(John 10:1-21) We have seen that each of the Gates of Old Jerusalem rebuilt by Nehemiah following the return of the Babylonian exiles, carries particular spiritual truths that Scriptures reveal to us. Jesus once firmly reminded the two despondent disciples on the road to Emmaus following Jesus’ crucifixion with these words: “Was it not necessary... Continue Reading →
(Nehemiah 3:31) The Inspection Gate, also called Muster Gate or Miphkad Gate. You may also have a footnote in your Bible that refers to it as Hammiphkad Gate. Miphkad means ‘counting’ or ‘numbering’ and is the place where the King would inspect his troops, and number them. Spiritually, this is the gate that signifies that... Continue Reading →
(Nehemiah 3:29) The East Gate has several names: Golden Gate; The Beautiful Gate; or The Gate of Mercy. This Gate is the closest in proximity to the Temple whereby worshippers would enter bringing their gifts and offerings. This Gate faces the Mt of Olives, and would have been in direct line of sight when Jesus... Continue Reading →
(Nehemiah 3:28) In the ancient world, horses were symbols of power and instruments of war. In Deuteronomy 17:16, God warns that any future King of Israel must not acquire too many horses. We may ask why, but the biblical reason given time and again is plain: The more we trust in our own might and... Continue Reading →
(Nehemiah 3:26) Following the life-giving regenerative power of the Fountain Gate, we come to the Water Gate. The Old Testament often symbolised water so as to sybolise the Holy Spirit. This is the singular fact that enables a believer to live a holy life under God’s saving grace. For without the Holy Spirit, we have... Continue Reading →
Nehemiah 3:15. The Fountain Gate is located very close to the Dung Gate at the southernmost point of the wall. In the spiritual life, the great promise of salvation is intrinsic to getting rid of our sin - or the rubbish that accumulates and hinders our relationship with our Holy God - and the Dung... Continue Reading →
Nehemiah 3:14. When a person has been through the valley of the shadow of death, or in some other way, experienced a season of being in the valley of the dark night of the soul, there will be a sense that God has sharpened, or pruned or weaned us off what was either sinful or... Continue Reading →
Nehemiah 3:13 Moving on from the Old Gate, we come to the Valley Gate, which is located at the “pinch point” of the Old City walls, with the Water Gate being directly opposite it. Once we have learned that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd (Sheep Gate) and the Saviour of the world to whom... Continue Reading →
Nehemiah 3:6-12 The Old Gate can speak of spiritual realities in two distinctive directions: The Old Gate symbolises the old ways of the faith that God has already revealed. In order to be mastered by Christ, by repentant faith, we also learn the old faith from those who have been mastered by him. “Thus says... Continue Reading →
2. The Fish Gate (Nehemiah 3:3) This is the Gate that speaks about evangelism. Fish caught in the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee and any trade from the surrounding nations, notably Syria, were brought to Jerusalem for sale at the markets through this Gate. Therefore, after the Sheep Gate, we follow Jesus with a... Continue Reading →
Gralefrit Theology 