In Nehemiah 3:15 we can read about the restoration of the sixth gate of the city of Jerusalem, which was established by Shallun the son of Kol-Hozeh, who was the ruler of the district of Mizpah.
Nehemiah 3:15:
15 The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Siloam, by the King’s Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David.
15 The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Siloam, by the King’s Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David.
It is the gate within the twelve gates of the earthly Jerusalem, which was provided with a covering, as will be explained later.
We know that Jesus Christ, who came to us on earth as the Son of Man on behalf of the Heavenly Father, is the door for those who obediently follow His voice (cf. John 10:9).
John 10:9:
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
The Sixth Gate and its Restoration
Since the restoration of the fountain gate is the sixth gate and the number ‘6’ represents the human realm, we can use it to recognize God’s plan of redemption, which leads us into His revelatory provision. We connect this with the truth that at the time of the multiplication of the five barley loaves and two fish of a child, Jesus had the people camp in a place where there was plenty of grass (cf. John 6:9-11).
John 6:9-11:
9 ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’
10 Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).
11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
9 ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’
10 Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).
11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
Since grass is green and the throne of God is also surrounded by a greenish (Note: like an emerald) rainbow, we can recognize the reference to revelatory provision (cf. Revelation 4:3b).
Revelation 4:3b:
… 3b A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.
… 3b A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.
In Hebrew, the ‘fountain gate’ is associated with the letter ‘Ayin’, which carries the numerical value ‘70’. The number ‘70’ is, among other things, a reference to ‘the end of oppression’, because the people of Israel returned to Israel from captivity in Babylon after 70 years (cf. Jeremiah 29:10-11).
Jeremiah 29:10-11:
10 This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfil my good promise to bring you back to this place.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
10 This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfil my good promise to bring you back to this place.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
‘Ayin’ means ‘spring, well, fountain’ or ‘eye’ and is pictographically represented as such. Since spring water can also be described as living water, this is a reference to the Holy Spirit who, through the power of the testimony of Jesus, as the Spirit of prophecy, leads us as believers in Christ into the predestined truth of the Father (cf. Revelation 19:10e i.c.w. John 7:38-39a; John 16:13).
Revelation 19:10e:
‘… 10e For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.’
‘… 10e For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.’
John 7:38-39a:
‘… 38 Whoever believes in me [Note: Jesus Christ], as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’
39a By this he meant the Spirit, …
‘… 38 Whoever believes in me [Note: Jesus Christ], as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’
39a By this he meant the Spirit, …
John 16:13:
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
The Dynamic of the Prophetic Spirit and the Divine Order
To better understand the dynamic of the prophetic spirit and the divine order associated with it, which goes hand in hand with peace, it is beneficial to take a closer look at the establishment of the fountain gate through ‘Shallun’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:32-33a).
1 Corinthians 14:32-33a:
32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
33a For God is not a God of disorder but of peace – …
32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
33a For God is not a God of disorder but of peace – …
The name ‘Shallun’ in this context can be described as ‘a person who is rewarded by God or who is recompensed by God.’ (Note: The explanation of the name ‘Shallun’ is based on an explanation from the biblical dictionary of names by Dr. Abraham Meister with the word key number: 3091, 3093).
‘Shallun’ was the son of ‘Kol-Hozeh’, which can be translated as ‘all-seeing’ and his administrative district ‘Mizpah’ can be explained as ‘mountain height, rampart, watchtower’.
Thus through Shallun, the head of the district of Mizpah, the sonship in Christ and through his father Kol-Hozeh the eternal fatherhood of God becomes recognizable, which originates from God, who sees everything and keeps having an overview of everything.
If we allow the prophetic presence of God to work in our gatherings, that should be accompanied by experienced prophets and prophetesses, which is equivalent to the covering of the ‘fountain gate’ or also the ‘gate of the eye’, protection is guaranteed (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:29).
1 Corinthians 14:29:
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others [Note: prophets] should weigh carefully what is said.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others [Note: prophets] should weigh carefully what is said.
It is especially advisable in times like these to practice spiritual hospitality toward those in the ecclesia who are ministering in the office of the prophet. This results in spiritual overview, fruit and freshness, which leads to spiritual revival and contributes to protection due to new orientation (cf. Matthew 10:41).
