SAFE WORD: GATE

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) Many a time we use and speak word so easily without thinking much of whether such word is correct  to use in our daily conversation. We treat it lightly. Word such as "LUCK" is not found in the Bible and yet we often use it.

b) Why is it so necessary to learn to use and speak the correct word? Matthew 12:36-37 has a lot to say about it.

i) 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37 NKJV)

c) We will have to give an account of ourselves (Romans 14:12), every idle (careless, empty, thoughtless, worthless) word we speak (Matthew 12:36) and every work (deed) including every secret (hidden) thing whether good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14) in the day of judgment. For that reason, it compels us to use and speak the correct word or words especially God's Word. It's safe to use and we can learn a lot from its intended meaning.

1. Safe word:

a) Gate(s) - opening in a (city) wall, consisting of a door protected by a series of barriers and flanked towers; the place of judicial decisions, town criers, marketplace trade. 

2. Biblical references:

a) Psalms 24:7; 87:2

i) Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. (Psalms 24:7 NKJV)

ii) The Lord loves the gates of Zion, More than all the dwellings of Jacob. (Psalms 87:2 NKJV)  

b) Proverbs 31:23 

i) 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. (Proverbs 31:23 NKJV)

c) Isaiah 62:10 

i) 10 Go through, Go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; Build up, Build up the highway! Take out the stones, Lift up a banner for the peoples! (Isaiah 62:10 NKJV) 

d) Matthew 7:13-14; 16:18 

i) 13 “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)

ii) 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 NKJV)

e) Acts 3:2

i) And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple. (Acts 3:2 NKJV)  

f) Hebrews 13:12

i) 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. (Hebrews 13:12 NKJV)

g) Revelation 21:12, 25

i) 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. (Revelation 21:12 NKJV)

ii) 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. (Revelation 21:15 NKJV)


The End ...

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