The city gates.
I. THE CITY GATES ARE FOR EGRESS. The citizens are not to remain always immured in their streets and houses. They are to go forth to the country—till their vineyards, lead their flocks over the hills, visit their neighbors.
1. It is bad to be always in society. Christ called his disciples away from the multitude to a desert place, to rest awhile.
2. It is desirable to cultivate the spirit of enterprise. We English have our island home guarded by the friendly sea, but we take care to have many gates, and to go forth over the wide world. We travel and trade; in discovery and adventure the hardy vigor of the British race finds scope, and grows by exercise. It will be a misfortune for England if this spirit of enterprise gives place to a more indolent, self-indulgent tone of life. The same spirit should be seen in the Church. We ought to have more energy and daring, not content to enjoy our privileges at home, but eager to go forth and do some fresh service for our Master.
3. It is a Christian duty to carry missionary work out into the world. Christians should go out of the gates of Christendom to bring the standard of the gospel into heathen lands.
II. THE CITY GATES ARE FOR INGRESS.
1. Strangers should be welcomed. The gates of the city of God are open day and night (Revelation 21:25). The heavenly Jerusalem is always ready to welcome new guests. The city is to be a metropolis of man, a center and home for all travelers in the weary journey of life. It is utterly contrary to the spirit of Christ for a Church to show any spirit of exclusiveness, any desire to keep its privileges to itself. Christianity is for the world. "Whosoever will, let him come,"
2. The citizens should return home. "Man goeth forth unto his work, and to his labor, until the evening" (Psalms 104:23). "Then the ploughman homeward plods his weary way." After work in the fields comes rest in the home. We cannot be always engaged in Christian enterprises. It would not be healthy for a Church to be wholly absorbed in mission work. It must also have its own loving fellowship and refreshing worship.
III. THE CITY GATES ARE FOR PROTECTION. They are gates, not gaps. The well cared-for city of the olden times had massive gates with stout locks and bars, and perhaps a portcullis at each gate for additional protection. The city of God has ample means of warding off the attack of the enemy of souls. God has not cast his people out in a waste, howling wilderness to be a prey to evil creatures. He has called them into "a city which hath foundations" and walls and gates. Christ himself is the Lord of this new Jerusalem, and all are safe who are with him. "There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
IV. THE CITY GATES MUST BE MANNED BY THE PEOPLE.
1. They need guards. The garrison of Jerusalem must concentrate its attention on the gates. Christ is the Captain, we are the soldiers; under him it becomes our duty to hold the gates. The sick, the aged, and women and children, are kept in the city while the men sally forth to attack the enemy. The gates must be guarded for the sake of the human trust within. The Church should guard the young, the feeble, the tempted,
2. The guards are severally apportioned. Each gate seems to be named after the tribe to whose soldiers it is allotted. There are various branches of the Christian Church, and there is separate work for each body of Christians. If one gate is taken, the city is endangered. Faithfulness is needed in all classes of Christians for the security of the whole Church.