The Twelve Gates of Jerusalem
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
Nehemiah, Chapter 3 is one of the most important chapters in the Old Testament. I am sure that thousands of messages have been spoken about this chapter. On the surface, this chapter speaks of ten different gates of Jerusalem and the specific names of the men who helped to restore those gates. The order of each gate is very specific and gives us insight into the journey of each of God's chosen people, as well as the journey of the church as a whole until the return of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we could call them the gates of spiritual progression toward maturity. The book of Nehemiah, particularly Chapters 3 and 12, contains a panoramic outline of the walk of a believer, or perhaps we should say what the walk of all believers, both individually and corporately, should be. A gate, of course, is the entrance to something of value. If you have a Bible nearby, please turn to Nehemiah, Chapter 3.
One of the significant things in Nehemiah, Chapter 3, is that the whole process was a team effort. Everyone helped in whatever way they could to restore the gates. This is a picture of how the church is meant to operate. The pastor was never meant to be a one-man leader that does almost everything while the others relax and just sit in their padded pews. Each Christian believer is important and has gifts for the building up of the body of Christ.
No one got paid to rebuild the gates. They all volunteered knowing that the glory of God's name was the priority. They didn't expect to be rewarded for their work! Do those same characteristics apply to us Christians today? If we Christians think that we get our rewards in this life, we may tend to become discouraged. We should check our motives in the work that we do to ensure we are not doing it to receive temporal rewards here and now. We should all live with eternity in view. God takes the time to record names. The Bible doesn't just say "and many people made repairs to the gates." It specifically names each person that made repairs. About 40 specific names are recorded.
Malachi 3:16 says, "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name."
Our lives and actions have been recorded by the Lord for our rewards throughout all eternity. Nothing is done for the Lord in vain on this earth, even if no one else sees it. Three times in Matthew, chapter 6, verses 4, 6, and 18, Jesus said to give alms, pray, and fast, respectively, in secret, and the Father will reward us openly. Don't lose heart in your work for the Lord. God does not forget our work and the love which we have shown toward His name in having ministered to the saints as unto the Lord.
All things in the Bible, including repairing the gates, are accurate in their order and have important meanings. The order of the gates represents the growth in the faith by a believer. The order of the gates of Jerusalem moves counter-clockwise, starting with the Sheep Gate at the far North. Our clocks, which record time as we know it, move in a clockwise direction. The ways of the LORD move counter to our logical, carnal minds; they are counter-intuitive. His ways are higher than our ways. He must reveal His ways unto us or we can never know them.
All things in the Bible, including repairing the gates, are accurate in their order and have important meanings. The order of the gates represents the growth in the faith by a believer. The order of the gates of Jerusalem moves counter-clockwise, starting with the Sheep Gate at the far North. Our clocks, which record time as we know it, move in a clockwise direction. The ways of the LORD move counter to our logical, carnal minds; they are counter-intuitive. His ways are higher than our ways. He must reveal His ways unto us or we can never know them.
"The secret things belong to the LORD; the things revealed belong to man." Deuteronomy 29:29
Nehemiah 3:1-2
The restoring of the gates begins from the Sheep Gate because everything begins with the Lamb of God. The sheep and lambs used in the sacrifices were brought through the Sheep Gate. The high priest, Eliashib, with his brethren and priests repaired the Sheep Gate and set up its doors.
"Eliashib" in Hebrew means "God restores." Only the priests who had voluntarily returned from captivity were used by God to repair the gates. This corresponds to the priests who minister to the Lord, as recorded in Ezekiel, chapter 44, as distinct from the priests who minister to the house. God said, in Exodus 19:6,
"And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation."
In Acts 1:8, Jesus said to His disciples that "ye shall be witnesses unto me ..." Every born-from-above Christian is called to be a priest unto the Lord. We cannot be different people in and outside of church, nor are we any different when we are at home alone when no one can see us. One of the things that Jesus hated was the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They liked to be seen as "spiritual" among the people, but Jesus said they were actually whitewashed tombs. Our home life must be in good condition before ministering to others.
1 Timothy 3:5, "(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)"
Only our High Priest can restore the Sheep Gate, which represents the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus and thereby provides forgiveness of sins and our hope of full redemption. Through the Lord Jesus a man will be saved from the power of death, sin, and eternal damnation and saved unto eternal life. When we by the grace of God repent of our sins and believe in the Lord Jesus, then we can receive the initial phase of salvation ... being born again.
