Inauguration Tickets Didn’t Get Them Through the Gate

What about your ticket?

It was an historic day. Thousands wept for joy. People from all over the globe travelled to Washington for the event. Millions were physically there to witness the inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama II as the 44^th President of the United States of America. At one point 7.7 million people around the world were watching live video streaming of the event – a new record for viewing on the internet. It was estimated that 200+ million Americans watched the event on television – not to mention the millions around the world who also sat in front of their screen.

But for some, the day was a day of bitter disappointment. They had been specifically and officially invited to the Inauguration. Some of them travelled thousands of kilometers – from Alaska and Wyoming while others came from neighboring States. They arrived in Washington with their tickets. Those with Blue tickets stood outside the Blue Gate. Those with Purple tickets lined up at the Purple gate.

Some of the ticket holders joined the line outside the gate very early in the morning. But something went wrong. As the historic hour arrived and the celebrations commenced, many of the ticket holders were still outside the gates.

“Ryan Ford, an intern who works in Rep. Loretta Sanchez's office, said he had been looking forward to the event for weeks, but was "extremely disappointed" when he was turned away at the gate. At 6 a.m. Tuesday, he and others showed up at the gate designated for those who had tickets to the purple section on the Capitol grounds — a prime viewing area.

The crowd was directed into the nearby Third Street Tunnel, where people waited until 10:30 a.m., Ford said. But after no movement and no official word, Ford and other ticket holders walked out of the tunnel and made their way back to the closed gate, where people were yelling, "Let us in!"

"I feel completely left in the dark," he said.” (1)

News headlines started appearing around the world:

Inauguration: The Nightmare at Blue Gate
Purple Tunnel of Doom: Ticketed Inauguration Attendees Shut Out
Disappointed Inaugural Ticket Holders Turned Away
Many Express Outrage over Ticket Problem

There is an event in the future far more significant than the inauguration of a President and people will find themselves on the wrong side of the gate. They too will yell: “Let us in!” But the gate will never be opened again. When Ryan Ford was turned away from the Inaugural gate he said: “I feel completely left in the dark.” But for those who are outside of Heaven’s gate they will not only ‘feel’ in the dark – they will experience darkness for ever.

The Lord Jesus warned that the gate to His eternal kingdom would close some day. The Master will shut the door.

Jesus said in Luke 13:25:

When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.'

The people outside will knock. They will beg for the door to be re-opened. They will claim special status based on their privileges in the past and their familiarity with Christ. But Christ will tell them they never had a relationship with Him.

Once that door shuts, it will be closed for eternity.

The message to those on the wrong side of the gate will be clear: “Depart from Me.” And then Jesus said there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. People from the north, south, east and west will be inside enjoying the celebrations but those on the outside will be left to their eternal doom.

The ticket you possess – are you sure it will get you in? Some hold a ticket that says ‘sincere and devout’ on it. Others hold their ‘faith’ ticket. Some are holding a ‘good works’ ticket. Some cling to a ticket that says ‘chance’. None of those tickets will get you in. What are you holding today as you read this story?

Jesus clearly said: “I am the door; if anyone enters in by Me, he will be saved.” John 10:9. To continue with the analogy, only those who are holding the ticket marked: “Christ is my Saviour” will find themselves sitting inside. All others will be turned away. Do you know Christ personally as your Saviour? Have you embraced Him or are you still holding a ticket that will never get you in?

Sources:

http://www.wgntv.com/landing/?Having-inaugural-ticket-was-no-guarantee=1&blockID=191026&feedID=27
Picture of crowd – www.foxnews.com
Picture of the President: http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/news_impact/2009/01/1Obama-Oath-300.jpg