George Whitfield, who preached more than 18,000 times, was one of the most widely recognized public figures in colonial America. During the Great Awakening of 1740, he was addressing a large open-air meeting from the words, “And the door was shut” (Mt 25:10). A young man in the audience, standing not far from the preacher, said to a companion in a voice loud enough for Whitfield to hear, “Well, what does it matter if the door is shut? When one door shuts, another door opens.” Whitfield immediately sprang into action: “Some may say,” he called out to the crowd, ‘What does it matter if the door is shut; if one door be shut, another door will open.’ Yes, that is true: if the door of heaven is shut against you, the door of hell will be open. If you are shut out of heaven, you must enter hell.” The Holy Spirit carried the words home to both of the young men, who remained for conversation with the preacher, and were led to accept Christ as their Savior.

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