Holy Spirit opened the door to Europe and closed the door to Russia.

Acts 16:6-10

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“Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.” Acts 16:6-7

On the map below, Phrygia is seen in the middle of the picture and Galatia is seen to the northeast from there. The Holy Spirit allowed Paul and Silas to go through those regions, and we all know about the Galatians from Paul’s letter sent to the Galatians. Also, people from Phrygia were gathered on the day of Pentecost [in Jerusalem] when the Holy Spirit was poured out, Acts 2:5-10. However, the Holy Spirit prohibited Paul and Silas from entering the region of Asia [between Mysia, Galatia, and Phrygia], but a door was opened by the Holy Spirit to enter Mysia, to the northwest of Asia. Yet, the Holy Spirit prohibited entry into Bithynia, just north of Asia.

The Holy Spirit forbids the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as much as He opens the door to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When the Holy Spirit forbids the sharing of the Good News, it’s because the heart, soul, and mind are closed to receiving the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit does not make an appearance where people are hostile to the testimony of Jesus. As Jesus says, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” Matthew 7:6

The doors that the Holy Spirit closed to Paul and Silas [Asia and Bithynia] are known as Russian territory. To this day, they are atheists, hardened against belief in God, hardened against the forgiveness of unbelief through Jesus Christ, and hardened against the presence of the Holy Spirit. The doors that the Holy Spirit opened to Paul and Silas led into Europe [Macedonia] and eventually the Americas. As seen on the maps above, on the top map you can see Asia and Bithynia, and on the lower map that territory is known today as European Russia and Russia.

If only Luke, Paul, and Silas could see how their ministry to the people of Macedonia opened the door to the whole world receiving the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Territory they didn’t even knew existed. As seen on the lower map above, Italy is just west of Macedonia, where Christopher Columbus is from. The Pilgrims were from England, northwest of Italy where the English Channel is. The Holy Spirit kept moving the testimony of Jesus to the west. The Gospel of Jesus continued to move west through Christopher Columbus, and then the Pilgrims, who sailed to the western world and brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. The western world, the Americas, were introduced to the testimony of Jesus because Paul had a vision to go to Macedonia.

The Holy Spirit shuts doors to prevent the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to unreceptive hearts but opens doors to share the Good News to those receptive. ^“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Acts 3:20

How did Paul end up in Macedonia? This verse explains, “So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:8-10

After passing by Mysia, Paul and Silas went to Troas, which is about 1/4″ southwest of Mysia [on the upper map above]. While at Troas, Paul saw a vision in the night of a man from Macedonia pleading with him to help the people of Macedonia. On the upper map above, Macedonia is across the Aegean Sea [to the northwest corner of the picture]. “We” in this verse is referring to Luke, who is writing the book of Acts, Paul, Silas, and Timothy [Paul recruited Timothy in Lystra, Acts 16:1-5]. They sailed across the Aegean Sea to Macedonia, believing that the Lord had called them to preach the Gospel there.

As followers of Jesus Christ, when the Holy Spirit prohibits the sharing of our born-again testimony, which is the Gospel of Jesus written on our heart, it is for a very important reason. When the Holy Spirit makes it possible to share the Good News it is also for a very important reason. In today’s atheistic world, do not be disheartened because the doors are closed to the message of the Cross. Just rejoice in knowing the Holy Spirit knows what He is doing and be prepared when the Holy Spirit opens a door, even a small one, to mention the name of Jesus as the Christ and Son of God.

It’s impossible for us to try to open hearts to Jesus Christ with clever words, our own sincerity, etc., the Holy Spirit has to be in the process for a person to be receptive to Jesus Christ. When the Holy Spirit is present, the door will be opened to Jesus and there will be communion in the Spirit of Christ. It’s a tragedy when people are so set against the teachings of the Bible that those doors have been closed.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11