“Praise isn’t optional—it’s the
key that unlocks the first gate to
God’s presence and power.”
— Jentezen Franklin, The Power of Short Prayers

I have been deeply impacted by Pastor Franklin’s latest book, and as I reflected on this insight, the Holy Spirit brought a familiar Scripture into sharper focus:

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.” (Psalm 100:4)

In the Spirit, I saw a picture of the Tabernacle of Moses, but in a way I had never seen it before.

It was a divine pattern, a blueprint.
The Tabernacle reveals a progression in how God draws us closer to Himself: from outward expression to inward transformation, and ultimately into abiding intimacy with Him.

There are three distinct places, and three access points:

The Entrance Gate (Outer Court)
The Door (Holy Place)
The Veil (Most Holy Place)

Each one requires a key.

And together, they form a pathway.

Not merely a way to visit God, but a way to abide with Him.

1. The Gate — Thanksgiving & Praise

This is the first access point.

We do not enter God’s presence complaining.
We enter thanking.

We do not step in focused on ourselves.
We step in declaring who He is.

Praise is about Him:
His goodness,
His faithfulness,
His power.

This is also the place of the altar of sacrifice, where we lay down our lives.

“Present your bodies a living sacrifice…” (Romans 12:1)

Before we go deeper with God, something must be surrendered.

Praise is not just a song. It is an offering. It is the first key of approach. It is the beginning of repentance, thanksgiving, and reorientation. Here, we stop centering ourselves and begin centering Him.

This is also where many of us first encounter Christ.

We come aware of our need.
We come carrying burdens, sin, weakness, and often traces of orphan-mindedness.
And here, at the place of sacrifice, we receive mercy, forgiveness, and welcome.

Praise is where we encounter Christ.

It is the key that brings us through the gate.

2. The Door — Worship & Communion

Now we move from the outer court into the Holy Place.

Here, something shifts.

Praise is about Him.
Worship is to Him.

It is the difference between speaking about someone
and speaking with someone.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” (Revelation 3:20)

When we open this door, we begin to commune with Christ.

This is where we encounter:

The lampstand — the sevenfold Spirit of God
The bread — His Word
The altar of incense — prayer and intercession

This is the place of inward formation. The Holy Spirit begins transforming us here, not just touching our emotions, but reshaping our nature.

This is where surrender deepens.
This is where communion becomes continual.
This is where we stop rushing and begin remaining.

And this is where another revelation comes into view:

Worship is where Christ lives in us.

He is no longer only the Christ we have encountered.
He becomes the Christ who dwells within.
His Spirit teaches us, sanctifies us, and even intercedes through us.

The bread reminds us that His Word must become our daily life.
The lampstand is not just revelation, it is the manifestation of the Seven Spirits of God.
The incense reminds us that true worship rises into prayer, intercession, and holy communion.

This is where we are prepared as the Bride.

3. The Veil — Intimacy with the Father

Beyond the veil is the Most Holy Place.

This is no longer about activity.
This is about abiding.

This is where the Ark is: His manifest presence.

“Let us draw near…” (Hebrews 10:22)

Through Jesus, the veil has been torn.
But intimacy is still entered intentionally.

At the gate, we encounter Christ.
At the door, Christ lives in us.
Beyond the veil, we discover the mystery of abiding in Christ.

Intimacy is where we abide in Christ.

This is the place of union.
The place of deep rest.
The place where striving gives way to oneness.

Here, it is no longer:

Just praise
Just worship

It becomes union.

This is where:

We are fully known
We are deeply transformed
We become like Him

This is the difference between Christ in us and us in Christ.

Christ in us speaks of indwelling life, transformation, and the Spirit’s work within.
Us in Christ speaks of abiding union, identity, security, and rest in Him.

Both are true.
Both are necessary.
But they are not the same.

The gate brings us to Him.
The door forms Him in us.
The veil reveals what it means to live hidden in Him.

The Pathway

This is why the Tabernacle matters.

It teaches us that God is not looking for a momentary experience, but a life of ongoing transformation. He is drawing us into a divine progression:

Praise — we encounter Christ
Worship — Christ lives in us
Intimacy — we abide in Christ

Or, to say it another way:

The Gate — approach
The Door — communion
The Veil — union

And again:

Outer Court — thanksgiving and surrender
Holy Place — transformation and indwelling
Most Holy Place — abiding and intimacy

This is not a rigid formula. It is a revealed pattern.

It is the difference between:

Knowing about Him
Walking with Him
Becoming one with Him

The Invitation

Many believers remain at the gate.

They know how to praise,
but never step into worship.

Others enter the Holy Place,
but never learn to abide beyond the veil.

They want the voice,
without the surrender.

They want intimacy,
without the process.

But God is inviting us deeper.

Not into complication.
Not into religious performance.
But into closeness.

His yoke is easy.
His burden is light.
He has already done the heavy lifting through the Cross so that we can be close to Him.

That is why He made us:
to be close to Him.

The question is not whether He is willing to meet with us.
The question is whether we are willing to continue past the gate, through the door, and beyond the veil.

Spiritual Reflection

Where are you right now?

At the gate?
At the door?
Or at the veil?

Are you still learning to praise?
Are you growing in worship and communion?
Or is the Lord calling you into a deeper life of abiding?

Do not be discouraged.

Just take the next step.

Because He is speaking.

But we must remain positioned to hear Him.

We stay rooted in His presence by remaining rooted in His Word, through daily reading, meditation, and quiet time with Him.

The Word of God is not separate from His presence.
It is how He speaks, how He reveals Himself, and how He forms us.

The question is:
Are we positioned to hear Him?

Prayer — Take Me Deeper

Father,

Thank You that You have made a way for me to enter Your presence through the shed blood of Jesus, the only righteous Lamb.

Teach me to come through the gate with thanksgiving and praise.
Teach me to open the door and walk in true worship and communion.
And lead me beyond the veil into deep intimacy with You.

Holy Spirit, guide me from the outer court into the Holy Place,
and from the Holy Place into the Most Holy Place.

Let me not remain at the place of distance when You are calling me closer.

Teach me to encounter Christ,
to yield to Christ living in me,
and to abide fully in Christ.

Transform me, not just in what I say,
but in who I am.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.