The Parable of the Lamp illustrate two things. Firstly, Jesus is the light of the world. Secondly, His message; the gospel is the light of the world. The first spoken words of the Word of God came from Jesus "Let there be light." Light overcomes darkness. The world is in spiritual darkness. Jesus and His message overcomes the darkness. The word of God teaches us to not hide the light of Christ but to place our lampstands in the open not under a bushel or a bed. The lampstand represents our personal witness of Christ in us the hope of Glory.

The New Wine in Old Wineskins was the second and similar parable to the parable of New Cloth on an Old Garment. Jesus would often give a series of parables on the same subject to reinforce the truth to those who would listen. ( Example: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Lost Son.)Although they are similar in conveying the message that attaching the new covenant truths to the old covenant would distort the gospel message, there is additional revelation concerning the "new wine." The "new wine" was inward experience of joy in the Holy Spirit that is available to every believer.

This is the first in a series of parables Jesus taught concerning foundational truths of His gospel. The message compares the Old Covenant of the law which Is the covenant Israel is under at the time of Jesus 's ministry with the message of the New Covenant. Jesus is introducing a completely new message and just as new cloth cannot be successfully attached to an old garment like a patch; neither can the new message Jesus was bringing be attached to the Old Testament Covenant of the Law.

Jesus presented His truths concerning the Kingdom in approximately 40 percent of what He taught by using the parable method. This method of teaching was common in the Jewish culture. This introduction gives some insight on the value of parable teaching in creating a relationship between the teacher and the disciple.

The Miphkad Gate is the 10th and final gate in this series on Restoration. The Miphkad Gate is the Gate where tradition says King David welcomed his military officers returning from campaigns against Israel's enemies. Here rewards were given for their service. This a picture of "inspection" and "judgement." Likewise, believers. will be inspected by Jesus at the judgement seat of Christ which is not a judgement like the Great White Throne Judgement, but about the inspection and judgements for our works. Rewards will be given for faithful service in this life.

The East Gate is named for the direction it faces on the eastern wall toward the Mount of Olives. The East Gate is currently walled up and has been for over a 1000 years. The Muslim rulers at that time held Jerusalem and they did this because it is through this gate that Jesus will enter Jerusalem on the Day of The Lord, the day of His return. Many prophecies give details of this day and the great victory of Jesus over the armies of the anti Christ. As we visit these prophecies in the Word we also see the restoration of the earth following the destruction of the tribulation. We see the release of the healing waters that flow from the temple and flow out the East Gate.

The Horse Gate was the gate King David established to muster his troops to go out to battle the surrounding enemy nations and to fulfill the promise given to Abraham that the Kingdom of Israel would possess a territory from the river Euphrates in the east to the river Nile in the west. The people of God are called to spiritual warfare. To take territory for The kingdom of God. Our call is a call to war for the souls held in captivity by Satan and his demonic powers. To stir up the warring spirit in prayer for our families, our city and our nation.

The Water Gate was the only gate that was not destroyed in the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and his army. It testifies to the truth that the Word of God will live and abide forever. The Water Gate also represents the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. Nehemiah gathers all the people in the open square that at the Water Gate. A wooden platform was built for Ezra the priest and scribe to read for the people the Word of God. Levite priests were assigned to go among the assembly and help them understand the words they were hearing. This a picture of the effective work of the church in ministering the Word of God to the people.

The Fountain Gate was unlike the other gates. It was not a place of business. There was no flow of traffic of products and people. The Fountain Gate was a small passage in the wall on the eastern side of the wall. It allowed a stream of water from the Gihon spring in the Kidron valley to enter the city and supply a source of fresh water at the Pool of Siloam. This stream flowed through a garden King David had made below his palace. it is here that he would spent time in personal retreat to find intimate fellowship with His God.

The Refuse Gate was the gate established for removal of sewage and garbage from the city of Jerusalem. Only one gate was used for this to avoid contamination. it was a one way gate and not used for any other purpose. This gate speaks of the need for daily purging. The removal of those works of the flesh and the sins that so easily come upon us. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit within us who convicts us and draws us to the work of sanctification and a repentant attitude to remove the refuse in our thought life and our behaviour.