
Title: The Gate of Salvation, the Narrow Gate
We couldn't turn our eyes away from the sorrow as we saw Japan, the world's largest economy, lose their home in the blink of an eye, put on a blanket, satisfy their hunger with a single piece of food, and struggle for lack of drinking water. It is very beautiful to see the Japanese people who are suffering from bitter pain showing good national character that does not spare comfort and encouragement. Now it is clearer how we should live. It means that we should not depend on the Tower of Babel that humans are building without God. This crisis is an opportunity for Japan to seek God, and I hope that God will comfort the land of Japan.
The Lord is speaking to us today. 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate, and I tell you, many will seek to enter, but will not be able' (verse 24). After God, the Lord of the kingdom of heaven, once shut the gates of heaven, stand outside and knock on the door to open it. . After the door is closed, there is a referee. A terrible judgment awaits, saying that there will be no such tribulation since the creation of the world. Nevertheless, we are open yesterday and today, so we have the illusion that the gates of heaven will always be open. When the door closes, sometimes it ends when the door of heaven closes, but sometimes the door closes because my life on earth is over. It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
You cannot enter heaven according to the order in which you attended church. See verses 29-30. ‘People will come from east, west, north and south to attend the feast in the kingdom of God; and behold, the last will be first, and the first will be last. He said..' Do not think that if you believe in Jesus early, enter our church early, receive an office, and serve for several decades, your reward in heaven will be very great now. These are words of warning to those who are drowning in inertia and indulging in narcissism. The world is very chaotic and busy right now. Trust Jesus more than ever. The door of salvation is narrow. Once the door of salvation is closed, it will never open again.