A gate opens to a path or a city, perhaps a home. To go on the path or into the place requires a decision by the one travelling. The word “gates” can signify power or dominion because in old times judgment and legal business were done in the gates of cities.
Each of us is going somewhere and into concourse of some kind. Physically or temporally, someone might sit down and refuse to move but, spiritually, with every second of time, each of us is going to an eternal destination. “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: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13, 14).
“Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King” (Psalm 48:2). Go in with the King. God promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob blessings which extended to all families of the earth and would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Once when Jacob journeyed to Padan-Aram to marry a wife and work for his father-in-law, he stopped to rest and dreamed a dream in which God renewed His promise. Jacob awoke and realized he was in the awesome presence of God. “And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” (Genesis 28:17).
When God speaks to man or manifests in glory and power, He is opening an entry to Heaven and eternal life. We are given a choice to enter into His goodness. The earliest patriarchs worshipped Him by offering animal sacrifices; Israel sacrificed by the ceremonial law and all Old Testament worship pointed to the final and perfect sacrifice of Jesus the Son of God who is our only access to God and His Heaven.
The porter opens to them who have Jesus with them. Sin can never enter Heaven. Holiness is the path to life and the open gates of the city.
By salvation in Him, the nations will bring glory and honor (Revelation 21:26) into the city of God. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27). Since Jesus established Zion by His death and resurrection, the gospel is going into all the earth and unto the ends of the world (Romans 10:18).
The gates are open wide. God is giving life to all who will believe, repent, confess Christ and receive the baptisms of water and the Spirit. “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
“The Lord loveth the gates of Zion” (Psalm 87:2). God and man are doing business in the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem. Men and women are entering into the joys of the Lord or are turning away from the beautiful gates that lead to eternal life.
To enter Zion’s gates, we must open our hearts to Jesus Christ our Savior. Pledge Him your faith and enjoy His holy presence forever in mansions on streets of gold inside gates of pearl. “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” (Revelation 22:14).
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