Which Gate?
"Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Matthew 7:13-14
April 28
This fabulous stone gate is located in the gardens of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. It can't compare in splendor to the New Jerusalem 12 gates described by John in Revelation 21:21...
"The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass."
In the Bible gates were used for the protection of cities, as places for announcements and proclamations to be made and in some cases where marketing and trade take place.
The Matthew verse above references a gate choice we have to make. The small, narrow gate is the one we take if we want to enter into a relationship with Christ. Look at how The Message translation explains the choice we have before us.
"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life-to God!-is vigorous and requires total attention."
Here's an exciting aside to gate thoughts. In New Jerusalem the gates will always be open, because there will be no evil to creep through and harm us there.
If you know people who have not opened the gates of their hearts to Jesus, encourage them to open up today!
In the Bible gates were used for the protection of cities, as places for announcements and proclamations to be made and in some cases where marketing and trade take place.
The Matthew verse above references a gate choice we have to make. The small, narrow gate is the one we take if we want to enter into a relationship with Christ. Look at how The Message translation explains the choice we have before us.
"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life-to God!-is vigorous and requires total attention."
Here's an exciting aside to gate thoughts. In New Jerusalem the gates will always be open, because there will be no evil to creep through and harm us there.
If you know people who have not opened the gates of their hearts to Jesus, encourage them to open up today!
