NASA has used spacecraft to detect energetic particles and magnetic openings in the Earth's magnetosphere. They are known as 'X-points' or electron diffusion regions where the magnetic field of Earth connects to the magnetic field of the Sun, creating an uninterrupted path leading from Earth to the atmosphere of the Sun. The findings suggest that these magnetic openings, known also as 'Portals,' are located tens of thousands of miles from Earth, where the geomagnetic field meets the onrushing solar wind, opening and closing dozens of times daily. Some of the 'Portals' are small and don't live very long. Others are wide, enormous, and constant. Through them tons of energetic particles flow, heating the Earth's upper atmosphere and causing geomagnetic storms and polar auroras. However, these so-called "Portals" are elusive, invisible, and unstable because they open and close without warning.
Starting before the turn of the 20th century, and continuing on through to the present time, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of those who say they are experiencing angelic visitations as a result of heavenly "Portals" (doorways/gates/windows) opening up in various locations around the world where Angels ascend and descend.
It is truth that God can choose to sovereignly send an Angel from Heaven. These types of events are recorded in Scripture and should not be dismissed as imaginary or purely demonic. However, there is a danger when intentionally looking for spiritual "Portals" because it is primarily a pagan practice dating back thousands of years that has been warmly embraced by the Occult. Jesus warned that there is a "portal" many will enter that is wide, and the path to it is "broad." Yet, He said it "leads to destruction" (Matthew 7:13 NIV). Jesus also said that there is a small 'portal' and a "narrow" path "that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV).
WHAT ARE 'GATES' IN THE BIBLE?
Old Testament Usage
In Hebrew, the word "petach" is a noun and is used for "doorway; opening; entrance; gate(s)." It represents the "opening through which one enters a building, tent, tower (fortress), or city" (see Genesis 18:1,19:6,38:14,43:19; Exodus 35:15). It was both a place to sit and an opening for entry. It is also used figuratively by the Prophet Micah (vs7:5) regarding the low morality of the people when he advised them to trust no one, telling them to guard their lips (literally, the "openings" of their mouths). It is can also refer to the human heart as a house or building with the devil crouching at the "entrance," ready to subdue it utterly and destroy its occupant (Genesis 4:7).
The Hebrew word "palach" is a verb meaning "to open" and has an extended meaning to cause to flow, to offer for sale, to conquer, to surrender, to draw a sword, to solve [a riddle], to free.
Another Hebrew Word translated as ‘door’ is “petrach,” and is used to refer to the door of a chamber in which people hide; door(s) of house (rooms) distinguished from door-way (compare 1 Kings 6:31); a temple (1 Kings 6:34, 7:50; 2 Kings 18:16; 1 Chronicles 22:3; 2 Chronicles 3:7; 4:22; 28:24; 29:3; Nehemiah 6:10; Malachi 1:10; so of Ezekiel's temple, Ezekiel 41:23,24; 41:25); gates of city (Deuteronomy 3:5; Joshua 6:26)
New Testament Usage
The Greek word "thura" is translated as 'door, gate' and is used literally (Matthew 6:6; 27:60), and metaphorically of Jesus (John 10:7,9); of faith by acceptance of the Gospel (Acts 14:27); of "openings" for preaching and teaching the Word of God (1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3; Revelation 3:8); of "entrance" into the Kingdom of God (Matthew 25:10; Luke 13:24-25); of Jesus "entrance" into a person when they become Born-Again (Revelation 3:20); of the nearness of Jesus' second coming (Matthew 24:33; Mark 13:29; James 5:9), and of "access" to behold visions relative to the purposes of God (Revelation 4:1).
Another Greek word that is translated as 'gate' is "pule," and is used: literally for a large "gate" in the wall, either of a city or palace or temple (Luke 7:12; Acts 3:10; 9:24; 12:10; Hebrews 13:12); metaphorically, of the "gates" at the entrances of the ways leading to life and to destruction (Matthew 7:13,14); of the "gates" of Hades (Matthew 16:18). The importance and strength of "gates" made them viewed as synonymous with power. By metonymy, the "gates" stood for those who held government and administered justice there.
WATCHERS AT THE GATES
"And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death." (Proverbs 8:32-36 ESV)
"Watching daily at the my gates" (Heb: "deleth" = gate/door) is figurative language that can refer to: a student waiting for the doors of a school to open so they can begin their studies; a servant of a King expecting the appearance of his sovereign; Levites guarding the doors of the temple, or a person waiting for their lover.
JACOB'S LADDER
Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, was fleeing from his twin brother Esau, who had promised to kill him. On the way to his relative's house, Jacob laid down for the night. As he was dreaming, he saw a ladder between Heaven and Earth. God's angels were on it, ascending and descending.
"And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it." (Genesis 28:12 KJV)
Jacob saw God standing above the ladder. God repeated the promise of support he had made to Abraham and Isaac (to bring the Messiah through his family line). He told Jacob his offspring would be many, blessing all the families of the Earth. God then said:
"And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." (Genesis 28:15 KJV)
When Jacob woke up, he believed that God was present in that place. He took the stone he had been using as a place to rest his head, poured oil on it, and then consecrated it to God. Jacob made a vow to God and called the place Bethel.
The ladder was intended to be an illustration of God's outreach between Heaven and Earth, with God taking the initiative to reach out to humanity. Through the lineage of Abraham and his grandson Jacob, the Messiah would become the perfect "ladder" or bridge, who is God come to Earth. Jesus referred to Himself as this ladder.
