In this address, we explore how the gates throughout the Bible—from Nehemiah’s restoration to the gates of the New Jerusalem—speak of access, renewal, and the glory of God revealed through Christ, the true and living Gate.
Bible Scriptures: Darby Translation
Nehemiah 2:11-14 “11 And I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me—but I told no man what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem—and there was no beast with me, except the beast that I rode upon.13 And I went out by night by the valley-gate, even toward the jackal-fountain, and to the dung-gate; and I viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were in ruins, and its gates were consumed with fire.
14 And I went on to the fountain-gate, and to the king’s pool; and there was no place for the beast under me to pass.”
Nehemiah 3:15 “15 And the fountain-gate repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the chief of the district of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up its doors, its locks and its bars, and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the king’s garden, and to the stairs that go down from the city of David.”
Nehemiah 12:37 “37 And at the fountain-gate, and over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, even to the water-gate eastward.”
Ezekiel 47:1-5 “47 And he brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the front of the house was eastward. And the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house, south of the altar.2 And he brought me out by the way of the gate northward, and led me round outside unto the outer gate towards [the gate] that looketh eastward; and behold, waters ran out on the right side.3 When the man went forth eastward, a line was in his hand; and he measured a thousand cubits, and he caused me to pass through the waters: the waters were to the ankles.
4 And he measured a thousand [cubits], and caused me to pass through the waters: the waters were to the knees. And he measured a thousand and caused me to pass through: the waters were to the loins.5 And he measured a thousand: it was a river that I could not pass through, for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.”
Revelation 21:1 “21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea exists no more.”
Revelation 21:11-15 “11 having the glory of God. Her shining [was] like a most precious stone, as a crystal-like jasper stone;12 having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed, which are those of the twelve tribes of [the] sons of Israel.
13 On [the] east three gates; and on [the] north three gates; and on [the] south three gates; and on [the] west three gates.14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.15 And he that spoke with me had a golden reed [as] a measure, that he might measure the city, and its gates, and its wall.”
Revelation 21:21-25 “21 And the twelve gates, twelve pearls; each one of the gates, respectively, was of one pearl; and the street of the city pure gold, as transparent glass.
22 And I saw no temple in it; for the Lord God Almighty is its temple, and the Lamb.23 And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon, that they should shine for it; for the glory of God has enlightened it, and the lamp thereof [is] the Lamb.
24 And the nations shall walk by its light; and the kings of the earth bring their glory to it.25 And its gates shall not be shut at all by day, for night shall not be there.”
Psalms 24:7-10 “7 Lift up your heads, ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in.8 Who is this King of glory? Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, ye gates; yea, lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory 10 Who is he, this King of glory? Jehovah of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.”