Jesus is the true Sheep Gate and all must come by trusting in Him to be saved. It is the starting point of everything, but the Sheep Gate is also mentioned at the very end of Nehemiah, chapter 12, in Verse 32. That is because everything starts and ends with Jesus. This speaks of the realization and acceptance that Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Glory and praise to our God! He is the Alpha and the Omega and everything in between.
Nehemiah 3:3-5 speaks of the Fish Gate. It was called the fish gate because fishermen would bring their catch in through this gate to be sold. After the Sheep Gate and being born from above, the fishing of men begins; in other words, preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Jesus said to follow Him and He will make us fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). That speaks of evangelism. After being born from above, our simple testimony of what Jesus has done in our life qualifies us to be great "fishers of men." This gate speaks of the church where believers on fire for God sacrifice everything and go out to turn the world upside down with the message of Jesus Christ! Starting with the Jews and then travelling out to the Gentiles in the then known world, the Apostles and disciples of the Lord truly were "fishers of men" and the growth of Christianity spread rapidly during the first century.
Nehemiah 3:6-12
Following the Fish Gate was the Old Gate. Nehemiah is the only book in the Bible where it is called the Old Gate, perhaps because it may have been one of the original gates built. The Old Gate speaks of the old man. The Lord Jesus doesn't repair the old man or make us better, but makes a new man through regeneration by the Holy Spirit. The Old Gate proclaims that the old man must die because the new man has been born. The Holy Spirit gives to believers the power to die to the flesh, resist sin, and choose the righteousness of God. Death of the flesh is God's gracious work by which Jesus's disciples have the ability to walk and live according to the will of God.
The old ways of truth never change.
Jeremiah 6:16, "Thus says the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."
Too many Christians today want something new ... the latest teaching, the latest experience ... or they try to change the truth to make it compatible with what the world thinks is right. But the Lord calls us back to His long-established ways that do not change but remain the same yesterday, today and forever.
Nehemiah 3:13 speaks about the Valley Gate, which represents the new way of living and walking or working out our salvation in Christ. For a new Christian, the Lord allows a honeymoon-type period when He teaches us and His presence is strong in our life. This can go on for some time because of the long distance between the Old Gate and the Valley Gate. But sooner or later the Valley Gate must come. This gate speaks of humbling and trials - valley-type experiences used by the Lord for our personal growth. In the natural realm nothing really grows on the mountain tops, but it certainly does down in the valleys. In the spiritual realm trials are rarely a pleasant experience but they always produce fruit.
This gate led out to the valley of Hinnom and is where Gehenna, a type of hell, is located. The valley is looked at in Scripture as one of weeping and the shadow of death. After we understand and accept the death of the flesh, we can begin to walk with God according to His will. The Valley Gate will take us not only through good things of the Lord but also through suffering, tribulation, and difficulties of all types. Sooner or later, our path toward the kingdom of God will take us through the Valley of Baca (weeping) ... a weeping not for ourselves but for the will of God to be done (Psalm 84:6). In reality, the valleys of weeping, suffering, tribulation, and difficulties are all good and God-ordained. God has chosen that method for us to mature in Christ. Jesus learned obedience from the things that He suffered (Hebrews 5:8).
Nehemiah 3:13 speaks about the Valley Gate, which represents the new way of living and walking or working out our salvation in Christ. For a new Christian, the Lord allows a honeymoon-type period when He teaches us and His presence is strong in our life. This can go on for some time because of the long distance between the Old Gate and the Valley Gate. But sooner or later the Valley Gate must come. This gate speaks of humbling and trials - valley-type experiences used by the Lord for our personal growth. In the natural realm nothing really grows on the mountain tops, but it certainly does down in the valleys. In the spiritual realm trials are rarely a pleasant experience but they always produce fruit.
This gate led out to the valley of Hinnom and is where Gehenna, a type of hell, is located. The valley is looked at in Scripture as one of weeping and the shadow of death. After we understand and accept the death of the flesh, we can begin to walk with God according to His will. The Valley Gate will take us not only through good things of the Lord but also through suffering, tribulation, and difficulties of all types. Sooner or later, our path toward the kingdom of God will take us through the Valley of Baca (weeping) ... a weeping not for ourselves but for the will of God to be done (Psalm 84:6). In reality, the valleys of weeping, suffering, tribulation, and difficulties are all good and God-ordained. God has chosen that method for us to mature in Christ. Jesus learned obedience from the things that He suffered (Hebrews 5:8).
