The watchman discovered that rebuilding Old City Gate has great depth of meaning and significance that he could never have dreamed of. Yes, the Spirit of God prompted him to find this old path as he waited upon the Lord. When leading the class to do this prophetic act of faith he had merely started the work by faith. But now he knows this not initiated by him. The following are revelations received as he sought the Lord.
Revelation One: God wants His people to look back to Him as the Foundation, the Source of life. Ps. 102:25 “Long ago, You laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with Your hands.” Jeremiah 6:16 states ‘Thus says the Lord, Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls.’
Revelation Two: God’s truth stands firm as a foundation stone. 2 Tim.2:19 “But God’s truth stands firm as a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”
Revelation Three: God has assigned some of His people to be re-builders. Isa.58:12 “Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a re-builder of walls and a restorer of homes.” In v11, the Lord also promises that He will guide you continually, giving water when you are dry and restoring your strength. (This was exactly what Yeshua did when He came to the two followers on the road to Emmaus).
Revelation Four: The Lord Yeshua Christ comes personally to accompany His re-builders onto the right path. On the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), the resurrected Yeshua came to His two followers. They were sad and disappointed, as they thought their hope in the Messiah re-building the physical Israel nation dash to pieces. But the Lord Yeshua came to seek them out, took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. After the seven miles’ walk, at their invitation, He went home with them, sat down to eat, took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him!
The watchman was at first puzzled over this last passage. What has the Road to Emmaus got to do with the Old Gate? Then his eyes were opened. He looked up the map and indeed found that it started outside the Old Gate and stretched North-West ward. This was not a coincidence. The watchman knew in his spirit that the Lord Yeshua has revealed this truth.
When believers and followers of Christ depart from the Old Gate plumb line of God, they will be filled with discouragement, emptiness of purpose, helplessness and even hopelessness. They have left the solid rock foundation of old (the Ancient of Old) and moved their building to shaky foundation of sands. The path away from the right path of the godly (righteous in Christ) is described as “the path of the wicked” in Psalm One. The Lord only watches over the path of the godly (righteous) (Ps.1:6)
Psalm 121 promises you pilgrims who ascend to Jerusalem, to worship the Lord God Almighty Himself (not turning away from Him), the Lord Himself watches over your life, keeps you from all harm, stands beside you as a protective shade and He will not let you stumble. Indeed, “He will keep watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” (Ps.121:8)
One clearly revealed clue for us is that Yeshua (Jesus) uses the Word of God to turn our focus back to Him and His Redemption. Only by reading and understanding His Word the followers’ spiritual eyes opened which changed the course of their life immediately. They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” “And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem” (to testify for Him)! (Luke 24:32-33)
When the two disciples walked back to Jerusalem’s Old Gate, they were indeed walking towards Calvary, not away from the Cross as they did in the confusion after Jesus was crucified. Indeed, when they arrived, they found to their great joy that He is risen!!
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Faith in Action: Old City Gate Rebuilding Group: Purple cloth is used to represent ‘before time’ ‘Ancient of Days’ God; the old paths of God; Original Foundation (Yeshua Himself). The builders’ names are: Joiada (the Lord knows), Meshullam (repaying), Melatiah (Jehovah delivers), Jadon (judge), people from Mizpah (watch tower)