ANGELS ASCENDING AND DESCENDING
"Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." (John 1:45-51 ESV)
Jesus promised Nathanael, a devout Jew, a greater basis for belief and that he would see the Angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. Just as Jacob, who thought he was all alone, suddenly saw Angels from Heaven communicating with Earth, he (and all the people) would see Jesus as the divine communication, the living link, the ladder and new way between Heaven and Earth (Daniel 7:13; Matthew 26:64). Jesus continuously reminded the people that He came down from Heaven. He said, "No man cometh to the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6).
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit." (Joel 2:28-29 ESV)
In context, it is clear that these verses directly refer to salvation through Jesus Christ by the sending of the Holy Spirit to indwell those who become Born-Again as the new Holy of Holies, God's dwelling place. He would empower them to preach the Gospel to all the nations. Using any hermeneutic, it clearly is not about the coming of unprecedented visitation of heavenly hosts on the Earth.
ANCIENT DOORS
The Hebrew word "deluth" is a masculine noun designating a door (Psalm 24:7). It is also used figuratively in the Psalms to refer to the door of the psalmist's lips (Psalm 141:3).
"Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah" (Psalm 24:7-10 ESV)
In context, Psalm 24 was a poem set to music to sing by the people. God is called "the King of Glory" five times. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd who will one day return in glory and give each faithful servant a crown of glory (1 Peter 5:1-4,7,11-14, 5:1-4,10; 1 Corinthians 2:8).
The administration of an ancient city was transacted at the gates of a city so they were equivalent to those people what the city hall is to citizens in the western world today. David was commanding the whole city to welcome the Lord and give honor to Him.
The entrance of the Ark, with the attending procession, into the holy sanctuary, is pictured here. The allusion is to God as a King. On the cover of the Ark, or the mercy-seat, the symbol of the divine presence - the Shekinah - rested; and it was natural to say that God would enter through those gates. The cover of the Aark was regarded as his abode - His mercy-seat - His throne. He was about to enter the place of His permanent abode (See Exodus 25:17,20,22).
THE KING OF GLORY
The King of Glory is "the LORD of Hosts," a title used nearly 300 times in the Old Testament. "Hosts" means "armies," and it can also mean the stars (Isaiah 40:26), the angels (Psalm 103:20-21), the nation of Israel (Exodus 12:41), as well as all Born-Again Christians who belong to His army (2 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:10).
The gates of Jerusalem are mentioned twice (vv. 7, 9). Jesus, the King of Glory, entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the whole city didn't receive or praise Him. This Psalm would have been sung that morning at the Temple, but the leaders didn't apply it to Jesus and they rejected Him.
In His death and resurrection, Jesus won the battle against satan and sin, and when He ascended back to Heaven and entered the heavenly Zion , He was received as the victorious Lord of Hosts and the King of Glory (Hebrews 12:18). However, Jesus will soon return to the earth to fight a battle against the armies of the world and be victorious (Revelation 19:11; Isaiah 63:1-3). He will deliver Jerusalem from her enemies and establish His kingdom on earth (Zechariah 12:14). Then His people will receive Him in Jerusalem as the Lord of Hosts and King of Glory; and "the LORD shall be king over all the earth" (Zechariah 14:9).
DOORS OF HEAVEN
"He commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of heaven" (Psalm 78:23 NIV).
The verse is poetic in context and refers to God who poured out through the door (Heb: "deluth"), manna from Heaven in such abundance that it is compared with the waters that He sent down at the deluge of the Flood (see Genesis 7:11; 2 Kings 7:2).
"After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this. Immediately, I was in the spirit" (Revelation 4:1-2 KJV).
The "door" in Revelation suggests God's invitation for everyone to have access to His heavenly realm through Jesus.
CONCLUSION
"For nothing is hidden that shall not become evident, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light." (Luke 8:17 KJV)
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:1-2 KJV)
There is no legitimate scriptural evidence that angelic activity occurs in 'portals' or that they are openings to other dimensions. The teaching that there are portal/doorway/vortex locations around the world comes from paganism and occult eastern mysticism and not the Bible. Quantum Physics has speculated there could be more dimensions beyond the three and a half humans live and move in. The Bible infers there are up to at least six and a half more dimensions but makes no comment about doors that open to them as they are in the supernatural realm of God outside of the natural realm human beings exist in.
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Ephesians 5:11 KJV)
Esoteric practices and beliefs have infiltrated the church and have been made to sound Christian. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that supernatural aspects of Heaven will be brought to Earth before Jesus returns with His Kingdom.
Jesus said; "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved" (John 10:9 NKJV). The only true "portal" to Heaven is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the King of Glory! (See Psalm 24:7).
Jesus spoke a harsh word to Christians who walk in their own wisdom, wealth, strength and pride; He says they are: "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked," and that He stands knocking at the "portal" of their heart so that those who hear His voice, and opens that portal through sincere repentance, He will come in and be a part of their life (See Revelation 3:14-22).
The Holy Spirit was sent to be the only guide for the Christian - not angels (See John 14:20). He will direct a person to the words of Jesus. Even though He may occasionally choose to use angels, He does not need angels to do this. Everything a Christian needs to know is revealed by God through His Word (2 Timothy 3:16).
God absolutely condemns seeking out any paranormal information through angels, or any other entities (See Deuteronomy 18:9-12). He has given the gift of "distinguishing between spirits" because not all "spirits" are good (1 Corinthians 12:10 NIV). Christians must learn to test everything - including experiences – with the only reliable reference point – the Bible (See 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Intentional interaction with angels is a dangerous game for both the young and mature Born-Again Christian and can open a person up to demonic encounters and manifestations of demons masquerading as angels of light. The Bible states that angels are messengers of God. It is best for Christians to seek after the message MAKER rather than the message GIVER.
