Regarding the gates being shut, that is during the millenial reign as I recall so it may not apply here.
Yes, it has changed my life.
I have always looked forward to going to heaven. It is something that is ever present in my thoughts. When a saint dies, I feel a certain jealousy if I may in that they got to go where I plan to go one day. They got there first.
Now, having had a taste of what it will be like, my longing has greatly increased and I am sharing this event with everyone that I can who wants to listen.
I guess, in one sense it has caused me to reach out more to others than in the past. I now know that it is real and want to see as many others as possible make it.