Thought for the Month

"Your gates will remain open at all times; they will not be shut during the day or at night. You will name your walls, ‘Deliverance,’ and your gates, ‘Praise.’" (Isaiah 60:11,18 NET)

Iron gates and railings came down in British towns and cities at the start of the Second World War. The reason was the metal was needed for the war effort although far more was taken than was used and some was not suitable. It was not done willingly by some at least.

Psalm 24 talks of opening gates for the King of glory to come in. This was before the building of the first Temple by King Solomon, and it could be that God would enter the Temple and there dwell with the people of Jerusalem and all Israel. It could be an allusion to Jesus coming to Jerusalem to pay the ransom sacrifice for the sins of the world. Then from Jerusalem he would ascend to heaven after forty days

Gates were important in Old Testament times. They were the entry and exit points for residents and visitors. They were also places of business like it was for Boaz in the book of Ruth (Ruth 4:1‑2,11) and when Abraham purchased the field and cave of Machpelah. (Gen.23:10) They were constructed in such a way an enemy at the gate would be entering a trap where missiles could be poured down, to not be a weakness in their defensive walls; also they were places of judgment for the elders. (Deut.16:18; Deut.21:18‑21) [They lived in Israel, Laurence H. Bunker]

Jerusalem was one such city. At the three annual festivals the Israelites would come up to the Temple to offer sacrifices, worship and praise to Yahweh. Every righteous person would do so, [Jesus went up to Jerusalem with his parents at the age of twelve for the Passover, (Luke 2:41‑42)] hence the many mentions in the Bible.

The gate to life was preached by Jesus in the Sermon on the mount. He stated "narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to life and there are few who find it!" (Matt.7:14 NET) Jesus’ life was difficult and the New Testament writers indicated it so after Jesus died. Today the Christian way through this Gospel age (Christian era) can be hard and difficult.

Death is a gate that people will find in life. (Matt.7:13) But this is not the end. There is a gateway to the next age, the Messianic age. Some wonder if the end of the world is coming as if it means the end of human life on this planet. A look at the Greek gives the answer; it is the end of the age not of the world, a gateway to the next age or time period.

There are twelve gates in the New Jerusalem. (Rev.21:9‑21) This shows the new arrangement in Christ’s kingdom for the government of the next age. They are made of pearl which pictures the saints of this age who have been tried and tested in this imperfect world. In that day the gates of Jerusalem and New Jerusalem will be open all the time showing that everyone will have full opportunity to be educated in spiritual matters and in God’s plan that had not done so before. (Isa.60:11; Rev.21:25)

God will open the gates of eternity never to be closed...all people living peacefully and in harmony with our Lord Jesus and our heavenly Father.

Rejoicing are they now who have opened the gates of their hearts and minds to let the Gospel of Christ in.