Open the Gates and the Doors, the King is coming! Psalm 24
After the incident when the cart stumbled the ark was taken to Obed-edom = blessing
The presence of the Lord was there in the ark
Slide 1 the ark of the covenant was to be carried with poles by the priests
We can try to move God with the flesh and expect him to bless our work
It’s up to us as priests to carry the presence of God correctly
How do we conduct ourselves as the people of God?
Do you try to work in the flesh and not under the direction of the Holy Spirit?
The psalm was probably written to be sung when the ark of the covenant was taken up from the house of Obed–edom in Kirjath Jearim to Mount Zion, where David had caused it to be set up in a tabernacle built expressly for it 2 Sam 6:12-19
PREPARATION FOR THE LORD WHO IS ABOUT TO COME
Preparation to meet royalty
Read Mal 3:1-3
The fivefold occurrence of “King of glory” and His identification as the “Lord of hosts” leads to the position that this psalm is messianic
Questions may be asked about the fitness of the people who were to minister before the ark
The last verses may refer to the opening of the city gates in order to allow it in
Behold I stand at the door and knock Rev 3:20
The promise, ‘I will come in’
The psalm has two parts:
1. The first part shows that God is King of all the world; but he has two kinds of subjects
2. The second part is considered by some as an exhortation to all men, that they receive, acknowledge, and worship Christ, as King
There are all men, and those called out to be His own people
Yet among His own, there is a difference too, for some only profess to be his servants, and call him Lord, as hypocrites
Then there are others that are his servants who love and obey him
Hypocrites in the Church are not true members of the Church
Then some who come to the hill of the Lord, yet don’t stand in his holy place
Many believe only for a time, and few continue faithful to death
Jesus spoke about the wheat and the chaff, the sheep and the goats, the fruit trees, either good or bad
He always was comparing the two
Those who say at the end of the age, ‘But Lord we cast out devils and did this and that in your name..!’
He said, ‘I never knew you!’
The character Jesus looks for are the same character of the people in this psalm:
As it celebrates the Lord’s entrance into Zion, it shows the true character of them who may enter with Him
Psalm 24:3
Who shall ascend?
Who is sufficiently holy to wait in his temple?
Who is fit to minister in the holy place?
Who would be qualified to worship Him?
Who would be regarded as His friends?
He that hath clean hands—He whose conscience is irreproachable
Whose heart is without deceit and uninfluenced by unholy passions.
Who hath not lifted up his soul to idolatrous inclination
Whose faith is pure, and who conscientiously fulfils his promises to the master
These same persons preceding the ark order it to be raised
Slide 2 Everlasting doors—There seems to be a reference here to something like our portcullis, which hangs by pullies above the gate
When it is lifted up, and appears above the head or top of the gate
“Be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors;” let there be no obstruction; and the mighty Conqueror, the King of glory, whose presence is with the ark, and in which the symbol of his glory appears, shall enter
Prepare the way of the Lord!
Make preparations to admit the King into the City (into xxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
People will say as they did then
Psalm 24:8
Who is this King of glory?—This is the answer of those who are within
Those who know him and are known by him
They say, Who is this glorious King, for whom you demand such an entrance?
To which they who know him say, ‘The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle—It is Jehovah, who is come to set up his dwelling in this place’
It is He who has conquered his enemies, and brought salvation
Notice it is repeated, but in variation verse 9
A more particular question is asked:—Who is HE, THIS King of glory?
What’s he like? Where is he from? What is he to do with us? They say
The Lord of hosts—he who is coming with innumerable armies, He is this King of glory
Jesus will return again
First he was shrouded with wood overlain with gold, only going where he was carried and where he instructed; then he was veiled in flesh to walk among us.
The word became flesh and dwelt among us Jn 1:1
We see the baby at Christmas and the sacrifice at Easter, but we can forget the ascension, the age we walk in NOW!
Where is the King?
Seated (it is finished! Was his cry)
What is he doing?
Ruling, reigning and equipping the Church for His return
Is 6 proclaims, ‘ I saw the Lord, He was high and lifted up and His glory filled the temple’
What does he look like to you?
The ark, hidden away?
The baby helpless and weak?
The sacrifice, sorrowful and to be pitied?
Or the glorious King who is seated on high waiting for the bride to say, ‘COME’
To which, the portcullis was lifted up, the gates thrown open, and the whole company entered in
At last the symbol of the Divine Presence in fullness as one with his people
Read Rev 21 various sections on the gates
