Scripture reading: Revelation 21:13
Revelation 21:13 says, “On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.”
Whenever we see this kind of repetition in Scripture, it is emphasis; there is something here to understand. First of all, “three” is the number of divine order: Father, Son, Holy Ghost and spirit, soul, body. “Three” is telling us that the “three gates” “on the east” are the perfect order of God to bring the sunrise, the glory of God, into the city. The “three gates” “on the east,” therefore, are those whom God has used to bring in the glory of God into the church.
The “three gates” “on the north” are representative of the ones who come in through tribulation. In the Song of Solomon 4:16, we find a verse which says, “Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.“ The north wind blows through “the north…gates” because the “north wind” is going south. Actually, we are talking about those who enter the gate from the north side, those who are coming out of the cold, those who have come through tribulation and have entered through these gates. They are the people of “the north…gates.”
“Three gates” “on the south” are for those who have transgressed, have fallen away from God, have turned back and found their way into the city.
“Three gates” “on the west” speaks of the setting of the sun, those who must come in at evening time, those who have come in late, but they yet have received their place in the “city…Jerusalem.” God has honored them with providing “three gates” to “the west.”
(Excerpt from The Book of Revelation, Volume 3, pages 130-131)
Thought for today: Let us strive to be a part of the three eastern gates: those whom God has used to bring in the glory of God into the church.
Sonlight Devotional 
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