Day 261 of 365
THE GATES OF THE CITY
From the very beginning, God's plan has been to have a pure and permanent relationship with his people. Ezekiel's final vision is one of the city in which this will happen, and the name of the city is literally "THE LORD IS THERE." The prophet saw 12 gates surrounding the city, representing the 12 tribes of Israel. The apostle John later saw similar gates in his vision of the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:12 - 14). Both visions foreshadow the physical presence of the Lord in the future, perfect city where God and his people will live in eternal harmony.
Revelation 21:3 summarizes this theme wonderfully, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.' " God has always desired a permanent relationship with his people, and God will have it. Jesus Christ made that relationship with God possible by dying on the cross to remove the sin barrier that separated people from God (Eph 2:13 - 14). Jesus then secured the presence of God for his people by rising from the dead to bring his people to God (1Pe 3:18).
Jesus, I can't wait to live in the perfect city, in perfect harmony with my brothers and sisters, in your perfect presence. I thank you for the promise of this reality. Amen.
Ezekiel 48:30-35 NASB
30 "These are the exits of the city: on the north side, 4,500 cubits by measurement, 31 shall be the gates of the city, named for the tribes of Israel, three gates toward the north: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one. 32 On the east side, 4,500 cubits, shall be three gates: the gate of Joseph, one; the gate of Benjamin, one; the gate of Dan, one. 33 On the south side, 4,500 cubits by measurement, shall be three gates: the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; the gate of Zebulun, one. 34 On the west side, 4,500 cubits, shall be three gates: the gate of Gad, one; the gate of Asher, one; the gate of Naphtali, one. 35 The city shall be 18,000 cubits round about; and the name of the city from that day shall be, 'The L ord is there.'"
Revelation 21:3 NASB
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them ,
Revelation 21:12-14 NASB
12 It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
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