why are there 12 gates in heavenwhy are there 12 gates in heaven

For instance, the prophet Ezekiel was called upon by God to deliver a message to the elders of Israel, saying, Thus says the Lord God, These are the gates of the house; they shall enter by them, and the Prince shall enter by them as well.'. Who are those outside the gates in Revelation 22:15? There will be saved people on the New Earth who are outside the city gates and will be entering the city gates and that is why they are opened. It is holy. This is confirmed by Romans 8:3-4, God, sending His own Son in the likeness of the flesh of sin and concerning sin, condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit. Today we have trouble with the flesh but it will be gone by the time of Revelation 21. So in that sense, I suppose its reasonable that people would think of Johns description of the New Jerusalem as a description of heaven, the place Christians go when they die. I realize that is not scriptural and sounds too far out, but this is the future and Gods universe were talking about. (12, 13) And had a wall great and high . God will be our source of joy. Note from Randy Alcorn: If youre new to our website, please ignore this. Mary is "the . There are angels that make up the heavenly host in heaven. The Bible does not tell us that . we'll be flawless, but not knowing everything isn't a flaw. (Try gluing a small cafeteria-sized carton of milk to a large bowling ball and spin the bowling ball to see what I mean.) I just finished watching Gaffigan do a comic routine on being Catholic. Yes, Heaven really has pearly gates-12 of them, in fact. Why are there 12 gates to the New Jerusalem? The author of the book of Revelation probably envisioned the New Jerusalem as a cube because that was the shape of the holy of holies of Solomons templeand he assumed this super massive cube did not have to travel light-years to get here, but would descend from Gods heaven directly above the earth and rest securely, as cubes do, on a flat surface, that of the flat earth. Article Images Copyright . The city is like pure gold. In the Bible, specifically in the Book of Revelation, John describes a vision of a heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven. So Revelation 22 and Revelation 21 are speaking of the gates in two different ways. The last book of the Bible mentions a city that descends from heaven, the New Jerusalem: And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth. Angels were ascending and descending on it, and the Lord stood above it. Have you ever bought an economy ticket for a flight, but because of overbooking, been upgraded to first class? The Biblical Roots of the Twelve Gates of Heaven, The Symbolism of the Twelve Gates of Heaven, The Twelve Gates in Other Cultures and Religions. 2. Its speaking of the saved, those who are in the New Jerusalem (and/or have access to the New Jerusalem) where the throne of Christ is. 10:8). Each gate has the name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel etched into it: Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Judah, Levi, Nephtali, Reubon, Simeon and Zebulun. (ESV) -Revelation 22:1-5 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb The gates also have the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Are the popular depictions of Peter standing at the pearly gates biblically accurate? To us, thatsounds like a ritzy place to be. Heaven is the reward for living a life that is pleasing to God according to the Bible. or cryingor pain" (Revelation 21:4). Listen to BeBe and CeCe Winans Heaven. Deitrick Haddon sings about heaven in Well Done.. God is the primary worker, and as His image-bearers, we're made to work. Answer. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! So if this scripture is not some metaphorical meaning or analogy to something else, then I think the only possibility is that some people inside the New Jerusalem perhaps decide to live outside and form nations and God for some reason allows this. Maybe the gates are to keep out the next batch of revolutionaries after theyve been kicked out some time in the infinite future. 1 Thessalonians 4:17:18. By Lesli White Shutterstock.com We are all familiar with the pearly. It means being invited in by God and having access to His grace, mercy, and blessings. God Is So Good! To be like God means to have and express emotions. You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. This New Jerusalem doesnt just appear: its brought to earth from the abode of God. 22 Bible Verses for a Struggling Marriage, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. So I did an internet search on the subject and found this blog. Behind every support specialist, Bible study editor, graphic designer, and accountant is a Sunday School teacher, kids volunteer, or small group leader. I have been studying and reading for hours! We enter God's "City" through these Gates; Matthew 5:14; Hebrews 11:10; 12:22 These Gates reflect the restoration of Kingdom Principles in the lives of God's people Heres a list of things Johntells us about the New Jerusalem: The city of Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. by Titus of Rome, and the book of Revelation was