The Enemy Entered the Gates
By A. M. Dart
What Caused the Disaster?—The Blessing Ahead of Instruction Is Heeded “The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.” Lam. 4: 12. Jerusalem was the city of the great King. The people of God were in possession of her. How could the enemy enter there? Great the lesson, reader. The enemy enters where the law of God is disregarded, however great the profession and the feeling of security of those who disregard it. Faithfully had the prophet Jeremiah warned the people. “But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.” Jer. 17: 23. They cruelly persecuted the prophet who warned them of the coming enemy and pleaded with them to cease their transgressions. The prophet thus lamented their condition: “All their gates are desolate; her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness. Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the Lord hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.” Lam. 1: 4, 5. The Lord had said that if they would “hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work therein,” kings and princes sitting upon David’s throne should enter the gates of Jerusalem, “and this city shall remain forever.” But if they should fail in this obedience, “then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.” Jer. 17: 24-27. Disobedience reaped her sure reward, and the city was destroyed. The New Jerusalem is just ahead of us. Some one will enter the pearly gates; but not those who have disregarded the law of God in the light of His pleadings and entreaties. “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22: 14.