GATES

Why does Jesus speak of gates? because it is through the gates that people and power interact with one another. It is through the gates of the city. Ancient cities invariably had gates and walls to protect the citizens from intruders robbers, murderer and enemy invaders. Through the centuries, the strongest defense of many a great city has been the strength of its gates. Behind the gates of a city, politics and policies are formed. In Bible times the city gates were often used as the place for government transactions and the seat of civil power. In Genesis 19:1, we find Abraham's nephew Lot sitting as one of the alderman in the gates of Sodom, occupying a position of Judical power. 

That choice, amazingly, includes our choice of destiny. We can choose for or we can choose against. But we cannot choose the consequences. If we choose against the person of Jesus Christ, we thereby step into God's decree of eternal punishment. If we choose in favor of the Lord Jesus Christ, then we inherit all the rewards of heaven.. The blessing of forgiven sins and eternity with God. God rules God reign. And His way is right.

They point to Corinthians 15:1-8 saying that this one passage tells us what the good news is.

The good news that Paul had preached to the Corinthians and now wants to remind them of, the good news that which they are saved, the message that he received and passed on them as of the first importance can be summarize in the next few (verses 3-7). "That Christ did for our according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scripture, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brother and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, through some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostle, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born." That according to many, in the gospel. Certainly, that is the great story of Jesus Christ and resurrection, which is true and important foundation to understand who Jesus is. 

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How searchable are His judgment and unfathomable His ways!

(Roman 11:33). 

Look at that! One command after another, one active imperatives after another. And it goes on into chapter 13, and into chapter 14, and further 15.

God's Sovereignty does not mean that I am released from responsibility. It does not mean i have no interest in today's affairs, or that i cannot be bothered about decisions, or that I need not concern myself with the eternal destiny of the lost. It doesn't mean that at all. Somehow there has to be a balance. 

In his book The Knowledge of the Holy, A. W. Tozer writes these very wise words. 

God sovereign decree that man should be free to exercise moral choice, and man from the beginning has fulfilled that decree by making his choice between good and evil. When he choose to do evil, he does not thereby countervail the sovereign will of God but fulfills it, in asmuch as the eternal decree decide not which choice the man should make but he should be free to make it. 

Where will all of this leads?  "To Him be the glory forever. Amen." and don't think that most people think of that. Most of us think. How will I get the glory? What will be the benefit to me? How will I be blessed? In God's sovereign plan, your life may be painful, disappointed, difficulty, inexplicably confusing, and downright mysterous. Pandemic time But i think of that when I read this:

Then comes the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. (Corona virus). For He has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when He says, "All things are must in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. And when all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, that God may be all in all. 

(1 Corinthians 15:24-28). 

We come all the way to the end of time, just before we step into eternity. And God is setting forth the final plans for this earth and all of its inhabitant. You can Destroy the gates of Hell.