“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.”  Genesis 12:3

When God spoke these covenant words to Abraham, He was talking about the release of inheritance and destiny. We are also directed to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. When we pray through the gates of Jerusalem we are releasing inheritance and destiny for Israel and for those who bless her. Each Gate represents a part of this destiny. See Ps 122:2, 6

The Lion’s Gate (Stephen’s Gate) in today’s city of Jerusalem is the Old Sheep Gate which became known as Stephen’s Gate to commemorate the martyr of Stephen who was stoned near this gate as described in Acts 7:54-60 for preaching Christ as the Messiah. This gate faces the Mount of Olives. In biblical times, just outside of it were located the pools of Bethesda where the sick came for healing in the waters of the pools. Bethesda means 'House of Mercy' or 'House of Grace'. It is also the entry gate to the Via Delorosa (the way of the cross). This was the first gate repaired by Nehemiah. The gate had no locks nor bars on it.

The Gospel for All:
Christ came through this gate as the Lamb of God to redeem all mankind beginning with the Jew first. The founders of Christianity were Jews who believed and preached Jesus as the Messiah. His followers, as sheep, are called to “the way of the cross.” Like Stephen, we are asked to give up our lives to declare Christ to the world. The pools of Bethesda remind us that God desires to restore those who follow the Lamb of God. Since there are no bars nor locks on this gate, all are welcome! It must be entered freely by individual choice.

This gate could be renamed “The Gate of Public Declaration.”

The Gate of Declaration:
Stephen describes seeing Jesus at the right hand of God. He laid down his life to declare Him openly in the streets just outside this gate! In Hebrews 4:14-16 God calls us to come openly and boldly to Him. The earthly pools of Bethesda have long ago dried up and crumbled. But the water of Life flowing from Jesus still heals and restores today, hallelujah! This gate stands for acceptance of Jesus as the Christ and the restoration of declaring the gospel to the Jews and the Gentiles. As in Nehemiah’s day the restoration of this gate is “first priority.” The gospel needs to revisit Jerusalem and our own cities openly! It is no longer to be confined to buildings. The pools of Bethesda were in the open market place. Christ bore the cross openly in the streets to declare His love for us. It is time to declare Christ openly as did Stephen at this gate of declaration! Note: The five pools were covered porches creating a canopy of mercy covering!

Prayer Example:
“Father, we lift up our eyes to your throne to see Jesus standing at your side calling to our generation. We stand in this gate to claim the inheritance it represents. We call forth the anointing of Stephen upon men and women in Israel who will come forth to openly declare you in the streets of their cities. We call forth the Christians in our own cities for men and women to rise up and go forth into the streets and work places to boldly declare you as their Messiah! We ask this, O God, even if it takes persecution to get us to stand in this gate. Lord, let your people learn to stand in the way of the cross, so that like Stephen, we will be compelled to lay down our lives that others can come to the waters of eternal Life to be saved and find a mercy covering in you. We declare that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He alone is the gateway to salvation. We declare that He is the peace of Jerusalem and our peace! We declare an opening of this gate in ourselves, our churches, our communities, the market place, and the nations!  And may all be drawn unto Him as He is lifted up.