The Beautiful Mercy Gate

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Ezekiel 44 - 46

"This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it, for the LORD God of Israel has entered by it…” Ezekiel 44:2 NASB

The Old City of Jerusalem was surrounded by a wall with eight main gates into the city. Each gate had a name with some significance. There was Herod’s Gate, the Damascus Gate, the New Gate, Jaffa Gate, Zion Gate, the Dung Gate, the Lions’ Gate, and today we read about the magnificent Eastern Gate.

The Eastern Gate is a marvelous arched structure that faces the Mount of Olives there in Jerusalem. It is also called the Golden Gate, the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:2), and in Hebrew it is translated the “Mercy Gate”. But as we read today, the prophet Ezekiel tells us that the “gate shall be shut” (Ezek. 44:2). Indeed, today it is shut, but if a person could pass through its splendid arches they would find themselves facing the old temple mount, where sacrifices were made for the sins of the people and where God’s presence dwelt.

In Ezekiel 44:1-3, God told Ezekiel that when the Messiah returns, He will enter Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate. So you see, it will be this Gate, called the Golden Gate that will welcome the King of glory as He ushers in the Millennium – a “golden age” here on earth. How appropriate that the Gate Beautiful will receive the Messiah, as it was His feet that brought us Good News upon the mountains of Jerusalem (Isa. 52:7).

 Jesus first entered through this gate, the Mercy Gate, on a donkey as He rode through Jerusalem on His way to the cross. There mercy personified passed through the gate and was offered to all men (Matt. 21:1-11). Jesus is coming again and He will again pass through this gate.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye 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. Selah. Ps. 24:9–10

by Sharon Kaselonis / All rights reserved ©