written after this took place. . Jesus said, Freely you have received, freely give (Matt. there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any 14 The wall of the city had . If one happens to live in the New Jerusalem on a floor a few miles above sea level, I would not suggest opening your windows without first donning an oxygen mask, or better yet, a space suit. But Heaven is everywhere Thou art, and Thou art Heaven to me. The newness not only refers to the fact that the old Jerusalem was destroyed, but that the entire order of the world is being remade in Johns vision. This site uses cookies to analyze traffic and ensure you get the best experience. Re Apocalypse). Some of thismay come from some of Paulscomments on what he thinks will happen to him when he dies. No one knows where heaven is. The expression the gate of heaven is used metaphorically to describe the spiritual realm and the doorway through which we must pass to enter heaven and to be in the presence of God. Therefore, we must repent of our sins, seek forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ, and purify our hearts. All of this should motivate us to share the gospel of Christ with family, friends, neighborsand the whole world. Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the is in this place, and I did not know it.". Moreover, because God the Father and the Lamb dwell in the city, the sun and moon are pretty much pointlesstheres no night in this city. It is time to witness to those who you know are lost. Since Jewish people do not accept Jesus as their Messiah, according to Gods word they will not be in heaven. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Yet Scripture clearly teaches it. They were a place of authority and judgment, the site of significant spiritual battles, and a place of worship for the people. I am a believer in Jesus Christ as my savior. Where the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost reside is the heaven where we attain to go (Ephesians 5:14). Re: #4, thanks for calling this out: I added some clarity to this and point #8. There will be three gates on each side of the squared shaped New Jerusalem with an angel standing watch at each. People will laugh there (Luke 6:21). Work was part of the original Eden. We know that when we get to heaven there will not be any problems for us to deal with. Where in the Bible does it say gates of heaven? The New Jerusalem John sees is a city-temple: the entire city is a great big Holy of Holies, a callback to the tabernacle Moses built at Sinai. Another source for free Christina books: click here. In those days, humanswould build places where gods could dwell amonghumans. And I thank our Lord for His revelations concerning New Jerusalem. Why? Can a married couple retire on 2 million dollars. But the New Jerusalem isnt just a happy place for the deceased tokick back in for all eternity: its actually the culmination of a theme that runs through the whole of Scripture, from the very beginning to the very end: the construction of the city of God. So, everyone who believes into Him, including you, has Him as their entrance. By passing through the gate, the faithful are able to experience God in a new way. He understood that he was at the threshold of Gods kingdom. A GATE gives access to the City; it is a seat of power, authority and influence; 1 Chronicles 9:22-23. I feel blessed to have been shown your works. Amplified Bible It had a massive and high wall, with twelve [large] gates, and at the gates [were stationed] twelve angels; and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were written. I know, I knowbut I so struggle with the thought of people being tormented in the Lake of Fire forever. This city is different from any city John has ever seen. The main focus of the bible is Jesus Christ, his sacrifice, to reconnect us with God. Andas far as the New Testamentnarratives tell us, Jesus is currently at the right hand of the Father in heaven. In Revelation 22, those who are outside the city mean those who are outside the city in Hell. We just must take their word for it. In verse 17, Jacob says, How awesome is this place! The 12 gates were meant to let people, animals, water, and other supplies, in and out of the city, but also to keep some people out. Featuring Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Kristi McLelland, and more! We'll also have work to do, satisfying and enriching work that we can't wait to get back to, work that'll never be drudgery. opportunity The concept, also found in the ancient Mesopotamian religions, can be found in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; a similar concept is also found in some other religions such as Hinduism. It involves coming to God with humility, gratitude, and praise. Revelation 21:12 tells us that the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are inscribed at the gates, but the Bible does not tell us the names of the angels. Sin doesn't make life interesting; it makes life empty. I stole it from comedian Jim Gaffigan. What Should We Know about the Sheep and Goats in Matthew 25? The curse of sin will be rolled away (Rev 22:3, Gen 3:1719). Revelation describes heaven as a huge, richly appointed city with