Going Through the Gate

by Bart⁽²³⁾

Gates are significant in the Word of God. They have several purposes, some obvious, and some with great significance for the church, and the follower of Christ.

A gate leads from one atmosphere to another. When we enter a gate at someone's home, we enter from the world into a person's private property. Cities have gates, though in the form of a boundary line, yet very real. Often a city (officials) would recognize a special community ‘hero’ with a key to the city. This key unlocks nothing, but grants the holder access to anything within the city; it is symbolic.

In the Bible, gates, among other things, grant access to cities. The best example I can give is the future city New Jerusalem, with 12-gates surrounding this city (Rev 21:12-13). The purpose of these gates is to grant you and I access to our home within these walls, and to keep the defiled out. So important are these gates, that the Lord will have angelic guards posted continually at these access points; at least throughout the millennial age. But there are other purposes for gates in the Bible, and it is these purposes I want to examine.

In Genesis 22 we read the account of Abraham commanded by the Lord to take his young son Isaac, to Mount Moriah to sacrifice him there. We know that the Lord stopped Abraham just as he was about to sacrifice his son. The Lord gave Abraham the following promise because of his faith in trusting Him: Genesis 22:17-18 " That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; (18) And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. " Here we discover that the Lord referred to " gate " as something other than a point of entry. Here it could literally mean that the seed of Abraham would possess the cities of his enemies, however, I would like to suggest something else, I would submit to you that the word gate here, in its singular form, means the seat of government, power and authority. God is saying, " And thy seed shall possess the power and authority of his (meaning Israel) enemies. "

Years later when Isaac was a grown man, a servant goes to find a wife for him. They bring Rebekah back to Isaac to be his wife. Before she makes the journey to meet Isaac a blessing is spoken over her (keep in mind that speaking blessings in Scripture is a very serious thing. It is a form of prophesying over family members, releasing the Lord to do a specific work in their lives): Genesis 24:60 " And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them. " Again think of the word gate as meaning power and authority. In their blessing to Rebekah they are speaking into reality, that she would be the mother of thousands of millions (the Jewish nation), and that her seed (Israel), will posses the power and authority of those that hate them. Here we can see why the Lord tells us that those that bless Israel will be blessed and those that curse Israel will be cursed.

There are specific examples in the Bible where the city gate is the seat of government. The leaders of the city would meet at the city gate and conduct the affairs of the city government, and to assist the citizens of the city with their personal and legal affairs. There was a lady named Ruth that lost her husband. She traveled with her mother-in-law, Naomi, to Israel. She caught the eye of a man named Boaz. He wanted to marry Ruth but there were complications. Boaz was related to Ruth's late husband. In Israeli law, when a man dies, his nearest kinsman was to marry his widowed wife, to raise seed and preserve the family inheritance. In the case with Boaz, there was a kinsman nearer to Ruth's late husband. Boaz had to confront this man to see if he intends to marry Ruth or willing to negotiate terms with him. They met at the city gate to conduct this business. Ruth 4:1-2 " Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. (2) And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.” As we read on, Boaz, successfully negotiated terms to be able to have Ruth as his wife, and raise a family.

There are many other examples in the Old Testament of a city gate being the place of governmental power and authority, however, I would like to show you an example from the New Testament of what Jesus proclaims concerning us His church: Matthew 16:13-18 " When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (14) And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. (15) He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (16) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. " We have a promise from God, that the power and authority of hell will not prevail against God's church. The kingdom of darkness will not prevail over the kingdom of light. The kingdom of hell will not prevail over the kingdom of heaven. For you that are in ministry: You may be under the attack of Satan; you may feel defeated or that you cannot go on serving. You may have the feeling of being burnt out or that what you are doing for the Lord has little value or worth. I have taken note that in recent days it seems that many in the church, that are serving, are under attack. There are infirmities, hardships, and attacks from others, both within and without the church. It appears to be one of the hardest times in the history of the church to serve. Read of the accounts of what is happening to Christians in Pakistan, and other parts of the world, where it can cost you your life to be a follower of Jesus. Let me say this as well, we need to wake up in the church, for the persecution in countries that we label ‘third world’, are starting to take place in countries that we call the ‘West’. The infirmities, hardships, and attacks that are being experienced by Christians, in my view, will become increasingly worse, as Satan knows his time is short. He is on an all out attack against all those who have the Spirit of God dwelling within them. You who are serving the Lord, please take comfort in the fact, that even though Satan may unleash his relentless attacks, he and all of hell will never prevail against you, because you are part of Christ’ church. For those of you who are thinking of getting involved in ministry or have a vision of wanting to do something for the Lord in His church, do not allow Satan to defeat you before you get started. Satan and the demons of hell will never prevail against Christ’ church, no matter how hard they try, but, we all must understand the tactics of Satan.

