SATURDAY April 7, 2018

The Gates of Jerusalem

 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs in front of his dwelling. - >Nehemiah 3:30

Yesterday we discovered the symbolic meanings to three gates of Jerusalem: the Sheep Gate, the Fish Gate and the Old Gate. Now we have come to the location of the Valley Gate in Nehemiah 3:13. It was situated in the south west corner of the city. This gate speaks of a believer’s trials and sufferings (2 Corinthians 1:3-5), and everything that a Christian goes through as God tests their heart, in the Kingdom of God.

The Refuge Gate in Nehemiah 3:14, was a very significant gate. It was placed in the southernmost tip of the city, near the pool of Siloam. In the Old Testament times it used to be called the Valley of Hell. It was an area where the people burned their trash and also where they burned their children to the god Molech. It speaks symbolically of the carnal believer––a person who walks in the flesh and who are not fully submitted to God.

Then the Fountain Gate in Nehemiah 3:15, was located on the east wall just north of the Dung Gate. The Fountain Gate speaks of the Holy Spirit, and His work in the life of the believer (John 7:37-39). This was where Jesus spoke, at the Feast of Tabernacles, about the Spirit of God which would become as living water overflowing from a believer’s heart.

The symbolism behind these three gates can relate to us as Christians. We will go through valleys––a time of suffering, but God is always with us: 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 (Psalm 23:4). We are warned that those who live a life in the flesh––according to their earthly appetites, risk eternal judgment:For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:6). We understand that the Christian life is lived through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
~Galatians 5:16~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!