twelve gates. In Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus tells a parable about a merchant who finds a valuable pearl and sells everything he has in order to buy it. Good god! A true and informative resource. Was Paul of Tarsus really an Apostle or a Deranged Imposter? This page last updated: February 21, 2023. Heres where we start to really see whats special about this city. Some are sapphires. But he also notes that the kings of the nations bring their splendor intothe New Jerusalem (Rev 21:24). Point 12 is fascinating- there are other nations outside the city? And why does heaven have twelve gates instead of just one? The above scripture, speaking of Zion, mentions that at each of the 12 gates there are angels positioned. The Lord spoke to Jacob, promising him blessings and that his descendants would be numerous. A gate is the entrance you pass through to get from one place to another. We are here to serve everyone without cost, so please do not feel pressured to give! North - . And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven., Heaven is a spectacular place. The symbolism of the twelve gates is not unique to Christianity, but is present in many different cultures and religions. Gods dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. It is best to pray every day and even ask God for forgiveness when you wake up and when you go to bed so that you are covered. CSB Experiencing God Bible, Hardcover, Jacketed. We do know that there will be a new heaven and a new earth. The gates of a city were historically places of fellowship and gathering and I would guess they will be that way in Heaven too. What I do know is that in Revelation chapters 21 and 22, John sees some really cool stuff. for each heart or conscience to seek and respond to Him (Romans 1:18-2:16). Genesis 28:16-17 ESV / 35 helpful votesHelpfulNot Helpful. . - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEa0e8AcS78--------------------------------------------------------------------Follow Us: Hit the Subscribe button under this episode's title to be notified every time we upload new videos to our YouTube channel! There are many songs that have been written about heaven. This is where maybe we get heaven right: if this city is being prepared, and if it indeed comes to earth from heaven, then its possible that the New Jerusalem is under construction in heaven now. Heaven is a real place described in the Bible. Will we become angels? To ensure you receive the best experience on Lifeway.com, we use cookies to process information about your visit. Why would the New Jerusalem get called heaven? And we'll spend eternity gaining the greater knowledge we'll seek. The Jews preserved the Old Testament Scriptures. Everything of New Jerusalem will be according to the spirit., https://newjerusalem12.wordpress.com/2019/04/24/the-city-has-12-gates-12-angels-12-names/, And so we will be with the Lord forever, therefore encourage one another with these words. in-depth A new Jerusalem descends from heaven and it is a magnificent sight. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. New Jerusalem has 12 gates that lead into the city (Rev. In the Old Testament, the gates were not just a physical barrier. In fact, John seems tothink this city is prepared specifically for someone elsebut the followers of Jesus do getto partake in it. Some are emeralds. In his day, all cities of any significance had gates and walls. I too am not an Israelite but I will meet you in New Jerusalem. Jacob was overwhelmed by the experience, and he called the place where he slept Bethel, meaning the house of God.. 1991 - 2023 Eternal Perspective MinistriesAll Rights Reserved. Other than the fact that God obviously wanted gates, Im not sure our speculation can be anything more than that. Sin separates us from God, and we cannot enter His presence with unconfessed sin. Entering Gods gates is a privilege and an honor that we can enjoy through faith in Jesus Christ. All rights reserved. This city is said to have twelve gates, each one made of a single pearl, and guarded by an angel. Jesus went to the cross to offer salvation to all (1 John 2:2). Jesus said Verily I say unto thee. But in Johns vision, the New Jerusalem is described as the bride of the Lamb. Navigating the challenges and joys of ministry life. Why would an all-powerful, all-knowing creator god need gates (and walls)? For this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. By: Jac Filer Time to read: 6 min. Thy dream, and the visions of they head upon they bed, are these., We should aspire to be in heaven where God is. Randy Alcorn answers the question,"If Jesus will reign in New Jerusalem will anyone want to live anywhere else? Turns out thatwhen people describeheaven in Christian culture today, theyre usually referring to the New Jerusalem that John sees at the end of Revelation. For our regulars, giving to EPM is significantly down this year, over 39% compared to previous years, which means more has been going out of our account than coming in. This highlights the importance of the concept of the afterlife and the journey of the soul in human experience. Dr. Smith has freelanced for the Tri-State Defendernewspaper and Contempora magazine. From anatello; a rising of light, i.e. we probably won't fail to recognize an acquaintance in a crowd or forget people's names. A setting (of the sun), hence: the West. The number symbolizes completeness in Revelation. This makes sense: the city of God isprepared as the capital of King Jesuss kingdomnot just a big, big yard where we can play football.. The concept of twelve gates to enter into a heavenly realm is not unique to Christianity. Bible verses about Gates Of Heaven. