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Category: A Deeper Word

Published: Sunday, 11 September 2011 14:47

Written by Mark Neddeau

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1Then the man brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, the one facing east, and it was shut. 2The Lord said to me, “This gate is to remain shut. It must not be opened; no one may enter through it. It is to remain shut because the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered through it. 3The prince himself is the only one who may sit inside the gateway to eat in the presence of the Lord. He is to enter by way of the portico of the gateway and go out the same way.”  EZEKIEL 44:1-3

Friends, this week we are examining that word GATE and its impact on this passage of scripture.  As you may know a gate is a structure that can be swung, drawn, or lowered to block an entrance or a passageway.  It operates as a threshold to one place or another, and funnels activities related to that place by focusing the way in or out through the gate.  In this instance I was struck not only by the location of this particular gate (attached to and leading into the Temple), but also the condition of it.  It was shut.  And not just shut; it was PERMANENTLY shut.  It got me to praying and realizing the spiritual significance of this fact.

The outer gate to the sanctuary in this case represents to me the human body.  The sanctuary is the house of a soul, the shelter of God; the resting place of the spirit.  Your body is the temple (the sanctuary) of the Lord.  The santuary is protected by the gate - the flesh - and through that flesh is the entrance of whatever will affect our souls and our spiritual condition.  In the case we examine today I submit to you that that gateway - the flesh - encompasses more than our bones and skin, it is our minds as well.  And today that gate is permanently shut as a means of access to God.

In the days of the Law the jews were required to come to temple every year at certain times and in certain conditions, and bring with them certain animals and materials to sacrifice for the sins committed during that year.  These animals represented a gateway to God through the people's obedience to the Law and their willingness to sacrifice to him.  But this obedience was temporal, being rooted in flesh, and could only bring a temporary respite from their judgment:

HEBREWS 10: 1-4  The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. (niv)

Therefore, God knew that the gate was imperfect and could not function for the eternal salvation and fellowship he, a Spirit, offered us.  He knew that it was only a matter of time before that gate (the entrance through physical sacrifice) had to close and a new gate opened.

HEBREWS 10:8-10 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). 9Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (niv)

The phrase "Once for all" is the key!  The gate of physical sacrifice - the entrance to the Sanctuary and the purpose of the Outer gate, was forever changed.  The physical sacrifices are over once and for all.  The Lord entered in by the Outward - his physical sacrifice upon Calvary - which nailed shut the gate forever. 

HEBREWS 10;11-14 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. (niv)

"This priest" of course refers to Jesus - the High Priest.  But he is also known by another name:  "THE PRINCE OF PEACE".   Hence, the scripture above in Ezekiel is right when it says "3The prince himself is the only one who may sit inside the gateway to eat in the presence of the Lord. He is to enter by way of the portico of the gateway and go out the same way.”   The gateway (the physical sacrifices and the flesh of man) are forever closed to us as a means to find heaven.  Only Jesus can abide in the flesh and move through it to prove our worthiness to enter heaven!  Only Jesus, by abiding in the outer gate and by entering through the gate, can eat in the presence of the Lord, which is symbolic of his role as the Bread of Life - his sustaining power and Omnipresence as God, eating in his own presence!

It used to be the obedience of the priests that brought a year of peace and favor from God and now that obedience (that gateway) has been shifted.  Romans 3:20 For on the ground of obedience to Law no man living will be declared righteous before Him. Law simply brings a sure knowledge of sin.  AND  Romans 3:28 For we maintain that it is as the result of faith that a man is held to be righteous, apart from actions done in obedience to Law.

Your body (the temple/sanctuary) is made holy through the obedience and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and YOUR obedience to and faith in him!  The sanctuary remains but the gate has shifted!  No longer does the outer gate play the role in salvation itself, but merely as the holder of him who worked salvation for you!  In other words, it is not of works, lest any man should boast!

 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing: obedience to God's commandments is everything.

As I said, the gate has been shifted!  The inner sanctuary - the spirit, the holiest of holies if you will, housed and accessed through FAITH is the key.  The obedience of faith - the belief and reception that God did this work will allow you to see that he (the prince) still sits in the gateway - resides in your body/mind - if you will let him!  But without him and acceptance of his sacrifice all you have is a locked gate!  He still eats - he still receives your sacrifices but your sacrifices are now changed!  They are not done through bulls and goats, but through obedience and self-imposed limitations to keep his SPIRITUAL LAWS!

Galatians 2:16 know that it is not through obedience to Law that a man can be declared free from guilt, but only through faith in Jesus Christ. We have therefore believed in Christ Jesus, for the purpose of being declared free from guilt, through faith in Christ and not through obedience to Law. For through obedience to Law no human being shall be declared free from guilt.   3:2 Answer me this one question, "Is it on the ground of your obedience to the Law that you received the Spirit, or is it because, when you heard, you believed?" 3:5 He who gives you His Spirit and works miracles among you--does He do so on the ground of your obedience to the Law, or is it the result of your having heard and believed:

 Without this shifting, the outer gate is still locked but useless.  The sanctuary has lost its meaning.  It becomes a 'broom closet' if you will, a storage for all the sins done in your life and all the filth of the world, unfit even for the prince to come and eat.  But since the gate to the sanctuary is closed forever, we must find the new and true way into his kingdom, the new gate and pathway that brings us to the interior of the sanctuary; his SPIRIT AND SACRIFICE for us! 

What is the new gate?  What is the new way? 

ACTS 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In love,

Elder Mark Neddeau

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