“It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb”
(Rev. 21:12-14 NIV)
Some day you and I are going to live in a “gated community!”
Most of us think of a place like that as being for the very rich
or powerful. Well, guess what? Our Father in heaven is!
Heaven – the ultimate “gated community.” There are
twelve gates, spaced out as described in our text. Each of
these gates has an angel there. I’m supposing Peter has
more important business and besides, his name is on one
of the wall foundations. The sons of Israel have their names
on the gates.
“The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of
a single pearl” (v. 21). What can this mean? It means that heaven
will be a place for those who have overcome. A pearl is
produced by a little sea animal’s response to a tragedy, being
the only gem that is made from suffering.
Heaven is a place where there will be no more tears, but what could
this mean to one who had never cried? Heaven is a place where
there is no more sorrow, but who could appreciate this who was
never broken-hearted? Heaven is a place where there is no
more death, but who can appreciate this like one who has
buried a loved one? Heaven is a place where there is no more
pain, but what can that mean to one who has never suffered?
Heaven! Don’t miss it for the world!
Bruce
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