The Open Gates of Our Lives

UV 3205/10000 The Open Gates of Our Lives
Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought
Isaiah 60 v 11
Just as the city of Jerusalem had eight gates and the Eternal City has twelve gates, our lives have many gates. Incidentally, the eighth gate, The Golden Gate of Mercy Gate is walled up or shut in Old Jerusalem city today. It is no longer needed as Jesus, the Gate of Mercy has opened access to the mercy seat of God at all times. Like the gates of the Eternal City are always open since it is always day there and there is no night or darkness, the gates of our lives are always open. Those who enter the gates of the Lord never want to leave while it is always open for more to come in. Open gates signify welcome to all. No one is excluded. The invitation is to all. The Lord is sending caravans of His blessings through these gates. For both health and wealth come from the Lord. The wealth of the nations flow towards the chosen ones of the Lord. The wealth may not be material or monetary or may not be merely monetary or material- it is the totality of the blessings the Lord reserves for us. The invisible hand that guides the heavenly market mechanism is the Lord’s. He opens the gateways of our minds and pours joy in place of sadness, wisdom in place of folly, strength in place of our weaknesses. The open gates also mean we are always open to wise counsel by cultivating and maintaining an open mind on the things we do not know for sure.
The twelve gates of heaven have a symbolic meaning. Each made from a single pearl. A pearl as we know is formed out of the pain and suffering of the oyster in response to an irritant, a thorn in its flesh. If it is to be such a gigantic pearl as to make a gate, it must be enormous suffering that leads to its formation. The gateways of the blessings and the things that are beautiful in the eye of the Lord in our lives are constituted out of our most painful experiences. Once these beautiful gates are formed, they remain open as the enemy cannot enter. The light of Jesus or the word of God repels the enemy, defends the faithful, overpowers the offenders, those who want to smuggle in untruth and false doctrines or illusory ideas. Traders and foreigners have access through the gates of any city. Likewise, there is always a fair and fruitful exchange between us who believe and those who do not believe. Since the Lord’s presence is with us at all times, it is apt to praise, thank, revere and worship Him every waking hour.
The open gates imply that we now have complete freedom, freedom from fear, freedom from fear of eternal death, freedom from fear of enemies, foes, persecutors. We have nothing to fear, nothing to hide. The previous verse speaks of walls being built. These walls symbolise the defence we have from all fear in Jesus. We have freedom even to leave but we choose to remain in Him. He blesses us night and day. Good and bad events may alternate in our lives like day and night but the love of Christ like a powerful radiant light sustains us through thick and thin. Since the tabernacle of the Lord is now located within us, we continually enter His presence every time we praise and thank Him for His awesome nature, His amazing grace, His abundant provision, His everlasting love and His endless patience.