Finishing the Gates
Today’s Verse:
Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out. After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel. ~Nehemiah 2:26-27
This morning, we are looking at the four remaining gates that Nehemiah rebuilt. Gates are essential as entry points. They are also essential for keeping unwanted intrusions from happening. All the gates we have looked at are essential to the Christian life and faith. We must go through each gate. We must also be careful of unwanted intrusions that could affect our belief and practices. ~Nehemiah 3:26-27
The first gate we see is the WATER GATE.
This gate was right after the gate of the fountain. The water gate was at the southeastern side of the wall, and was the means by which water came in. The people realized they needed a means by which water could be brought into the city from the rivers and mountain streams. Water is a necessary life source. If we go for more than two to three days without water, we will not only be severely dehydrated, but we will die. Jesus is the living water! He said that whosoever drinketh of the water that He gives shall never thirst again. The water gate speaks to us of the Word of God. The Word of God refreshes, rebukes, and cleanses our lives. This was the only gate that did not need repair. God’s Word is perfect and does not need to be fixed or improved upon.
The second gate we see is the HORSE GATE.
This gate was on the eastern side of the wall. Horses were an essential animal in war. Armies with horses were like modern armies with tanks. The horse gate is a picture of the spiritual armor we must wear for our spiritual battles. We must put on the whole armor of God in order to do battle with the spiritual darkness and principalities around us. We must be prepared to do battle against the enemies of the faith. The enemy would encamp or try to enter through the eastern side of the wall. Horses went in and out for battle through the horse gate. Let us be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
The third gate we see is the EASTERN GATE.
The Eastern Gate was called such because it was on the east side of the wall. It is symbolic of the second coming of our Lord. “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” The Rapture is when believers are snatched out of this world. The second coming, or revelation of Christ, is when we return from heaven with Him. At Jesus’ second coming, we will return with Him as He defeats all who are opposed to Him, and as He sets up His kingdom on earth. His coming is certain, sudden, and separating.
The fourth and final gate is the GATE MIPHKAD.
This gate was at the northeastern side of the wall. It is symbolic of the judgment seat of Christ. It is here where all believers must appear in heaven before the Lord to receive the things done in our bodies, whether good or bad. It is a time of evaluation for the purpose of rewards. Our sins were judged already when Jesus died on the cross for us. However, we have a day coming in which the Lord will evaluate what we did as stewards of what He placed into our hands. We will be judged for the souls we won to Christ and those we neglected to tell about Jesus. We will be judged on how well we did through our trials. We will be judged on the discipline of our lives. We will be judged on if we lived in anticipation of the Lord’s coming.
All ten gates needed to be repaired before the walls were repaired. Let us take time to search our hearts to see if the gates in our life have been neglected and are in need of repair or revival. Revive those gates and live victoriously in Christ!
Have a revived God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Leviticus 14-15