Day 8 The Horse Gate

Nehemiah 3:28

God

 

 

"28 From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house." Nehemiah 3:28 

　
　
The next gate was known as the Horse Gate. The Horse Gate was on the east side of the city, facing the Kidron Valley and brook. It was the gate which horses came and left the palace of David, where the king's warriors were barracked and lay north of the temple. Its location near the temple and the Water Gate, it logically and strategically was used to water the horses. According to Levitical and Rabbinical laws, in order to go to the temple, a man could go on horseback to the Horse Gate, but he would have to get off his horse there.

How does the Horse Gate apply to us today Christian?

Horses were not easily possessed in Jerusalem, in the Bible are a symbol of war:

 

　

: " 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. (Revelation 19:11-16)

Christian, the Horse Gate speaks to us of warfare. Whether we know it or not, we are all at war for the souls of men and the Kingdom of Heaven, warfare is part of the Kingdom. Let us look at the following texts:

"8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." Ecclesiastes 3:8

"10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" Ephesians 6:10-18

"3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." 2nd Corinthians 10:3-6

Beloved since the fall of humanity, we live, move, and have our being in God in this temporal world amidst a battle field! Just as Marines are always prepared for a moment's notice, we soldiers of the Lord's Army on Earth must needs be prepared! But the good news [Gospel] is, when we put on our spiritual armor and wield His spiritual weaponry and learn to take every thought captive, apply the truth of His Word [Jesus] to every argument brought to our attention, we are more than conquerors through the Lord our Good Shepherd. "13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. (1 Cor. 10:13-15)

Another aspect of the Horse Gate, is that the next gates... as we approach them are prophetic, they prophesy the imminent return of the Good Shepherd! "11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Rev 19:11-20 KJV)

The Horse Gate is the foreshadowing of the Day of the Lord and the End Time judgment. How do we prepare? "8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation." (1 Thess 5:2-8 KJV) Pay attention Beloved because the Horse Gate tells us we are in daily in spiritual battle against the enemy, and it also reminds us of the imminent return of Jesus Christ! We need to be prepare for battle and look unto the next gate, the East Gate. We come thus far through the gates of Jerusalem:

1.) The Sheep Gate- The Good Shepherd, the first gate that brings us salvation and life.

2.) The Fish Gate- Fishers of men, the Galilean Gate, from whence Jesus came and found, and discipled, those who came through the Sheep Gate for life and service.

3.) The Old Gate- The Gate that leads us onto the the original [old paths] God had ordained for His people to walk in for their Holiness, being sanctified and a witness for the Good Shepherd.

4.) The Valley Gate- Where we all face the valley's of life, that keep us humble and cause total dependence on the Good Shepherd, in His shadow of death, so we can have no fear.

5.) The Dung Gate- Where the dung, sin, and filth is removed from our life as we come into the image of Christ.

6.) The Fountain Gate- Our gate to the Well of Refreshing by the Living Water for our souls that helps us in a refreshing after we have been ridding self of self and filth also called dung.

7.) The Water Gate- The Word of God, perfect and unchanging, also no in need of repair, thank God for Jesus the Logos- The Word who came to dwell with us!

8.) The Horse Gate- The warfare preparation of the Believer for spiritual war, and the coming of Jesus via the East Gate,

Please share with the Saints for their growth, edification and victory!!!!!! Love in Christ Jason