Nehemiah the cupbearer to the King Artaxerxes I of Persia,
got written permission to rebuild Jerusalem during the Second Temple Period. He
was instrumental in the rebuilding and reestablishment of Jerusalem in the Fifth
century B.C. following the Babylonian exile.
In chapter 3 of Nehemiah, there is a description of rebuilding
the wall. Ten gates are mentioned in this chapter which describes the
development of a person on a journey with Lord Yeshua our Messiah for eternity. We
are a citizen of heaven on our journey on earth as children of the kingdom of God. As
it is written: For we are strangers before
thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the
earth are as a shadow, and there is none
abiding. (1 Chronicles 29:15).
Further in the New Testament, it is written, for our citizenship is in Heaven, from which also we
are looking for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians
3:20)
The ten gates start with Sheep Gate which represents
the sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of entire mankind
including you and me. We have to hear our Shepherd’s voice as mentioned; Truly, truly, I say to you, He who does not enter
into the sheepfold by the door, but going up by another way, that one is a
thief and a robber. But he who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the
sheep. (John 10:1-2).
Second is Fish Gate which represents the cry for saving
souls for the kingdom of Heaven, as you become a disciple of Lord Jesus
Christ when you witness a personal miracle in your life like Peter. And Jesus said to them, Come after Me and I will make
you fishers of men. (Mark 1:17). Our
job is to put Holy Spirit guided efforts to bring others to have a personal
experience of Lord Jesus Christ.
The third is Old Gate which represents the Truth for
Eternity as mentioned in the Old Testament and God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM. And He
said, So you shall say to the sons of Israel, I AM has sent me to you. (Exodus
3:14) Further Our Lord Jesus said to Thomas, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes
to the Father but by Me. (John 14:6)
Fourth is Valley Gate which represents the Humility
as mentioned in Psalmists, mentions
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your
staff, they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4). Our
Lord Jesus Christ extends his invitation to us, Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek
and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls. (Matthew
11:29)
The fifth is Dung Gate represents the Garbage i.e. Old
Self. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin so
that grace may abound? (Romans 6:1) If we
continue to do it, then this will happen But the word of the true proverb has happened
to them: The dog turning to his own vomit; and, The washed
sow to wallowing in the mire. (2 Peter 2:22)
Sixth is Fountain Gate represents Holy Spirit- Ruach
haKodesh as mentioned in Old Testament - Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, this is
the Word of Jehovah to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by
My Spirit, says Jehovah of Hosts. (Zechariah 4:6). In new
Testament and disciples were
all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the
Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)
Seventh is Water Gate which represents Living word The Greek word “Rhema”, as it is written; Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the
Word of God. (Romans 10:17). The
promises mentioned in the Living Word of God becomes a personal word for your situation.
Eight is Horse Gate which represents the Spiritual
Warfare. We realize the struggle against SIN is very real. We resist the
devil only by the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As it is written; A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but
victory comes from Adonai. (Proverbs 21:31).
Nine is East gate which represents Hope. The hope of Resurrection
in Lord Yeshua our Messiah as it is written; For the Lord, Himself shall come down from heaven with
a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the blast of God’s
shofar, and the dead in Messiah shall rise first. Then we who are alive, who
are left behind, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet
the Lord in the air—and so we shall always be with the Lord. (1
Thessalonians 4:16-17).
The tenth is Inspection Gate which represents
Sanctification. Move every day of our life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit as it
is written; For God has not given us
a spirit of timidity but of power and love and self-discipline. (2
Timothy 1:7).
These ten gates are spiritual experiences by a believer
in their spiritual journey which moves around the central focus i.e. temple a
place of meeting Living God of Heaven and Earth. Where is the temple for us? As it
is written; Don’t you know that you
are God’s temple and that the Ruach Elohim dwells among you? If anyone destroys
God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are
that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)
Remember
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to
receive glory and honour and power, For You created all things, and because of
Your will they existed and were created!” (Revelation 4:11)
Adonai Lord Yeshua our Messiah is coming soon!
By: Dr. Shine David