As the church is moving rapidly towards the Rapture (when the church will be taken off the earth by Jesus), Satan is shifting his tactics. His primary concentration over the centuries has been doing all he can to keep people from salvation. The church is at the point now that not many are being saved. The church is not evangelizing; in fact, the growth of the mainstream church in the ‘West’ is from families shifting from one congregation to another, not through evangelism. I am going to make a bold statement here, if for nothing else, to challenge your thinking: Who do you think make up the largest people group entering heaven today? As a Christian, if you believe life begins at conception, and that children go to heaven if they die before reaching an age of accountability, then the answer to my question above is: Aborted babies. Think about this sobering thought for a moment. In the USA alone there are an average of 1.5 million known abortions every year. Abortion is listed as one of the most common medical procedures performed in the USA. I googled the question on how many abortions take place every year, and the answer that came up was, “Millions upon billions, especially in off shore clinics and China.” Do you think that millions upon billions are being saved each year through personal soul-winning and evangelism? Satan has made the church of today ineffective in reaching people for the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is another question I would like for you to ponder: If Satan’s plan is to keep people out of heaven, why isn’t his warfare directed at ending abortions? If millions upon billions enter heaven every year through abortion, then why isn’t Satan interested in stopping it? I believe Satan has an agenda that the church is not fully aware of. What was once a secondary tactic of his has now become his primary tactic, and that is to have Christians enter heaven ‘naked’. Let me explain (short version): Children of God will one day face what the Bible calls the Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom 14:10-13, 2 Cor 5:10, 1 Cor 3:11-15). This judgment has nothing to do with salvation, and everything to do with rewards. As a Christian, what we do on earth for the Lord will determine rewards and crowns we will receive in heaven. What is the significance of receiving these things? They are not just for a pat on the back, an atta-boy, or good on-ya mate. Rewards will be those things that will enable us to serve with the Lord throughout eternity. In other words, the rewards we receive in heaven will determine what we will do throughout eternity. The Bible does not tell us what these rewards are specifically, outside of the crowns we can receive, however, the Word of God makes it clear that we can lose the rewards that we earn, and even enter heaven with nothing. Do a study for yourself by reading the kingdom parables in the Gospels, and studying the letters to the churches in Rev 2-3, along with passages by Paul dealing with rewards. Satan’s plan is to make Christians ineffective, so they lose out in rewards, thereby, losing out in position of ruling and responsibility in the Kingdom of Heaven. Since Satan cannot defeat Christ’ purpose for the cross, he will try to defeat Christ in His plan for eternity. Do not enter haven naked; being saved only, with nothing done in service for the Lord. Read what Jesus writes to the church in Laodicea: Rev 3:15-18 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Jesus, the creator of heaven and earth, immortal God, is sick to his stomach to the point of vomiting. Why? Because He is sick of lukewarm Christianity. Do not fall into this category allowing Satan, or anyone else, to rob you of what you can do for the Lord. Even though Satan will not ultimately prevail against the church, we have a personal call and duty to ‘fight’ (Eph 6:12-18, 2 Cor 10:3-4, et al). The Bible tells us that in the last days there will be a great falling away of the faith (2 Thess 2:3). Read: Hebrews 3:13-14 “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” This passage is not talking about salvation. If we want to be made partakers of Christ in His kingdom (in service), then do not let Satan, or anyone, deceive you through false doctrines and sin. Romans 8:37 tells us that we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. If we are defeated, it is because we allow ourselves to be. We need to allow the circumstances and adversities of life bring us to maturity in Christ, not defeat us. As Satan attacks, turn it into opportunities to praise and worship the Lord. 2 Timothy 2:12a “If we suffer (meaning to bear trials, persevere), we shall also reign (be co-regents) with him”. Reigning with Christ is not an automatic thing that will happen for all believers. Only those that do his will, which includes persevering through trials, will have the honour of reigning with Christ.

