Salt And Light Council Founder Exhorts Christians to Focus on City Gates

“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations;

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”

–Isaiah 58:12

Dran Reese, Founder and President of The Salt & Light Council™, which includes initiatives such as PastorTownHall.com™ and Biblical Voter.com™ as well as Public-SchoolExit.com™ spoke Monday, Dec. 15 on “How To Live Like Nehemiah” and exhorted Christians to focus on City Gates during the Salt and Light Council monthly lecture series.

Nehemiah, the “trusted cupbearer with constant access” to the Persian King Artaxerxes, was a “faithful layman used by God to open the doors for national restoration” of the destroyed walls of Jerusalem. 

“Nehemiah was a trusted counselor of the king who had proven his character” but had heard reports (during the 20th year of Persian King Artaxerxes in the year 446 BC) from the men of Judah that the wall of Jerusalem “is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire” (Nehemiah 1:3).

In 722 BC, the Assyrians had deported the 10 northern tribes and scattered them all over the known world. Several centuries later, the Babylonians had destroyed and nearly depopulated Jerusalem by taking Jews into captivity for 70 years before the Persians took over in 539 BC and dominated the entire Near Eastern world. 

According to Reese, Nehemiah after hearing the reports, expressed covenant grief for the City of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1). He experienced intense pain: “of awareness, of reproach, of responsibility, of separation from God’s protection”–a pain that was “deep enough to change his body and habits.” It was a “pain of urgency mixed with hope.”

“Now I had never been sad in his presence (King Artaxerxes) before. Therefore the king said to me, ‘Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart’ (Nehemiah 2:1-2).”

Nehemiah proceeded to tell the King that Jerusalem’s gates had been “burned with fire” (Nehemiah 2:3) and the city laid in ruins. When the king asked what he could do, Nehemiah replied: “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it” (Nehemiah 2.5).

Dran Reese has marked her own backyard sidewalk with markers representing the 10 City Gates that Nehemiah rebuilt giving them a spiritual and practical application. The 10 City Gates include:

1. Sheep Gate (Nehemiah 3:1): “Our first experience in the Christian life starts here. Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. Pass through the sheep gate into repentance at the Cross and into saving grace.”
2. Fish Gate (Nehemiah 3:3): “Follow Me, said Jesus and I will make you fishers of men. This gate is where we connect the culture to truth.”
3. Old Gate (Nehemiah 3:6): “This gate reflects the ancient paths and foundational issues of faith and doctrine. There is no negotiation of our moral values.”
4. Valley Gate (Nehemiah 3:13): “This gate is where our humility is tested. We are exposed and purified through hardships.”
5. Dung Gate (Nehemiah 3:13): “We receive cleansing at this gate. Our spiritual trash is removed. We can’t build a nation while holding on to garbage.”
6. Fountain Gate (Nehemiah 3:15): “This gate is for the infilling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.”
7. Water Gate (Nehemiah 3:26): “At this gate, the Word of God sustains the believer. The global Gospel is spread through preaching and missions. Revival breaks out.”
8. Horse Gate Nehemiah 3:28): “At this gate, we engage in spiritual authority. We are warriors.”
9. East Gate (Nehemiah 3:29): “We await Jesus’ return at this gate. We keep watchmen on the wall for our families and country.”

10. Inspection Gate (Nehemiah 3:31): “This gate is where we do reflection. What do we want America to become for the next generation? What is our legacy?”

“We will celebrate our 250th birthday in 2026,” said Reese. “We need to take our place on the wall for our families, churches, and nation. Together we will rebuild.”

“With a hammer of prayer and action in one hand and the sword of God’s Word in the other,” said Reese, “we will learn how to live double-duty as the Church restores gates of faith in a broken cultural America.”

“Will we be able to say the words of Joshua? “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15).

(Editor’s Note: Dran Reese is fully committed to advancing the name of Jesus Christ in the public sphere, particularly in government and civic life. She is a nationally recognized speaker, addressing the vital role of biblical citizenship and the responsibilities of individuals in upholding faith-based principles in society. Salt and Light affiliates connect church, family and government through prayer, education, and action. For more information contact 888-725-8654 or www.SaltandLightCouncil.org.)