There are a total of twelve gates listed by name in Nehemiah the same number of gates which will be in the walls of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:12-13).

 

Examining the types and shadows of the rebuilding of the gates in the walls of Jerusalem hold tremendous blessings for our Christian walk.

 

The Sheep gate was the first gate rebuilt and a type of the Lamb of God “Jesus Christ”.  John the Baptist at seeing Jesus approaching said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). I am glad Nehemiah started rebuilding at the Sheep Gate! Salvation is the first thing not the last thing.

 

As you read Nehemiah chapter 3 you should notice that unlike the other gates there were no locks placed on the Sheep Gate. This was a type and shadow of a great truth that the door (gate) of salvation is open to “whosoever will”. Jesus made this statement found in The Gospel according to John 10:1-2

 

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.” Just a few verses later Jesus continues with this “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:7-10)

 

A perfect illustration of that abundant life is found in John Chapter five where Jesus was at Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate. There was a pool there at the Sheep Gate which at certain times an angel went down and troubled the water and that if at that time one was to step into the pool that one would be made whole. It is recorded that hundreds of sick people, blind people, crippled and paralyzed people waited at the Sheep Gate for the pool to be troubled. Thirty Eight years this particular man waited and one day at the Sheep Gate He met the Chief Sheppard and was made whole.

 

Also notice that the sheep gate is the only gate that was sanctified, setting it apart from all of the others as a special gate. The word sanctified means to make clean or to make holy. Salvation is the Holy work of a Holy God. And we must never forget that Scripture commands us to be holy. "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God." (Leviticus 20:7) "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16) Let the church never forget it is to be holy. And let the church not think to highly of itself remembering the mercy obtained. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

 (1 Peter 2:9-10)

 

Without the Sheep Gate (Jesus Christ) in your life drunkeness walks into your walls and dwells in your gates. Sexual sins, habits, and lusts control your city. Your city is constantly being ravaged by thrieves and extortioners. Listen to what the Scripture tells us about such things, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." (I Corinthians 6:9-10)