II Literal GatesII Literal Gates

1. Most gates used double doors 1. Most gates used double doors

Usually made of wood (Neh.2:3)

The gate was weakest part of a city’s defense; often plated w. metal (Is.45:2)

Ac.3:2

2. The gate was especially subject to attack, Ezk.21:112. The gate was especially subject to attack, Ezk.21:11

To “possess the gate” was to possess the city (Gn.22:17)

It was protected by a tower (Neh.3:26)

An inner gate added extra security (2 Sm.18:24)

3. Doors were secured w. a bar3. Doors were secured w. a bar

Usually of wood (Nah.3:13)

Sometimes metal

Bronze, 1 K.4:13

Iron, Ps.107:16

4. Gates were closed at night4. Gates were closed at night (Josh.2:5, 7)

Jg.16:3

5. Markets were held at various gates5. Markets were held at various gates

Sheep gate, Neh.3:1 sheep

Fish gate, Neh.3:3

Horse gate, Neh.3:28

6. Gates were civic centers of 6. Gates were civic centers of the citythe city (Gn.19:1; Ru.4:1)

7. Elders sat in gates to administer justice7. Elders sat in gates to administer justice

Gn.23:10, 18, first legal transaction Pro.31:23

8. Kings sat at gates to make 8. Kings sat at gates to make legal decisionslegal decisions8. Kings sat at gates to make 8. Kings sat at gates to make legal decisionslegal decisions

2 Sm.15:1-2

When Jerusalem fell… (Jer.39:3)

“Oppression in the gates” is a synonym for judicial

corruption (Pro.22:22; Am.5:15)

9. Priests and prophets delivered 9. Priests and prophets delivered discourses at the gatediscourses at the gate9. Priests and prophets delivered 9. Priests and prophets delivered discourses at the gatediscourses at the gate

Pro.1:21; Je.17:19-20

10. Condemned criminals were 10. Condemned criminals were executed outside city gatesexecuted outside city gates Jn.19:17. . . 20; Ac.7:58

IIII Spiritual GatesIIII Spiritual Gates

1. Gate of eternal destiny1. Gate of eternal destiny, Mt.7:13f

Gn.28:17 (31:41-42)

Jesus contrasted wide and narrow

Broad main gate accommodated many people and possessions

Narrow ones . . . only a person

2. Gate of victory,2. Gate of victory, Mt.16:182. Gate of victory,2. Gate of victory, Mt.16:18

Ps.9:13; Is.38:10

Gates of Hades prevailed over all other human activities

Death will not prevail . . .

Mt.16:21-22; Ac.2:24, 31

Mt.16:24-27

3. Gate of temptation, 3. Gate of temptation, Mt.26:71Mt.26:713. Gate of temptation, 3. Gate of temptation, Mt.26:71Mt.26:71

It is hypocritical to follow Jesus while warming our hands at the

enemy’s fire

Mt.6:13; 26:41

A child of God on the downward road usually falls fast and far

4. Gate of opportunity4. Gate of opportunity4. Gate of opportunity4. Gate of opportunity

Benevolence, Lk.16:20

Who lies at your gate?

Sick? (Mt.25)

Needy? Ja.2:14-17

Evangelism, Ac.10:…17

Ac.16:13

5. Gate of sacrifice, Hb.13:10-145. Gate of sacrifice, Hb.13:10-145. Gate of sacrifice, Hb.13:10-145. Gate of sacrifice, Hb.13:10-14

Christians, not Jews

Altar = metonymy for sacrifice

Irony: they serve tent

Partake of altar = to receive bene-fits of the sacrifice

Jesus suffered, Hb.10:12-13Jesus suffered, Hb.10:12-13Jesus suffered, Hb.10:12-13Jesus suffered, Hb.10:12-13

Purpose: that He might sanctify… 9:13-14 (= Tit.2:14)

Price: w. His own blood

Place: outside the gate

Lv.16:27

Jn.19:20

Treated as a sin bearer

Hb.13:13Hb.13:13

Outside the camp (religious community of Israel)

Once a place of reproach Jews cast Him out (Hb.12:2)

Bearing His reproach Hb.11:26 1 Pt.4:14

Share insults intended for Him

Views of JesusViews of Jesus

Jews: accursed (Ga.3:13)

“Followers of the hung”

Tacitus, Pliny, Suetonius described their faith as execrable, deadly, malefic superstition

Lucian: “the impaled sophist”

6. Gates of jewels, Is.54:12; 6. Gates of jewels, Is.54:12; Rv.21:Rv.21:6. Gates of jewels, Is.54:12; 6. Gates of jewels, Is.54:12; Rv.21:Rv.21:

City, 2 – New Jerusalem (4, 6)

Outside, 7-8 (true death)

Warning, 27

Invitation, 22:14, 17