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. For more information on the subject of Heaven, see Randy Alcorns book Heaven. We see the sky as a heaven. If heaven is a place without sin and evil, why does it even need gates and walls? The image of the gates in popular culture is a set of large . But whats so different about it? Angels are often mentioned in the Bible as messengers of God, and are seen as protectors of the faithful. The idea of working in heaven is foreign to many people. Is it in a rough neighborhood?. They are not the survivors of the tribulation because this is long after the tribulation and also after Christs thousand year reign and the last Judgement as well. It just means they have no access to it. In Revelation 21:12 we read that New Jerusalem " had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel ." Through the gates, representing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we enter into New Jerusalem. I thought we were talking about heaven.. We also know that those who are a part of the Abrahamic covenant will be in heaven. The gates are named after the 12 tribes of Jacob, which means man (the VAV) is the gate. The Meaning Behind the Name 12 Gates Brewing Company. Smith is also a playwrightand poet. Why Does Heaven Have Twelve Gates? In this article, we will explore the origins and symbolism of the twelve gates of heaven. Did you regret the upgrade? And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. Question: My question is why are there gates in Heaven? Not Heaven. Yet Scripture clearly teaches it. Well, the 12 gates John saw have the names of the 12 tribes, but later he sees that the kings of the earth and the glory and honor of the nations are brought into the city through its gates (Revelation 21:2426). They are not physical gates that we can see and touch; rather, they are symbolic of the spiritual state that we must attain to be in the presence of God. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This means that, for John, anyJerusalemremotely as glorious as the city he saw would have to be a new Jerusalem. 21 it speaks of how the gates will not be shut because people will enter. She is the author of the self-published novel GLORYTHE HAIR. Am not an Israelite and i dont belong to any of the twelve tribes, so as we go to the new Jerusalem, which gate me as an African Christian am I going to use? Each gate represents a different aspect of Gods character or attributes, such as mercy, grace, and love. They represent completeness, perfection, and wholeness, as well as the different aspects of Gods character. In ancient Egyptian mythology, for example, the god Osiris is said to have twelve gates guarded by twelve gods and goddesses. Aramaic Bible in Plain English From the East, three gates, from the North, three gates, and from the South, three gates, and from the West, three gates. But to the ancients, this was a big deal. Was Paul of Tarsus the true founder of Christianity? When it comes to the idea of heaven, there are many different interpretations and beliefs about what it is, what it looks like, and how one can get there. In fact, if we wouldn't know our loved ones, the comfort of an afterlife reunion, taught in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, would be no comfort at all. mourning, Answer The idea of there being "pearly gates" in heaven is based on a reference in the book of Revelation describing the twelve gates of New Jerusalem. Note the assumption: sin is exciting and righteousness is boring. Overall, the twelve gates of heaven represent a beautiful and meaningful symbol of hope and the promise of eternal life with God. In Revelation 21:12 we read that New Jerusalem had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.. Revelation 21:21a tells us, "The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.". The phrase gates of heaven is mentioned in the book of Genesis in chapter 28, where Jacob has a vision and calls the place where he lay the gate of heaven. This expression has since been used in various religious contexts as a metaphor for the connection between God and mankind and the entrance to heaven. 