The House Of God I: The Gate of Heaven

The House Of God I: The Gate of Heaven

Genesis 28:10-19

The design of a house is crucial to its strength. The most secure shelter in all creation is the house of God. It is the only house guaranteed to stand sufficient forever. We are a part of that house founded on His word (Ephesians 2:20; Matthew 7:24-25; Isaiah 28:6; 2 Timothy 2:19). The Bible pictures the Church as a great spiritual house.  The house is made up of people who believe God’s word. This spiritual house is most visible as local churches. The New Testament denotes a group of believers in a particular place or “a local church.”  The local church are like your immediate family and rest of the body of Christ the extended family. Local churches are God’s house when gathered and also when scattered in-between meetings. Paul referred to such local churches as God’s house or a part of it (Ephesians 2:19, 21; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:5).  God’s design is that Christians work together in local assemblies where they are known and have primary experience of God’s house. Moreover, are spiritually fed, cared for, nurtured, and play a part. God’s grace is shared through localized groups of people with faith in our God and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1).

In Genesis 28, Jacob identified the house of God by its effect, more than its structures and traditions. The house of God is a God ordained experience not just a place. Jacob was in some place alone lying on a least comfortable pillow of stone. There was no building, no fat bank account, no choir, no church uniform, no program or structure yet he experienced the house of God. For Jacob the house was a moment or place of an awesome encounter with God. He had such an encounter and the experience led him to conclude ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven (Genesis 28:17).’ This description meant the house of God is also the gate of heaven. May there be awe in God’s house. A look at what led Jacob to conclude he was experiencing God’s house provides insights about the house of God and the gate of heaven.

Being in the house of God is about receiving a revelation of God concerning what you are going through in life. It is being aware of God’s presence and care. Jacob was desperately searching for answers. He was unsettled about his past.  He had questions about his safety, about how God viewed him, about whether his journey and mission in Haran would succeed. He was on the run from his brother’s wrath having taken his birthright blessing. He was very tired and anxious about the future. He was also feeling alone and bearing the pain of a fractured close relationship. When he finally grabbed a chance to sleep, God (Yahweh) appeared in a dream. He saw the angels of God ascending and descending on a ladder stretching from heaven to earth and Yahweh stood above it. The ladder spoke of open access to and from God. We have access today through the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:16). Angels, who do Heaven’s business, were busy on the ladders/stair case while Jacob was resting. The angels were a symbol of how God was actively serving Jacob.  God was above the ladder, a reminder that he is the exalted most high God. He is above all else and reigns.

Being in the house of God is hearing the voice of God. God instilled peace in Jacob. He does not say quickly come up the ladder and escape to heaven. Instead, the ladder was there to strengthen him and supply him with what he needed to succeed on earth. God was at the other end yet very reachable, relevant and concerned. God was far and yet present at the same time (Psalm 46:1). He was so vast yet so personal. God’s first words were ‘I am Jehovah the God of Abraham your Father’.  Jehovah is the redemptive name of God. Hearing it would have inspired peace.  Often before speaking to people God says peace to you or do not be afraid. In other words - settle down. I am here. You will be well. Peace and stillness of heart precede hearing the plan of God. God calmed Jacob’s mental and emotional storms. He was refreshed and strengthened. He had been on the run from danger now he would be on the run for God.

Being in the house of God is to have assurance of being a part of the Abrahamic covenant. Jacob received the rhema word he needed for his life. God linked Jacob directly to Abraham as his father, not grandfather. He then makes a promise similar to the one he gave Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4). He would also be with Him and bless him to be a blessing. Interesting that God does not mention anything about the recent events with Esau. What mattered most in Jacob’s past was Father Abraham. God assured Jacob of His presence and plan. The assurance of His presence is the best promise from God. It is also God’s master strategy. Whenever people wondered about the fulfillment of God’s plan in their lives, God promised -‘I will be with you’. Jacob now knew he was not forsaken and alone. God communicated His love and great future. Jacob was going to be fruitful, increase and expand. Believers as God’s house also enjoy this blessing.  Know that they, which are of faith, the same, are the children of Abraham (Galatians 3:7).  

Being in the house of God is awakening to the blessing of the house. Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, "Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I didn't know it. (Genesis 28:16)" He had been blind to God’s presence, power, provision, treasure and mercy but  now his eyes were opened.  What would we be like if we could see all the invisible factors and forces working for us in the Spirit? We would be different. The word of God is a mirror that shows us who we are in Christ and all that is on our side in Him (James 1:22-23). Only eyes of faith can see the picture of us in the word of God. When we trust the word of God can do extraordinary things even through the least expected conditions and means. God has established a house on earth to bring something of heaven to earth not to essentially gain anything. He dwells in His house and looks after His house. There is therefore victory in His house. As His house, we see possibility and great opportunity in the house.

Being the house of God is being the gate of heaven.   As the house, believers are the interface between heaven and earth. They are the point of grace were people on earth find salvation. They are the means by which God meets with humanity and works through them for the extension of His purpose. By them God has established a presence and a testimony on earth.  God executes His business on earth by them. The gate of heaven is not just a gate to heaven but also more exciting to our earthly life, its heaven’s access to humanity.

Being the gate of heaven is an awesome responsibility. It means that you as believers can  free or limit God’s work in your lives and communities. The house of God as a gate will determine how much of heaven earth enjoys and how much of earth heaven touches. You can free God’s work by letting Him be the king over your life. He gave authority to you so you can have the joy of exercising it by submitting to Him. He wants your involvement as you control the gate in His name. He alone can control and defend the gate. As a gate of heaven, heaven has fortified and commissioned the Church. The gates of hell will not prevail (Mathew 16:18).  The gate of heaven is a center of God’s power and fortitude.

You can open or close yourselves to heaven. God is looking to you for an open way that allows him full access and freedom (Revelation 3:20). Let him in by acknowledging him as Lord over His gate. Later Jacob called the same place El Bethel meaning the God of the house of God (Genesis 35:6-7). In other words, meaning the God of the gate of heaven. Let the God of the house take charge. As God of the house, He is God of the Church. The house of God is visible through local bodies of believers gathered or scattered. The house of God scattered goes all over the community as salt and light. Wherever the people of God are the house is there and the gate of heaven is present. The believers can open up the gate by prayer, courage and faith to let God come through into situations, or they can close up and keep heaven out of situations.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for appointing us as the house of God that we can be with you. Thank you for bringing us to yourself. Now be the Lord of your house. Teach us, instruct us, show us the way to go, counsel us and watch over us (Psalm 32:8).   We receive your promise of fruitfulness, increase and expansion.

[This message is the first among several in a series of messages on the house of God. The series raises awareness of the importance of belonging and fully participating in the life of a local church.]

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa