We shall all Appear Before Him

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | November 10, 2023 | Nehemiah 3:31-32

KEY VERSE:

“Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner” Nehemiah 3:31 (NIV)

MESSAGE :

Today’s devotional takes us to the last gate mentioned in the series: The Inspection Gate, also known as the Miphkad Gate. The word in Hebrew has a military connection and according to tradition, it was at this gate that David would meet his troops to inspect them. Based on the description, it is deduced that the Inspection Gate must have been on the east or northeast wall, a little to the south of the Sheep Gate. We need to understand that we must all go before an “inspection station”, better known as the Judgment seat of Christ. This gate speaks to us of the examination of our lives by the Lord. This occurs in this life as indicated by Paul in 1 Cor. 4:4: 'For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.' The ultimate fulfilment of this is at the Bema seat of Christ, where our lives are inspected and rewarded appropriately (1 Cor.3:10-15, 2 Cor.5:10). In our Christian experience we should be living with this in mind. We are called to live our lives with eternity in view, caring more for the things of eternity than the temporal things that we see around us.

As we conclude the series on the Gates, it is fitting to quickly review how they remind us of Jesus and His finished work on the Cross. The Sheep Gate teaches us that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The Fish Gate reminds us that Jesus calls us to be fishers of men to win souls for His kingdom. The Old Gate highlights how Jesus makes us New Creations and expects us to walk in the truth of God’s word. By the Valley Gate, Jesus is always with us, even in the valley of trials and tribulations. The Dung or Rubbish Gate teaches us that we should get rid of everything that defiles us. At the Fountain Gate, Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit so that He becomes a fountain of living water in us and flows through us. The Water Gate signifies that Jesus washes us clean with His word. The Horse Gate reminds us that the Christian life is warfare and that we must put on the whole armour of God. The East Gate and the Inspection Gate, remind us of the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the final judgment so that we will remember to live our lives with Eternity in view!

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Who is Jesus to you, and how have you benefitted from His finished work on the cross? We have had enough to ponder upon from lessons of the Sheep Gate to the Inspection Gate. Surrender your life wholly to Him and trust Him to see you through the twists and turns of life because He has won the victory over life, sin, Satan and death.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your work of salvation and your grace that sustains us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Help me to live in the victory that you have won for me for your dear name’s sake. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

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DAILY word study: INSPECTION GATE The inspection gate in Hebrew is called שַׁ֫עַר הַמִּפְקָד (sha’ar ha-miphkad), which means the gate of the appointed place, the muster, or the census. It is also known as the prison gate, the gate of the gathering, or the gate of the review. This gate has a spiritual and prophetic significance, as it represents the final judgment of God for both believers and unbelievers.

According to some Bible scholars, the inspection gate was the place where the people of Israel registered their names and genealogies to enter Jerusalem. It was also the place where the captives of war were brought and imprisoned. The inspection gate reminds us of the accountability that we have before God, who knows everything about us and will reward or punish us according to our deeds.

Our Key verse for our devotional today shows that the inspection gate was located near the northeast corner of the city wall, close to the temple area and the sheep gate, where the sacrifices were offered. Some commentators suggest that this implies a connection between the inspection gate and the sheep gate, as both point to the work of Christ, who died as the Lamb of God for our sins and who will judge the world with justice and righteousness.

Reflections What will happen when Christ examines your heart and deeds at the inspection gate? In what ways can we live our lives to honour God and show love and kindness to others, trusting in His grace and mercy?