The Gate in Waiting (A Poem by Terry Gibson)

The Gate in Waiting (A Poem by Terry Gibson)   

There is a gate in waiting, in the city of the King.

It waits above the valley, and adorns a tranquil scene.

Jerusalem is churning, on the north, south and west.

Yet the Eastern Gate waits quietly, above multitudes at rest.

On Olive Mount, I stood one day, and view this Golden Gate.

Amid singing saints and setting sun in the spirit was my state.

Looking o’er this glorious Gate, from atop that blessed mount.

Two scenes of great events, I saw, and now recount.

One scene took place in ages past, the other is soon to be.

In both there was the Son of God, and the Gate of Destiny.

The first scene was triumphant, they hailed Him as a King.

There was thousands in the valley, and “Hosannas” loud did ring.

Many miracles of greatness, had He done before their eyes.

Giving sight to the blind, calling forth the dead to rise.

His disciples were elated, as they joined this happy throng.

But little did they know, that their hopes would soon be gone.

So long ago the prophet told, that lowly He would come.

Riding on a donkey’s colt, unbefitting the Righteous One.

Yet thousands upon thousands, stood in the valley on that day.

And up the path to the Eastern Gate, with Palm branches did array.

“Save us Son of David,” the multitudes did cry.

When suddenly, the crowd did change, hey shouted “Crucify!”

Oh! What price out God did pay, while sinners yet we were.

The mocking ones – the crown of thorns, pierced hands – what agony!

And so the only Son of God, was hung upon a cross.

He’d come to earth in godly love, to save those that were lost.

Then the scene did fade away, and another scene took its place.

For Jesus had said He would return, to redeem mankind’s disgrace.

On Olive Mount I stood again, and viewed the Eastern Gate.

Yet, it was closed, sealed with stone, awaiting a King to coronate.

Ezekiel long ago had said, the gate would thus be so.

Until the Prince returned to earth, then all the world would know.

Around the city armies stood, from nations of the world.

As smoke and fire were everywhere, the armaments were hurled!

Yet the Golden Gate still quietly stood, while looking upward it seemed.

Suddenly the trump did sound, it was the coming of the King!

And then I saw the Lord of Lords, descending from on high.

With multitudes of Heavenly Hosts, behind Him in the sky.

He came and stood on Olive Mount, and then the earth did shake.

He spoke and all armies fell, and the evil power did break.

Upon a white and valiant steed, down Olive Mount did ride.

Through Kidron Valley up to the Gate, while the Jewish remnant cried.

They looked upon Him, Whom they had pierced, and grieved as for a son,

So bitterly they wept in shame, yet with grace He did respond.

And all the while the number grew of Angels and the Saints.

Millions upon millions, joined Him in the ranks.

They sang “Hosanna to the Son of David,” “Hosanna to the King.”

Throughout all heaven and the earth, the loud Hosannas ring.

The Gate in waiting trembled, and the stones then blew apart.

And the Holy One did enter, His eternal reign to start.

Oh! What sweetness in that Day, the redeemed of God shall know.

From Mount Zion in Jerusalem, the living waters flow.

Are you yearning for that day, when the Lord of Host shall come?

Or do you flee in fear, before the Holy One?

Call upon His name, before that coming day.

Flee into His loving arms, He will wipe all tears away.