2 Samuel 1:1-2:11 / John 12:20-50 / Psalm 118:19-29 / Proverbs 15:27-28
Gates are fascinating as there are many different kinds – garden gates, fence gates, cemetery gates, security gates, folding gates, gates of the mind and many more. Have you very thought about the fact that there are also gates in Heaven? You’ve probably heard of the Pearly Gates and St. Peter.
Once again, as I read, I formed a picture in my mind of the scene being described. I’m talking about Psalm 118:19-21
Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the LORD. These gates lead to the presence of the LORD, and the godly enter there. I thank You for answering my prayer and giving me victory!
Maybe these are the initial gates upon entering Heaven. As a matter of fact, I might believe that to be true based on the clues. These are gates that the righteous enter. That tells me those who are not righteous – or not right with God – cannot come through these gates. I wonder what they look like?
I love that the first thing the Psalmist wants to do upon entering the gates is thank the LORD. Why might one do that? Because without the Lord of Heaven, we would not be allowed entrance. In John 12:27 Jesus is aware that the time for Him to suffer on the cross is close and He is deeply troubled. He knows what must happen and why, but I know He dreaded the process.
Jesus even asks, “Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to Your name.”
Jesus knows that without His death on the cross, followed by His defeat of the devil and His resurrection, we cannot enter those gates that lead to the presence of the LORD. And that is the very place I love to go! No, I don’t have to wait until I get to Heaven to enter the gates of His presence. There are many verses in Psalms that talk about entering His gates and that is something we can experience now, while we live on earth.
Now I enter by His Spirit; one day I will enter in my glorified body. And once again, I’m wondering what the gates look like. What does the path to His presence look like? And once I get there – to His presence – I promise you I’ll be thanking Him. What a beautiful experience that will be!
Are you ready to make that trip through the gates, down the path and into His presence? I am!
