I've read a couple of studies over the years about the seven churches (apart from obviously being seven churches in seven locations) also representing seven distinct time periods or ages during the church age.With the sixth and seventh church existing side by side at the end of the church age.
With that in mind it's interesting that the church in Philadelphia,which is commended for having "...a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." (Rev 3:8) has before it "an open door"
On the other hand the church of the Laodiceans has before it a closed door("I stand at the door and knock")possibly because in direct contrast to the church that has a little strength,this church thinks "...I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing..."
I think it's entirely possible that the door in this instance is representing the rapture of the true church.That body of believers who have kept His word and not denied His name.Verse 10 almost comes right out and says it "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."
The church that stands before the closed door is counceled to "...buy of me gold tried in the fire..."(Rev 3:18)
At the end of the Millenial Reign of Christ, Satan is “loosed for a little season” at the close of the millenium. Satan will deceive many and gather an army together against Jerusalem at this time. But before his soldiers can even begin to fight, fire from heaven will devour them. And Satan himself will be cast into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:7-10).
I believe that Peter and the 11 (the Apostles of the circumcision, Israel, who will sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel during Christ's Millenial Reign) were inspired to write Heb. through Revelation for a future day, the fulfilling of the prophecies of the Bible. Those going through the Tribulation, the tribulation saints.
The Bible is actually divided between Prophecy, concerning the Nation Israel, and Mystery, concerning the Church the Body of Christ. The Mystery was revealed to Paul and that is what Romans through Philemon is all about. (Rom. 16:25,26; Eph. 3:2,3,5,6,9). It was hid in GOd until revealed to Paul, and concerned a BODY OF BELIEVERS, the Church the BOdy of Christ. That age ends when the Body of Christ is complete and is raptured, at which time Prophecy, concerning the Nation Israel, is resumed. Which is where Heb. through Revelation picks up.
The last nine books of the Bible (Heb. - Rev.) look toward the "ages to come" and focus on the final stage of Israel's prophetic program. They are for the "last days" saints. Read John 14:25,26; John 16:12,13; and Daniel 12:4. The body of information He promised would come to equip them to handle the last days and judgment are found, where? Hebrews through Revelation. It shows the wisdom of God in writing these books WHEN and HOW He did!
The focus in these books is on THE AGES TO COME. Heb.. 2:3-5;James 5:7-11; 1 Peter 2:9; Exodus 19:5,6; 2 Peter 1:10; 2 Peter 3:1-4; Jude 17-18, 24-25; Rev. 1:1-3,9,10.
The emphasis is on the FINAL FULFILLMENT OF ISRAEL'S EARTHLY PROGRAM.
So, the Body of Christ has been raptured, the middle wall of partition is back up, God is dealing with Israel as a Nation once again, and ALL propehcy is set to be fulfilled.
BTW: the "ages to come" come from Eph. Chapter 2. Please read it prayerfully to see that God does INDEED divide His plan for man into times, ages, dispensations. "Time Past", "But Now", "Ages to Come". The "But Now" in Ephesians is the dispensation of the grace of God, the mystery hid in God, the forming of the Body of Christ..all those things Jesus Christ revealed to Paul in Romans through Philemon. It's so wonderful that we can SEE and be a part of when "But Now" ends, so that "the Ages to Come" can begin!
If you guys want to go on with this, let me know.
As far as the 7 churches of Revelation, because this is part of the prophecy program, the last days, and the tribulation saints, I believe that those churches are LITERAL churches that exist during the tribulation. Remember, a church is a called-out assembly, not a building. I believe those words were written for future assemblies of people going through the tribulation. Regards to you both! smvoice