21:12), they will never bet shut (Rev. The city will never be under attack as all enemies . Edit them in the Widget section of the, Experts Now Say Mark May Be Our Only Source For The Historical Jesus, Bible Scholar Says Fantastical Tales in the Gospels Indicate Non-Historicity. True, the Jewish religious and political leaders rejected Jesus as Messiahlike the wicked kings and priests of Jerusalem and Samaria rejected the Law in the Old Testament. Revelation 22:1-5 ESV / 44 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. Once I was asked if we will ever be tempted to turn our backs on Christ. I woke up this morning and had the thought that the 12 gates with the names of the 12 tribes symbolized the firstborn among brethren those that the Lord blinded so that the fullness of the Gentiles could come in then they, too, will have their eyes opened again. This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.". Angels are ministering spirits, sent forthfor service for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation (Heb. the western region. It is saved people who have come into the gates of the New Jerusalem and will depart from and go through the gates to the New Earth. It was part of a perfect human life. The idea of working in heaven is foreign to many people. Some people have written books about their revelation of heaven. They are there to protect, assist, and guide the faithful on their journey. God bless you! These are the tears of suffering over sin and death, the tears of oppressed people, the cries of the poor, the widow, the orphaned, the unbornand the persecuted. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. The 12foundations of precious stones and the 12 tribes inscribed on the gates would conjure up images of the Jewish high priests garments, particularly the breastplatethatfeatured a precious stone for each of the 12 tribes (Exodus 28:1521). The north wind, hence: the North. The twelve gates of heaven are a powerful and symbolic representation of the access points for the faithful to enter into the kingdom of God. This is where the ark of the covenant rested, and where the high priest of Israel would atone for the sins of Israel once per year. First of all,look at all these twelves. This story is more evidence that the stories in the Bible come not from an all-knowing god, but from the irrational minds of superstitious human beings. This surprised me when I first read it, because Id always assumed that everyone just stayed insidethe city. The apostle Paul was "caught up to the third heaven," but he was prohibited from revealing what he experienced there ( 2 Corinthians 12:1-9 ). Great article! Revelation 22 has a more symbolic meaning. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. SeriousFaith.com donations are managed by my, Book of John Message 44 John 9:35-41 (1). And sware by Him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer (Revelation 10:5-6). God told Abraham, And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of the heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (Genesis 26:4). 10 Promises God Has for the Overwhelmed and Anxious Soul, Stay at Home Mom, You Are Enough Just as You Are, 5 Verses You Thought Were in the Bible but Aren't, A Prayer for the Filling of the Holy Spirit - Your Daily Prayer - July 23, 10 Worship Songs I'd Be Fine with Never Singing Again (And Why), A Prayer for Our Kids to Follow Christ - Your Daily Prayer - July 22, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, 5 Signs You're in Spiritual Warfare and How to Fight It, 5 Themes in Barbie That Will Surprise You, 3 Guided Prayers to Renew Your Mind Today, 5 Ways to Communicate Love to Your Children, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. This may seem a silly thing but it has puzzled me for some time now. Our entry into New Jerusalem satisfies the requirements of the law in the eyes of the angels at the gates. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In the Biblical context, the twelve gates of heaven symbolize the access points for humanity to enter into the presence of God. This city is the ultimate version ofthe Jewish temple. When God created Adam, he "took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15). 12 gates for the 12 tribes. and The city is secure from the evil ones. Jesus himself was Jewish, John the Baptist was Jewish, the Twelve apostles were Jewish, for several years almost all Christians were Jewish. Thank you and blessings to you. This city emerges from heaven prepared. The old heaven and earth pass away, and God ushers in a new era of peace and communion with God and humansmuch like we aw way back in the Garden of Eden. But the Jewish people as a whole are not cut off from Gods grace. God saw that the people were one (Genesis 11:6) and that they were very determined. Again..this is New Jerusalem. Rev 21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. Work was part of the original Eden. Used with permission. Additionally, in folklore and mythology, it is commonly believed . 1 Kings 8:30 says And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive. We know from this Scripture that heaven is where God lives. In Hinduism, there is a concept of the twelve Adityas, or sun gods. But it didnt take long for me to catch this phrase at the beginning of Revelation 21: a new heaven and a new earth. And then John the Revelatordescribes a city called theNew Jerusalem., Kid Jeffrey: Wait. In addition to being the center of power, the gate was also a place of significant spiritual meaning. In The city of New Jerusalem will be very real, with great walls made of precious stone. Because we will experience all God intends for us. Besides, John sees the city coming down out of heaven, so youcouldargue thatthe New Jerusalem is where people go when they die now.