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.Genesis 26:19
The purpose of digging was to find water. As we dig deeper into the spiritual things of the Kingdom of God rather than the literal surface meaning, then we will find holy and beautiful spiritual gifts of God. We grow and renew our mind daily according to the will of God by obeying the truth in love, as in Ephesians 4:15. It is very important that we fill our mind with the word of God and do not listen to the voice of the enemy. Digging deeper means that we are not only hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word (James 1:22). If we have head knowledge but we are not living according to the word of God, we are deceiving ourselves. By the grace of God, we must give our heart, mind and life as a living sacrifice, which is holy and acceptable to God, and is our reasonable service. We dare not conform ourselves to the sinful deeds of this world. We must be in the process of being changed by the Holy Spirit such that our mind shall be renewed to understand and live according to the good, acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). Walking with God is the same thing as the process of sanctification.
Nehemiah 3:14
Again, there is a long distance to the next gate, the Dung Gate, indicating that the valley experience can continue in our life for some time. All of Jerusalem's refuse and rubbish was taken out through the dung gate down to the valley of Hinnom, where it would be burned. This is what happens in our own life. Clearing away the rubbish in our lives is never easy but the benefits of this experience can be seen in the next gate.
Corporately, the dung gate speaks of the rubbish that became established within the church during the dark and medieval ages leading up to the reformation. Some of the doctrinal rubbish that needed removing included the teachings of indulgences, purgatory, salvation by various sacraments and works, the exaltation of Mary as the "Mother of God," the man-made church hierarchy and papal authority. There was a lot of rubbish to be removed! There still is a lot to be removed!
The Dung Gate describes how in practice the flesh will die. The things of this world, whether good or bad, are but dung when compared with the glory of the Lord. Paul, after describing all of his worldly achievements, said, in Philippians 3:7-12,
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,9 And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:10 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
The spiritual meaning of the Dung Gate is that sin ... the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life .. must be put away by the dying of our flesh and by walking the life of faith ... by walking in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16, "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
In the natural realm, walking is good exercise for our heart. In the spiritual realm, walking with God helps to perfect the condition of our spiritual heart.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Mark 7:21-23
All sins which occupy the heart of a man must die. We will not be perfect in our walking, but we must die to our flesh and grow in righteousness. God washes the heart of believers through faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we understand that we are not perfect but are growing toward it, there is no excuse for us to sin.
In the Old Covenant the burnt offering is prophetic of the dying of the flesh. The burnt offering is the first (and therefore most important) of the offerings described in the Book of Leviticus. It was the only offering when all of the sacrifice was burnt. The burnt offering speaks of complete and total consecration and devotion to God. In a burnt offering the animal was cut in pieces, the pieces were burnt, and the animal's inward parts and feet were washed with pure water. This teaches us that dying of the flesh is a process, where we are dying piece by piece just like the burnt offering. The animal's inward parts and feet, which were washed with pure water, says that when our heart is purified and we do the will of God, then our walking is pure and acceptable to God. "Pure feet" speaks of walking in the will of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. "Inward parts" describes our heart, which must be washed with pure water. In the Old Testament water describes the Holy Spirit, who will purify and cleanse our heart so that we can live, walk and work according to the will of God.
Nehemiah 3:15-25
The Fountain Gate was located extremely close to the dung gate. After a valley-type experience where rubbish in our lives is cleared out through the Dung Gate, true faith can come forth and the fountain begins to flow quickly! This speaks of the living waters of the Holy Spirit that cleanse our lives and empower us for our Christian walk.
In the natural realm, water is necessary for life. Water cleanses and purifies, protects our vital organs, regulates body temperature, and transports nutrients and oxygen into cells. In addition, water has a positive, external effect on the bodies of humans and animals. When a wild animal, such as a deer, is wounded, it will seek out and immerse itself in the healing balm of water. We humans have almost forgotten this knowledge because of our lost connection with nature. Taking some pills is much quicker for us humans.
