PODCAST
The Gate of Hope
June 2nd, 2011
Romans 15:13-22
“Abandon hope, all ye who enter here” are the words Italian poet Dante portrayed as engraved over the gates of hell. Truly, hell can be defined as that place which is devoid of hope. It is without hope because the God of hope is not present there.
It was hope, Paul told the Romans, which led Abraham to believe God’s promises (4:18). In that faith Abraham was justified and “it was credited to him as righteousness” (v. 22). Now “we [too] have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (5:2).
In Revelation 21 the 12 gates of the eternal city, the New Jerusalem, face in every direction and are never shut. Through those gates will enter a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language (see Rev. 7:9). One day the gates of hell will be shut forever, and Jesus holds the keys.
