Opening the Gates of Heaven Perry Stone

the heavens seemed closed to the blessings of God. Many believers think this could not occur; however, there are types of actions that can hinder our prayers from being received and being answered. Thus, the gate at the top of the ladder can be opened or closed. In the parable of the ten virgins, all ten were asleep (Matt. 25:5) when the call of the bridegroom’s arrival was heard. Five had additional oil and five did not (vv. 3–4). The five wise virgins with oil trimmed their lamps and were able to travel at midnight to the wedding supper. The five foolish had to go buy oil, which is odd in the parable, as no shop or store would be open at midnight. The only place to buy oil would be from neighbors sleeping at that time who would need to be awakened by the five foolish virgins. When the five foolish virgins finally arrived at the wedding, the “door was shut” (v. 10). God controls the doors—the door of heaven (Rev. 4:1), the opening and closing of the windows of heaven (Mal. 3:10), and the gate of heaven (Gen. 28:17), as well as the access of angels going up and down the ladder (v. 12). This is evident when Christ addressed the faithful church at Philadelphia in Revelation 3:8:

I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.