1 And He shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:1-2
The Fountain Gate and the next gate, the Water Gate, both speak of water. In the Bible, gentle, peaceful water speaks of the Holy Spirit, who works within us to cleanse and purify us. A flood of water speaks of the judgment of God; for example, the flood in Noah's day and Isaiah 59:19 - when the enemy comes in like a flood.
Nehemiah 3:26-27
The Water Gate represents the word of God and its effect on our life. Ephesians 5:26 speaks of the washing of water by the word. Psalm 119:9 states that it is only through God's word that we can be clean. This gate was located next to the Fountain Gate as the two often go together. The Holy Spirit is the one who makes the word of God alive to us personally, providing cleansing, encouragement, and direction in our life.
The Gibeonites, who were bearers of water, carried water through this gate for the city (Joshua 9:27). They ministered life to the people in the form of natural water. Whereas the Fountain Gate speaks of the inner working of the Holy Spirit, the spiritual meaning of the Water Gate is the external working of the Holy Spirit through us. The Fountain Gate must precede the Water Gate because no one can minister to others what has not been made real in our personal life.
Anyone can read Scripture and memorize it. Anyone can listen to tapes and sermons and repeat what they have heard. But we must minister out from our experience with the Living Word through the power of the Holy Spirit.
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.38 He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-38
Nehemiah 3:28
The Horse Gate speaks of speed and warfare as horses were used in battle and became a symbol of war. The men of Jerusalem would ride their horses out of this gate to war. Spiritual warfare confronts every Christian because we are all in a battle whether we know it or not. We Christians were born into a war that we did not start and which we will not end. The Horse Gate follows the Water Gate for as the pure word goes forth spiritual warfare is sure to increase!
Both speed and warfare have certainly increased over the past 150 years. The speed of medical, technological, industrial and scientific advancements has been beyond comparison, but with it came two world wars, countless wars between nations and constant ethnic unrest. For the church, it has been one battle after another with the rise of cults, Biblical criticism, modernism, humanism and liberalism leading to an increasing apostasy within the church. The ultimate fulfilment prophetically of the Horse Gate will be the Day of the Lord as described in many different scriptures. The Lord Jesus will come out of heaven on a spiritual white horse to make battle. The overcomers, or the remnant, will be with Him but the battle is the Lord's. From Revelation 19:11-14,
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He himself.13 And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.Ephesians 6:12. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
All those who have been filled with the Holy Spirit have a part in spiritual warfare; our power source is the Holy Spirit. When we accept the work of the Holy Spirit in our heart (which is to affect our will and the work in our heart according to the will of God), then we will not walk in the deceptions of the enemy, and we can overcome lusts and desires of sin in our heart. By the grace of God, we are more than conquerors in spiritual battles through Christ, who loves us.
Nehemiah 3:29-30
The East Gate looks out toward the Mount of Olives. The East Gate speaks about the return of the Messiah and how His disciples are looking and waiting for the Lord Jesus to return. It shows us our need to live with hope.
A crown of righteousness is given to those who do this,
2 Timothy 4:7-8, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing."
Ezekiel 44:1-3 "... the gate that looked toward the east, and it was shut. The Lord said to me, This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it, for the Lord God of Israel has entered by it."
Prophetically, the East Gate is very close to the Horse Gate because the day of God's wrath is close to the coming of the Lord Jesus to earth. The Lord will enter spiritual Jerusalem through this gate in a future day.
Zechariah 14:4, "And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south."
Nehemiah 3:31
The final gate which was repaired was the Miphkad Gate, also known as the Inspection Gate. The spiritual meaning of the Gate Miphkad is "the place of the presence of God." The Miphkad Gate reminds us that Christ dwells in us with the Holy Spirit and the soon coming of the Lord.
According to tradition, David met his troops at this gate to inspect them. This gate speaks of the examination of our lives by the Lord. Paul indicates this in
The final gate which was repaired was the Miphkad Gate, also known as the Inspection Gate. The spiritual meaning of the Gate Miphkad is "the place of the presence of God." The Miphkad Gate reminds us that Christ dwells in us with the Holy Spirit and the soon coming of the Lord.