Matthew 10:41:
41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
The Boundary within the Construction Section of the Fountain Gate and the Glory of God
Since God has assigned boundaries to everyone among His people that must be respected, a revelatory reference is hidden in the construction section of the ‘fountain gate’ with its boundaries, which is described as ‘as far as the steps going down from the City of David.’
This boundary was connected to ‘the wall of the pool of Siloam/Siloah, by the King’s Garden.’
The name of the pool ‘Siloam/Siloah’ means ‘sending out, sending of water, messenger.’
This boundary was connected to ‘the wall of the pool of Siloam/Siloah, by the King’s Garden.’
The name of the pool ‘Siloam/Siloah’ means ‘sending out, sending of water, messenger.’
Siloah was the pool where Jesus spat on the ground towards the man who was blind from birth and made a paste with His saliva, which He put on the blind man’s eyes and then told him to wash in the pool. After the blind man followed Jesus’ instructions, he was healed and was able to see (cf. John 9:6-7).
John 9:6-7:
6 After saying this, he spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.
7 ‘Go,’ he told him, ‘wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (this word means ‘Sent’). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
6 After saying this, he spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.
7 ‘Go,’ he told him, ‘wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (this word means ‘Sent’). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
In addition, the pond ‘Siloam/Siloah’ is associated with ‘Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles.’ This biblical feast celebrates the glory of God and its increase.
=> Every year at Sukkot/the Feast of Tabernacles, the high priest performed a prophetic act.
He took water from the pool ‘Siloam/Siloah’ and brought it up to the temple to pour it out next to the altar.
He took water from the pool ‘Siloam/Siloah’ and brought it up to the temple to pour it out next to the altar.
This symbolized the call to God for the latter and former rain to fall on the land. The latter rain implies rainfall at the end of the rainy season, around March/April and is important for the development of the grains of the winter cereals. The former rain is usually in late October or early November, at the beginning of the rainy season, which lasts about six months, necessary for new sowing after the dry season of summer.
In this context, this act reveals to us the call to God to send His ‘spiritual rain’ in the present time, which is the outpouring of His Spirit that the prophet Joel prophesied about (cf. Joel 2:28-29).
Joel 2:28-29:
28 ‘And afterwards, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. …’
28 ‘And afterwards, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. …’
The outpouring by the priest was carried out every day during the days of the Feast of Tabernacles.
On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, which was the great feast day, a large crowd accompanied the high priest during the prophetic act when he brought the water from the pool ‘Siloam/Siloah’ to the temple. The large crowd thus became a witness to the great outpouring.
And it was precisely at this point that Jesus stood in the place and spoke of the living water:
‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ John 7:37-38 <= (Note: The text set in ‘=>’ is based on a teaching from Robert Heidler – GZI to the feast of Sukkot.)
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ John 7:37-38 <= (Note: The text set in ‘=>’ is based on a teaching from Robert Heidler – GZI to the feast of Sukkot.)
Based on this and the previous boundary within the construction phase of the fountain gate as mentioned, it reveals that it is God’s desire to touch us with His prophetic spirit. The result of this touch with revelation is that we go on our way with Christ Jesus with enlightened eyes of the heart, while the Lord releases a spiritual freshness (cf. Ephesians 1:17-18).
Ephesians 1:17-18:
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, …
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, …
The Descending Angels and the Disciple Nathanael
This spiritual freshness is brought to us by angels (Note: winds) who descend upon Jesus Christ as the Son of Man (cf. John 1:51 i.c.w. Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:7).
John 1:51:
51 He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you [Note: Nathanael with the respective people], you will see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on” the Son of Man.’
51 He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you [Note: Nathanael with the respective people], you will see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on” the Son of Man.’
Psalm 104:4:
4 He makes winds his messengers [Note: angels], flames of fire his servants.
4 He makes winds his messengers [Note: angels], flames of fire his servants.
Hebrews 1:7:
7 In speaking of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.’
7 In speaking of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.’
The descending angels carry dynamic revelations from the LORD, which are delivered to us through mature prophets/prophetesses, among others, who have a spiritual understanding about ‘Israel’. For it was the disciple Nathanael who was under ‘the shadow’ of the fig tree.
John 1:48:
48 ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.’
48 ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.’
