Today’s verse mentions the 4 main points of the compass! It discusses the locations of the Gates to the Holy City of God, future New Jerusalem!
“On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.” Revelation 21:13, word for word.
At times the Bible will allude to the compass, while NOT indicating a complete 360 degree sweep. For example: “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Psalm 75:6-7, where the “north” is omitted. Why? We do not know for sure. Maybe because Heaven, God’s present Residence, is though to perhaps be in the “north,” the northern sector of the universe! At least Isaiah 14:13-14 teaches that the fallen angel Lucifer thought so. “For thou (Satan) hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit (on God’s very Throne) also upon the mount of the congregation, IN THE SIDES OF THE NORTH. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”
Anyway, when God comes to live with redeemed humanity, inaugurating the “eternal state” for all saved mankind … the City He’s building for that express purpose will have a total of 12 Gates. And 3 of them face in each fundamental direction; east and north and south and west.
I suppose I could express what each of the compass headings might mean, 90 and 180 and 270 and back to 360 degrees. But surely the central thought here is that God has made ACCESS to Himself available to ALL who would come!
Scripture records people being “saved” from every point of the compass. The Day of Pentecost, its list of nations having representatives present in Jerusalem, people who heard Peter preach, people who were saved that great Day … that list alone reveals each compass direction, really! Here’s Acts 2:8-11. “And how hear we (sinners) every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” A veritable geography lesson here!
Plus, Joel 2:32 promised such a time would come. And it did! “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.”
Here’s how Paul re-quotes Joel’s magnificent verse. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13
Including people from every nation, every tribe, on earth!
Thus; east, north, south and west!
Plus this. Our verse for today (“On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.”) may as well teach us there we will have egress from the Holy City, freedom to travel anywhere we please. Remember, the new earth is nearby! And no telling what else! Even the “heavens” have been recreated, made new. Listen to God speak, way back in Isaiah 65:17. “For, behold, I create NEW HEAVENS and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Wow, the half has never been told, I suspect.
I will promise you this about New Jerusalem. It WILL NOT be a boring, dull place! Plenty to do, life forevermore! Eternally delighted in the Presence of our God!
Praise his Name!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell