“These gates lead to the Presence of the Lord!” What an astounding statement! There are “gates” in the Spirit that we can go through by faith that will guarantee arrival in God’s Presence! Lord! Father, Show us these gates! Let us go through no other! For the true believer, there is no greater blessing than the experience of God’s manifest Presence. What are these gates and where are they to be found?

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. [Matthew 7:13–14 (NKJV)]

I believe that the narrow gate is the gate of justification by faith found at foot of the Cross. When we receive Christ, we are brought into right standing with the father purely on the merits of Christ’s work on the Cross. It is the gate that every soul must pass through to obtain eternal life. It is exclusive faith in the finished work of Christ on our behalf as our only hope of salvation. "Gates" in the Bible always lead to a way and this gate is no exception. The narrow gate always opens to a difficult, but infinitely more rewarding “way”. The way that every born again believer must follow is the Way of the Cross. As Jesus said, “

“Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. [Luke 9:23 (NKJV)]

If the gate is receiving Jesus as Savior, the path is crowning Him as Lord! As we by faith must go through the gate of salvation, we must by that same faith and grace continue in the way of sanctification. This path always leads us to His Presence, to the feet of Jesus where we “listen to His Word” and receive that better part that shall not be taken from us.

Another “gate” leading to God’s Presence is expressed beautifully in Isaiah 60

“Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates, Praise. [Isaiah 60:18 (NKJV)]

“But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.” [Psalm 22:3 (NKJV)]

Psalm 22 has been called the Psalm of the Cross and many scholars believe that Jesus quoted it while hanging on the Cross. The context of this verse in the psalm illustrates an important principle: Praise ushers us into God’s Presence and does so especially when we don’t feel like it! The difficult path that leads to life can be hard indeed! It is the joy of the Lord that keeps us from turning back and this joy is a fruit of praise! The first two verses of the psalm reveal that the last thing Jesus felt like doing was praising God.

Psalm 100:4 says that we are to, “

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4 (NKJV)

In describing the New Jerusalem, the future home of the saints, the writer of Hebrews declares it has twelve gates, three gates on each side with each made of a single pearl! Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of life are permitted to enter through the gate into the city. Outside the gate are all whose name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life!

Do you know where you are going? Are you confident that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life?

Father, we thank You that You have opened a gate leading to a way that would result in our living continually in Your Presence. Father, there is no greater gift that we could receive today or in eternity than to experience Your manifest Presence in a way that is full, clear and glorious! Lord, set us into Your presence this day and if we slip out draw us back into a sweet consciousness of Your nearness for “in Your Presence is fullness of joy and at your right hand are pleasures forevermore! [Psalm 16:11

We purpose today, to praise You more and more!

“Lift up Your heads O ye gates and the King of Glory shall come in!” [Psalm 24]

In Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!!