The Gate Of Heaven

by David Smith, Ayr, Scotland | Category: General | Feb 1989

The sun sank in the western sky and darkness fell over Luz as the patriarch Jacob lay down to sleep, fatigued after a long day's journey. That night he dreamed as never before.

His experience might well have been a reverie of irregular thoughts passing through an exhausted subconscious mind. On the contrary his dream was a heavenly vision, the commencement of a divine purpose which extends through the ages to the new heaven and the new earth. The significance of what he saw that night, and his reaction to it, far exceed the passing experience of a sojourning pilgrim.

While perhaps Jacob understood only in a limited way what God was revealing to him when he exclaimed, "How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven" (Gen. 28:17), undoubtedly he had got the message and knew the immediate implications of his dream. He "rose up", thus giving effect to God's will, and set up the stone on which he had rested his head through the night "for a pillar", saying "this stone ... shall be God's house". Thus it was set up on earth, as were the tabernacle and the temple, also the house of God today, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Under the Old Covenant

We must emphasize that the house of God, as presented to us in the Old Testament scriptures from Genesis 28 onwards, was not constructed in heaven, but on earth, to a heavenly pattern, as a copy and shadow of the heavenly (11eb. 8:5). The basic purpose of God having a house on earth was twofold. First it provided for the living God, whose throne is in heaven (Is. 66:1), a dwelling place among His own redeemed and separated people here on earth (Ex. 25:8). Secondly, it provided a focal point where that people could draw near to Him in worship and service as ordained of God. In the house of God, heaven and earth were thus linked, as typified in the "ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven". It was the one recognized meeting place for God and His people. The word "gate" means an entrance, and is elsewhere translated "door" and "port", but precludes all thought of God's house being a means whereby men may enter heaven when their earthly days are over. The house of God and its connection with heaven are subjects for the redeemed, the called of God, such as was Jacob (Rom. 9:11,12).

In the tabernacle raised in the wilderness, the most holy place was the sanctuary, a sanctuary of this world erected on the earth and of earthly materials (Heb. 9:1-3). It was into this sanctuary that the high priest alone went once in the year (Lev. 16:2,34; Heb. 9:7) when the Lord appeared in a cloud upon the mercy seat. It was there that Jehovah met with His people, for His presence abode between the cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant that rested in the sanctuary (Ex. 25:22; 30:6; Num. 17:4). God's presence was where the ark was; He came down to meet with His people in the sanctuary of the tabernacle and later of the temple.

Under the New Covenant

Today the ark has been superseded by the living Christ whom it so beautifully represented in the dispensation past. His resting place, His sphere of service and location of ministry is not on earth but in heaven, not in the sanctuary of this world, but in the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man (Heb. 8:1,2; 1 Pet. 2:6,7). While the house of God today exists on earth, composed of living stones (1 Pet. 2:5) its sanctuary is in heaven, where the true Ark is. Thus, the process of Jehovah meeting with His people has been reversed. Instead of God descending to His people, they ascend to meet with Him. The gate, or way into heaven is "a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh". Consequently the invitation is made: "having a great Priest over the house of God; let us draw near" (Heb. 10:20-22). In spirit, God's people draw near. They enter His presence as a holy priesthood to offer service acceptable to God through His Son. Those in the house of God today secure an access to heaven in spiritual service in a manner which was never experienced by the faithful and devoted in Israel in the days of the material house.

In Millennial Times

In a future day, the One whose name is the Branch (Zech. 6:12,13) will sit and rule and be a priest upon His throne. The temple will be built, including the most holy place as seen in the pattern shown to Ezekiel (41:4). In his vision he saw the heaven opened. The gate of heaven will then be opened and the words of the Lord Jesus fulfilled, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man" (John 1:51).

David Smith, Ayr, Scotland | Feb 1989
General