The Gate Opener

What’s in a gate? The dictionary definition of a gate is a point of entry to a space enclosed by walls. Gates may prevent or control entry or exit.

Biblical Significance of a Gate
A gate is a control center of a city in Bible days. Important decisions are taken at the gates of cities. They sometimes function as courts of justice. Citizens can sell or buy land there. General proclamations are made at the gates; the council running the city meets there and conferences are held there too. Public condemnation of people is made there. When the enemy wants to attack a city, the area of concentration is the gate; that is why experienced officers are placed there. Idolatrous people perform their rites there.

John 10:1-3
"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.


Life is controlled by a gate.
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Heaven has gates.
Genesis 28:17 He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven“.
Revelation 21:25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.

Hell has gates
Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it”.


The enemy (Satan) has a gate
Genesis 22:16-17
“And said, I have sworn by Myself, says the Lord, that since you have done this and have not withheld [from Me] or begrudged [giving Me] your son, your only son, In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed will possess the gate of His enemies”.

Genesis 24:60
And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, "Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies”.

The gate of the enemy is its control center and whosoever controls the gate controls the city. The gate of the enemy is our possession.

Our God is a great controller. He can break or strengthen gates.

Psalm 107:15-16
“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,
for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron”.

Psalm 147:12-13
“Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion, for he strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you”.

Gate Opener
While gates are generally speaking, physical or spiritual barriers, thank God there is a gate opener.

Psalm 100:4
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!”

There is a gate that leads the presence of God and praise is the gate opener.

Psalm 24:7-10
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory”.

Psalm 118:19-21
“Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD, through which the righteous shall enter. I will praise you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation”.

Praise opens the gate into God’s presence. It can also bring Him to wherever you are as experienced by Paul and Silas. Your heart-felt praise will open the gates of brass and tear apart your bars of iron. You will take possession of the gates of your enemy. Make a commitment that His praises shall be in your mouth continually.