According to tradition, David met his troops at this gate to inspect them. This gate speaks of the examination of our lives by the Lord. Paul indicates this in
1 Corinthians 4:4, "For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but He that judgeth me is the Lord."
The ultimate fulfilment is at the judgment seat of Christ, as spoken of in 1 Corinthians 3: 13-15, when our lives are inspected and rewarded appropriately. In our Christian experience, we should be living with this in mind. Matthew 25:31-46 records the judgment of the nations following the return of the Lord. He will separate all the people into those that can enter into His kingdom on earth (the sheep) and those that are to go into everlasting destruction (the goats). Then the Lion of Judah shall reign in His Messianic Kingdom!
Nehemiah 3:32, "And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants." The life of a believer starts at the Sheep Gate and returns to the Sheep Gate. Jesus is our Salvation. He is the fulfillment of the Sheep Gate. The goldsmiths and the merchants speak of money and material things. Very shortly after the Lord sovereignly and dramatically apprehended me, He emphasized two things to me. One was the sovereignty of God; the other was the relationship of a Christian with money. Unless we Christians get both of those two things right, it is very difficult to enter the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus said, in Matthew 19:24 that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
Nehemiah 3:32, "And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants." The life of a believer starts at the Sheep Gate and returns to the Sheep Gate. Jesus is our Salvation. He is the fulfillment of the Sheep Gate. The goldsmiths and the merchants speak of money and material things. Very shortly after the Lord sovereignly and dramatically apprehended me, He emphasized two things to me. One was the sovereignty of God; the other was the relationship of a Christian with money. Unless we Christians get both of those two things right, it is very difficult to enter the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus said, in Matthew 19:24 that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
Revelation 22:14. "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
In that verse, we are exhorted to enter through the gates into the city ... spiritual Jerusalem.
What gates are spoken of? all of them. There are no short cuts. We are exhorted to walk through and experience all 10 of His gates. The ten gates were entries into Jerusalem, but not entrance to the holy place or the holy of holies. Nehemiah, Chapter 3, speaks of repairing only 10 gates. The number 10 in Scripture speaks of testing. However, Scripture speaks of twelve gates around Jerusalem. The number 12 in Scripture signifies governmental perfection. Isaiah, Chapter 9, Verses 6 and 7 say that the government shall be on the shoulders of the Lord, and of the increase of His government there shall be no end.
Revelation 21:21-22, "And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. "
A "natural pearl" is formed without any human intervention at all, in the wild, and is very rare. A "cultured pearl," on the other hand, is one that has been formed on a pearl farm. The great majority of pearls on the market are cultured pearls, formed by expert, human intervention. Imitation or fake pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive jewelry, but the quality of the iridescence is usually very poor, and fake pearls are usually quite easy to distinguish from the real thing. It is not difficult to discern evil. However, in the realm of the Spirit, it requires the discernment given by the Holy Spirit to distinguish between cultured pearls and natural pearls ... between that which is "good" and the will of God. In the natural realm, a string of "natural pearls" is so expensive that only a very small part of the human population could afford it. In the spiritual realm, only a small part of the church is willing to buy such a pearl. The price we must pay is everything we are and everything we own.
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46
There is no discrepancy between the 10 gates and the 12 gates, because the other two gates never need any repair. We read about the other two gates, the Ephraim Gate and the Prison Gate, in Nehemiah, Chapter 12, Verse 39.
"And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate."
Only the Lord has the keys to the Ephraim Gate and the Prison Gate.
The Ephraim Gate was on the north side of Jerusalem looking out to the fruitful land of Ephraim, which means doubly fruitful (Jew and Gentile). The Ephraim Gate speaks of the bountiful, all sufficient, and everlasting blessings of God for those who have completed their journey through all of the 10 gates to the pleasure and satisfaction of the Lord. That results in Christ in you, the hope of glory.
The Prison gate was also inside Jerusalem, where they kept prisoners; it likewise needed no repair. In Acts 12:1-19, Herod, the king of Judah, killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also and put him in prison, intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people and kill him also. Peter therefore was kept in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. When Herod would have brought Peter forth to kill him, the same night the angel of the Lord came upon Peter and his chains fell off from his hands. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that led into the city, which opened to them of his own accord. Acts 12:10 is the only place in the Bible that references the iron gate, which was the Prison Gate. The angel and Peter went out of the Prison Gate and passed on through one street. Then the angel departed from Peter. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Throughout the centuries, iron gates confront both the saved and the sinner. Some of the many iron gates or prison gates that imprison the chosen people of God from time to time are self-righteousness, pride, doubt, unbelief, discouragement, despair, rejection, condemnation, stress, weariness, guilt, and fear of death. However, if we stand fast and trust completely in the Lord, He will provide safe passage through every iron gate, even natural death. Isaiah, Chapter 11, verses 6 through 16 clearly have not yet been fulfilled. Isaiah 11:11 says,
The Ephraim Gate was on the north side of Jerusalem looking out to the fruitful land of Ephraim, which means doubly fruitful (Jew and Gentile). The Ephraim Gate speaks of the bountiful, all sufficient, and everlasting blessings of God for those who have completed their journey through all of the 10 gates to the pleasure and satisfaction of the Lord. That results in Christ in you, the hope of glory.
