Hunting through the Scriptures we can find, quite a few names of GATES mentioned — Some Gates where we ought to be found and some Gates we shouldn’t be found at all. Read on to find out more:

1. Wide Gate — Walking in this gate will lead to destruction.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. Matthew‬ ‭7:13

A Christian is called to walk through the narrow gate, which leads to everlasting life. Nevertheless, even after being saved and walking through the narrow gate for sometime, we may find ourselves walking on the broad way, easy to travel, for e.g. when we find it difficult/unable to forgive others as Christ forgave us. Forgiving others from the heart does not come easy, but avoiding and not forgiving is easy.

A humble request - even if it may be hard to forgive that person, seek grace from God and forgive him/her, because ending in destruction isn’t worthwhile.

2. Gate of Sodom - In the olden days, judges and officers were appointed to sit at the city gates, and they judged people there (as in a courtroom). Deuteronomy 16:18. Lot, Abraham’s nephew was appointed as a judge in the city of Sodom.

It was evening when the two angels came to Sodom. Lot was sitting at Sodom’s [ city] gate. Seeing them, Lot got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. Genesis‬ ‭19:1‬

My point is, if we judge other’s lives instead of our own, then even we are at the Gate of Sodom. Jesus said - Judge not, that ye be not judged. Mathew 7:1. Let’s not judge others anymore but rather examine and look into our own lives.

3. Beautiful Gate - A man, lame/handicapped by birth was found lying there, unable to enter the temple.

and a man who had been unable to walk from birth was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, so that he could beg alms from those entering the temple. Acts‬ ‭3:2‬.

Lame from birth means an incomplete salvation experience, therefore unable to walk uprightly before God, nor come into His Presence. If then, when is a full salvation received? When you and me confess our sins to Jesus, repent and forsake those sins. Then we can receive complete assurance of being saved. Not walking by faith is also compared to “lame from birth”

4. Gates of death - When does a person arrive at the gates of death?

Fools, because of their rebellious way, And because of their sins, were afflicted. They detested all kinds of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. Psalms‬ ‭107:17-18‬

Being ignorant of God we were also at this gate, in a hopeless state, once upon a time. But! God’s eyes of mercy fell on us and He saved us from death and made us to walk in the newness of life. Now, if we transgress the commandment of God and walk in iniquity, once again we are back at this gate. Not being found in the First Love, First Zeal is iniquity.

5. Gates of Hell - Being carnally/fleshly minded is death. That is, minding things only of this earth.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew‬ ‭16:18‬

Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Simon Peter had a clear understanding about who Jesus was. Jesus in turn tells him that this understanding was revealed by the Father. May God help us!!

Be blessed 💕