Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

The tabernacle was surrounded by a fence creating a courtyard within and a barrier without. The gate to Eden, the garden of God, was guarded by angels to keep Adam and Eve from re-entering because of their sin. God has established a way to enter his presence but we must come his way.

There was a gate at one end of the courtyard whereby people could enter bringing their sacrifice to worship God. The fact that God included a gate in his plan certainly signifies that he wanted to offer a way for people to approach him. There was only one gate, only one entrance, emphasizing only one way to come to God.

People accuse Christians of being narrow-minded and bigoted because we insist on only one way to be saved: through faith in Jesus Christ. But it is not our desire to be exclusive. God has laid out the requirement for entrance into his presence. The author of Hebrews stands with the rest of the New Testament authors in boldly proclaiming that the entrance has been provided by Jesus, his son.

Hebrews 10:11-14:   And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Acts 4:10-12: let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

John 10:7-10   So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 14:5-6: Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.