The fig tree is a representation of the people of Israel and is one of the most important fruit trees in Israel. It is no coincidence that the fig tree is indirectly mentioned by name in the creation account (cf. Genesis 3:7-8).
Genesis 3:7-8:
7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realised that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realised that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
From the location of Nathanael under the fig tree, it is shown that he functioned in a position of spiritual authority and had a spiritual understanding of the position of Israel as well as its capital, Jerusalem similar like the judge and prophetess Deborah (cf. Judges 4:4-5).
Judges 4:4-5:
4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading [Note: judging] Israel at that time.
5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.
4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading [Note: judging] Israel at that time.
5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.
Nathanael also had a territorial understanding of the position of regions or cities in the spiritual realm of Israel. This is very clear by his statement to Philip, who let him know that nothing good could normally be expected from Nazareth because the inhabitants of the city had little faith in the Messiah, which was later confirmed (cf. John 1:45-46 i.c.w. Matthew 13:58).
John 1:45-46:
45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’
46 ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked. ‘Come and see,’ said Philip.
Matthew 13:58:
58 And he [Note: Jesus] did not do many miracles there [Note: in Nazareth] because of their lack of faith.
58 And he [Note: Jesus] did not do many miracles there [Note: in Nazareth] because of their lack of faith.
Nathanael had a humble, sincere heart and, despite his knowledge of Nazareth, was willing to submit to the instruction of the revelatory truth that Philip brought him, so that Nathanael left his place under the fig tree and entered into the presence of the Son of God (cf. John 1:47-48).
John 1:47-48:
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’
48 ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.’
It was therefore no coincidence that Jesus mentioned the fig tree to Nathanael in the context of calling him a true Israelite because, as already described, the fig tree is a symbol of the people of Israel.
Because of the spoken word of knowledge through Jesus, Nathanael perceived the authority of Jesus Christ in the spirit realm. It indicates to us how crucial his understanding was in recognizing Jesus as Rabbi as perfect authority in the Word of God, Son of God as perfect authority in true relationship with God the Father and King of Israel as perfect governing authority (cf. John 1:49).
John 1:49:
49 Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’
The heart attitude of the disciple Nathanael and the descent of the angels lead us as the people of God deeper into the knowledge of God’s dominion, which is based on His love, i.e. the first love, and is accompanied by the presence of His glory (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 i.c.w. 1 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
1 Corinthians 13:1-2:
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 2:7:
7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
2 Corinthians 3:18:
18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
=> It is the mouth of the prophets that serves as an opening for the word sent forth by God to prophesy His plan to men.
When the prophecies sent forth by God are in transition from the invisible world to the visible world, the prophets serve as so-called conveyors of the eternal and spiritual things of heaven, destined for this world and carried on the wind of the Spirit (Note: Holy Spirit and God’s angels).
All of this is initiated and created through prophecy. This process is undergirded by the truth that Jesus Christ is the Word of God and His testimony is the Spirit of prophecy (cf. John 1:14; Revelation 19:10e). <= (Note: The text set in ‘=>’ is based on an explanation from the ‘Prophet’s Dictionary’ by Paula A. Price, Ph. D.; page 386, 387).
In this context, the significance of the covering of the fountain gate is revealed to us. Namely, that prophecy works on the basis of the truth of the Word of God and is released through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Peter 1:19-21).
2 Peter 1:19-21:
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.
21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.
21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
When we live in the mutual dynamic of the Word of God and prophecy, it leads us to grow together as the people of God in spiritual unity resulting from the understanding of the tribes of Israel, in mutual respect in Christ, who is the door, and thereby being aware of our positions within the ecclesia.
For it is the tribes of Israel who will become pearl gates in the bride or wife of the Lamb [Note: structure of first love], which is a glorious city. Over each pearl gate is placed an assigned angel to the tribe (cf. Revelation 21:9-12).
Revelation 21:9-12:
9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.
9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.
It is the spiritual walk of the ecclesia in this biblical order that helps to activate the prophetic power of God and correct the false prophetic influence in our day (cf. Numbers 24:1-2).
Numbers 24:1-2:
1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face towards the wilderness.
2 When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him …
1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face towards the wilderness.
2 When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him …
We as ecclesi might continue to reach out for this true and biblical understanding, which confronts Greek thinking and influences of religious legalism and leads to a right orientation in these days.
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