My title is, ‘Going Through the Gate’, so what ‘gates’ are there that we need to go through? The first gate, which is one that leads from one atmosphere to another, is found in Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Everyone will enter a gate that leads from this life to the next. Most will enter the broad gate that leads to destruction (hell), while few enter the strait gate that leads to life (heaven). People will need to decide if they will accept salvation in Christ or not; and not deciding, is still making a choice. Do nothing and you shall surely go through the broad gate of “destruction”. Trust Christ by faith now, and you will be firmly fixed on that path less traveled, which leads through that narrow gate.

Another gate to present to you is actually called a “gap” in the Word of God. It is found in Ezekiel 22. The context is that the land of Israel needed judgment and cleansing. People were being led astray, oppressed, robbed, deceived, and maltreated, especially the poor; much like our world today. Ezek 22:30 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” The Lord was looking for someone to stand in the gap, to make up the hedge; someone to make a difference and turn a people back to the Lord; but, He found none. The Lord is still looking for people today to make up that hedge, and stand in that gap; will it be you?

One last gate, this time one of example, is a gate of healing. We all need healing at one point or another in our lives. Healing can be physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. Acts 3:1-11 " Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. (2) And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; (3) Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. (4) And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. (5) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. (6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (7) And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. (8) And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (9) And all the people saw him walking and praising God: (10) And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. (11) And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. " How many times do you think Jesus, along with His disciples, walked past this man during His earthly ministry? Jesus healed multitudes of people but not this man. Why do you think this was? The reason is found in the gate this lame man was set at; more so in the name used of this gate in this passage. This gate was an access point into the temple to worship God. This man because of his lameness, was not permitted to enter this temple gate. It seems that his desire was to enter the temple to worship God, or at least to have a means of buying food from the good hearted people that entered the temple courts. This gate is called “Beautiful” in our passage. Actually it was the eastern gate of the temple known as the, ‘Nicanor’ gate. Here we see Peter and John coming to the temple to pray, this was sometime after Jesus had ascended into heaven; they see this lame man and reach out to him, taking him by the hand, and the Lord heals him. Why now and not when Jesus was on the earth ministering? It is all in the word “Beautiful”. This word is taken from the Greek word horaios meaning the right hour or season; timely. Jesus delayed healing this man until it was the right time for Him to display His glory. If you read on in Acts 3, Peter, taking advantage of this miracle, begins to preach, and 3,000 souls are saved that same day. The Lord has a perfect time for everything, and when He works in our lives it is a beautiful thing. If you need a touch from the Lord, call upon Him: Jer 33:3 “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

One last gate to present to you is actually called a “gap” in the Word of God. It is found in Ezekiel 22. The context is that the land of Israel needed judgment and cleansing. People were being led astray, oppressed, robbed, deceived, and maltreated, especially the poor; much like our world today. Ezek 22:30 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” The Lord was looking for someone to stand in the gap, to make up the hedge; someone to make a difference and turn a people back to the Lord; but, He found none. The Lord is still looking for people today to make up that hedge, and stand in that gap; will it be you?

The Lord’s plan is for people to put their faith and trust in Him. I will call this going through the gate of salvation. Paul was so concerned about losing his crown that he wrote: (1 Cor 9:27) “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” He did all to stand against the devil, and we are encouraged to do the same. Emerson, stated it this way, “All the words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, it might have been.” The Lord desires His children to follow Him by faith, doing His will, which He will greatly reward, and that reward will go with us throughout eternity. I will call this going through the gate of service. And lastly, when we are in need of healing, a touch from the Lord, we are to trust God by faith and go through that Beautiful gate, knowing we will receive of Him, just at the right time. I will call this going through the gate of strength. May you all find salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, and spend your life in service to Him, trusting Him to strengthen you in all things, knowing that your reward will be great in heaven.

Article submitted Saturday, June 13, 2009 & read 2250 times.

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» left by Teresa^(1,655) (2 years 239 days ago.)

Bart, this is wonderful explanation of the many gates in Scripture. I appreciate the time you took in putting together an indepth study. There are many things to ponder as a student of the bible, and at the same time, s simple explanation of what it takes to enter into the salvation of God. Very well done. It is great to hear from you again. Blessings to you! Teresa
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» left by Teresa^(1,655) (2 years 239 days ago.)

oops, that should be 5 stars :-)
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» left by Bart⁽²³⁾ (2 years 239 days ago.)

Thanks so much for your kind words Teresa. I have been so busy that I haven't been able to write as much as I would like. My prayer is that what the Lord puts on my heart will be a blessing. Thank you for writing, it's good hearing from you. In HIm,

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