One of the most interesting passages of Scripture is Psalm 24. Written by King David, this Psalm poses an interesting question, then answers the question with a remarkable answer. This song was sung from the days of David, and is even sung today. Originally it was sung and recited by the watchers of the gate –but only one gate in particular: The “Golden” or Eastern Gate of the OldCity. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding on a colt to the shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD!” He probably entered through the Eastern Gate, which faces the Mount of Olives. This gate is important because Scripture tells us that only the LORD is allowed to go through this gate, with one exception: His Prince [Ezekiel 44:1-4]. From the time of David to the present, the Jews understand that only Messiah can go through this gate (Psalm. 24:7-10; Isaiah 63:1-6; Ezekiel 44:1-3). The doors of the gate remained shut and locked for many centuries, anticipating the Messiah to come.
Even Jerusalem’s conquerors have never walked through the Eastern Gate. Interestingly, the gate (now buried beneath the present “Golden Gate”) was sealed up with stones in the 1500's when the current walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt by the Ottoman Turkish conqueror Suleiman I. While the walls were being rebuilt, a rumor swept Jerusalem that the Messiah was coming. Suleiman, a Muslim, called together some Jewish rabbis and asked them to tell him about the Messiah. They described the Messiah as a great military leader who would be sent by God from the east. He would enter the Eastern Gate and liberate the city from foreign control. Suleiman then decided to put an end to any Jewish hopes by ordering the Eastern Gate sealed. He also put a Muslim cemetery in front of the Gate, believing that no Jewish holy man would defile himself by walking through a Muslim cemetery. But, personally, I don’t think that will stop Jesus.
The Lord will return at a moment when Jerusalem is under siege by the nations of the world and will enter Jerusalem nonetheless. In fact, when He returns to the earth, the moment His feet touch the Mount of Olives, the entire mountain will split in two and move to the north and south! [Zechariah 14:3-5] and He will return with the glorified saints [Zechariah 14:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 14; Revelation 19:11-16]. This very notion carries incredible impact because Jesus ascended into heaven from that very spot [Acts 1:12], but when He returns, the earth beneath His feet will move by His great and glorious power –and those suffering in Jerusalem will escape the great siege through this new valley. Likely, this rift will blow the ancient Eastern Gate open. He is coming back to crush the oppressive rule of the earth, as a man who smashes pottery (symbolic of “common” vessels in a house –used for ignoble purposes because they refuse to be cleaned [Romans 9:14-21; 2 Timothy 2:20-21]). He will crush them with a scepter of iron [Psalm 2; Revelation 2:26-27], which is symbolic of His unchallengeable power and glory. He will destroy the “man of lawlessness” (antichrist), who seeks to rule Jerusalem –Satan’s attempt to seize control of the entire world, with the breath of His mouth and the splendor of His return [2 Thessalonians 2:8; Isaiah 11]. Jesus will return at a time when Israel is about to be obliterated from the earth, but the enemy will be overcome, and Jesus will even raise David (and the other Old Testament saints) from the dead to rule with Him [Isaiah 30:4-9]. Then Jesus will institute a reign of peace unlike any this world has ever seen. The name “Jerusalem” means, “Teaching of Peace.” Jesus will indeed come and teach the world the true meaning of peace.
This, then, is the second triumphal entry of Jesus, and this time He will be riding a white horse (righteous rule and power of the King) [Revelation 19]. Imagine Jesus, approaching the Golden Gate, and Isaiah 62 is fulfilled. Imagine saying the words together with David, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Samuel, Abraham, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Peter, James, John, and all the saints of all time: “Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people! Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones! Raise a banner for the nations!” [Isaiah 62:10], “Lift up your heads, O you gates! be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may 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 them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty -- he is the King of glory!” [Psalm 24:7-10]. Now that’s a praise song that I would like to sing today… How about you?
Proclaiming the soon-return of Jesus, George