Nehemiah 3:29 NKJV
After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs.
After the Horse gate we come to the east gate or the eastern gate as some call it. I have had the privilege of travelling to the nation of Israel on several occasions and there is something interesting that you notice about the eastern gate. First you will notice that it is right opposite the mount of Olives. Now the interesting thing about this gate is that it is permanently shut. In fact there is no gate but in its place a wall has been constructed.
Ezekiel 44:1-2 NKJV
Then He brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary which faces toward the east, but it was shut. And the Lord said to me, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut.
The bible tells us that when the Lord returns he will do so on the mount of olives and he will enter Jerusalem using the eastern gate.
Zech 14:4
The Eastern gate reminds us of the return of Jesus Christ. It is a reminder to us to live with such a hope and to walk in purity remembering that though we are in this world, we are not of this world.
II Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Reflective Thoughts
How often do you think about the coming back of our Lord Jesus Christ?
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When you think about the coming back of Jesus, what emotions do the thoughts invoke in your heart, fear or joy?
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If the thoughts invoke fear, why are you afraid yet his coming marks the beginning of life like we have never experienced it?
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