[:en]SCRIPTURE: NEHEMIAH 3
“Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicate, and as far as the Tower of Hananel” (Nehemiah 3:1)
BUILDERS OF THE WALL (vs. 1-32)
The work was organized and directed with the spiritual leaders taking the lead. They were involved in building, repairing, fortifying the walls and the gates for the protection of the city. Each person was assigned with his specified area of responsibility and was recorded in the book. There were variety of workers – priest (v. 1) rulers (vs. 12-19), women (v. 12), craftsmen (vs. 8, 32) and Jews from other cities (vs. 2, 5, 7).
THERE ARE 10 GATES WITH ITS SPIRITUAL MEANING:
- Sheep Gate – represents the sacrifice of Christ on the cross as a Lamb
- Fish Gate – represents being fishers of men to win souls to Christ
- Old Gate – represents the old path and the old truth of the narrow way
- Valley Gate – represents being lowly and humble before the Lord
- Dong Gate – is a place of waste and refuse which represent our sins that needs cleansing
- Fountain Gate – represents the Holy Spirit to fill and dwell in our hearts
- Water Gate – represents the Word of God that people need for food of our souls
- Horse Gate – represents the warfare which a Christian soldier needs to fight against Satan
- East Gate – represents the second coming of Christ which will come from the East
- Inspection Gate – represents the appointed time for God’s judgment.
SUMMARY:
There is a place of ministry for everyone to work in the house of the Lord. Everyone must cooperate and take responsibility do his specific task. The spiritual leaders should be the one to take the lead.
The gates shows a full picture of the Christian life.
- Sheep Gate – One has to believe in Christ as his personal Savior in order to be saved.
- Fish Gate – Once a person becomes a believer, he must be fishers of men by preaching the gospel to the unsaved.
- Old Gate – He has to travel on the old path of the narrow way that leads to eternity.
- Valley Gate – He must humble himself before the Lord.
- Dong Gate – He must confess his sins and get rid of all evil ways
- Fountain Gate – He must let the Holy Spirit fill his heart and guide his life.
- Water Gate – He needs to read God’s Word to nourish his soul
- Horse Gate – He must wear the armor of God as a Christian soldier to fight against the schemes of Satan
- East Gate – He must prepare himself anytime for the 2nd coming of Christ
- Inspection Gate – He must be ready to face the judgment of God for the things he did in this world.
[:]