The Prison gate was also inside Jerusalem, where they kept prisoners; it likewise needed no repair. In Acts 12:1-19, Herod, the king of Judah, killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also and put him in prison, intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people and kill him also. Peter therefore was kept in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. When Herod would have brought Peter forth to kill him, the same night the angel of the Lord came upon Peter and his chains fell off from his hands. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that led into the city, which opened to them of his own accord. Acts 12:10 is the only place in the Bible that references the iron gate, which was the Prison Gate. The angel and Peter went out of the Prison Gate and passed on through one street. Then the angel departed from Peter. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Throughout the centuries, iron gates confront both the saved and the sinner. Some of the many iron gates or prison gates that imprison the chosen people of God from time to time are self-righteousness, pride, doubt, unbelief, discouragement, despair, rejection, condemnation, stress, weariness, guilt, and fear of death. However, if we stand fast and trust completely in the Lord, He will provide safe passage through every iron gate, even natural death. Isaiah, Chapter 11, verses 6 through 16 clearly have not yet been fulfilled. Isaiah 11:11 says,
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea."
That verse says that we Christians right now are in captivity, in bondage to eight different captors.
Many years ago, my wife, Linda, was disinherited by her natural father because she was a Christian. Apparently, he believed his wealthy empire was more important than his only daughter. She suffered from a deep sense of rejection, even though she knew and fully believed all of the scriptures pertaining to healing and deliverance. Prayers of many saints, including me, did not help either. It took a toll spiritually, emotionally, and physically. She had trouble sleeping, would wake up with a headache, suffered extreme fatigue, and began to experience abdominal pain. After nine long months, the Lord sovereignly and suddenly led her out through that iron gate and instantaneously set her free and filled her heart with joy. Only the Lord can set us free from our many prison gates. Glory be to God! No one can understand the deep hurt of being rejected by their earthly father unless they experience the same rejection. The greatest rejection that Jesus experienced was when He who knew no sin became sin on the cross and died. Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
Many years ago, my wife, Linda, was disinherited by her natural father because she was a Christian. Apparently, he believed his wealthy empire was more important than his only daughter. She suffered from a deep sense of rejection, even though she knew and fully believed all of the scriptures pertaining to healing and deliverance. Prayers of many saints, including me, did not help either. It took a toll spiritually, emotionally, and physically. She had trouble sleeping, would wake up with a headache, suffered extreme fatigue, and began to experience abdominal pain. After nine long months, the Lord sovereignly and suddenly led her out through that iron gate and instantaneously set her free and filled her heart with joy. Only the Lord can set us free from our many prison gates. Glory be to God! No one can understand the deep hurt of being rejected by their earthly father unless they experience the same rejection. The greatest rejection that Jesus experienced was when He who knew no sin became sin on the cross and died. Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
Isaiah 61:1-3, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified."
Who is speaking in these verses? Who is the "me" in these verses? only the Lord Jesus Christ.
The significance of the gates is another example of the awesome provisions of the Lord for His chosen people. I believe that no man comprehends how far man has fallen from the beauty of the Lord. Likewise, I believe that none of us comprehends the magnitude of the majesty, glory, and awesomeness of the Lord. Just as the Creator is greater than what He creates, the Provider is greater than what He provides. May we all continue to press on to know the Provider. Amen.
The significance of the gates is another example of the awesome provisions of the Lord for His chosen people. I believe that no man comprehends how far man has fallen from the beauty of the Lord. Likewise, I believe that none of us comprehends the magnitude of the majesty, glory, and awesomeness of the Lord. Just as the Creator is greater than what He creates, the Provider is greater than what He provides. May we all continue to press on to know the Provider. Amen.
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