Gates That Never Close

Devotional

Gates That Never Close

A short midweek reflection to carry into your week.

June 17, 2026 Chuck Redwine 4 min read
Part of the message: Revealed!

Meditate on the image of open gates in God’s city and what it means for how we live and welcome others.

Scripture

[12] It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. [13] There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. [14] The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. [15] The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. [16] The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. [17] The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. [18] The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. [19] The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, [20] the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. [21] The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. [22] I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. [23] The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. [24] The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. [25] On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. [26] The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. [27] Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

[14] “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. [15] Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

What Will You See at the Gates?

Most of us have stood at some kind of doorway, wondering if we belong on the other side. Pastor Chuck led us to picture the New Jerusalem’s gates: huge, shining, made from a single pearl, set in walls of unimaginable color and light. What lingers from Sunday is that the gates never close. The invitation is real, and for any who come washed, welcomed, made whole.

But outside, scripture names people who remain apart. The ache of that image is not for their punishment but for the heartbreak of exclusion. If you let yourself spend a moment at that threshold, imagine the beauty ahead, light so bright it hurts your eyes, music ringing from beyond tall foundations, it is hard not to feel both gratitude and humility. The gates do not belong to us, but they have been thrown open. The question is not just whether we are inside, but who we hope to see beside us.

This week, where and how might you be someone who holds open a gate? Whether in a conversation, an invitation, or the quiet refusal to draw lines that Jesus himself does not draw, you have the chance to be a living reminder that God’s welcome is wide and costly and real. You can choose to let light from inside spill out.

Meditation focus: Let yourself imagine standing before God’s open gates, what do you see, and who do you long to welcome in?

Practical step: Reach out in encouragement or invitation to someone who feels far off, letting your words or actions communicate that the door is truly open.

Closing Prayer

Holy God, you are more beautiful than the city John saw, and your welcome reaches farther than we know. You set before us a life built not by our efforts but by your promise to make all things new. We yield to your wisdom, trusting your timing to bring justice and wholeness where we cannot see the answers. Provide what we need to be both humble and bold as we live in view of such costly grace. Forgive us for the many ways we close doors or count others out. Deliver us from the bitterness or pride that would keep us looking inward instead of outward. Lead us, Lord, to live as people who know the gates are open, people who shine your light into the shadows. In the name of the One who calls us home, Amen.

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