"and above the gate at Ephraim, by the Old Gate, by the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate, and they stopped at the Gate of the Guard." (Prison Gate)
Many years before, during the reign of Hezekiah, king of Judah, the call went out to Ephraim, and all the breakaway tribes of the Northern kingdom, to come and celebrate the Passover of the Lord. Some laughed with scorn, and others mocked the kings invitation. Some though, humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. Here, the Lord's invitation was to come, just as you are, ill equipped and unprepared, but ready to receive the grace and mercy of God.
On the other hand, some at the prison gate, though they stood at an open door, failed to exit the cell. Comfort, familiarity, self satisfaction filled them with a happy to call it status quo, I'm already blessed, I'm good.
Two gates contrasted, two peoples compared. Pray for those who are the two gates.
Pastor Russell
