From the East to the West

THE DREAM

The Lord has been highlighting the phrase ‘east wind’ to me lately. I’ve heard it a handful of times in scriptures this last week and each time it caught my attention. Most likely this is because back in June 2022, I had an interesting dream. I dreamt of a big electrical tower, like those really old ones in the dessert, and next to it, hovering in the sky, was a gleaming white angel. As I woke up, I heard a reference to a scripture ‘from the east to the west’, which led me to Matthew 24.

For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:27

I thought on that dream for a while trying to figure out the meaning however, I still feel I only partially understand it. In fact, when I feel the Lord is trying to show me something, usually it’s only bits and pieces of the big picture. I enjoy doing research because it helps me draw closer to God and deepens my understanding of His word. This process allows me to spend time with the Lord, talking to Him and asking Him to help me understand. But I do not profess to know it all. I still have a lot to learn. Thankfully, the Lord loves it when we continually seek Him.

It turns out there’s more to the phrase than I thought. East in Hebrew is mizrah (H4217), which literally means ‘the direction of the rising sun’. The phrase ‘east wind’ is qadim (H6921) in Hebrew and also refers to the rising sun.

FACING EAST

Interestingly, an article from the Ancient Hebrew Research Center indicated that the origin of all things come from the east. This article explained that as we in North America use north as the starting point for direction, the Hebrews use east and all other directions are oriented from this direction. We see the significance of east in the very beginnings of the Bible.

And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He put the man whom He had formed. Genesis 2:8

Additionally, in the ‘east’ was given as a sign in the sky from the Lord. The eastern star was a mark in time that Jesus had been born.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him. Matthew 2:1-2 (KJV)

An article from thetorah.com stated that in the ancient east, many homes were constructed to face the east as were many city gates with the intent to face the rising sun. Positioning homes and gates in this direction symbolized life and renewal. Additionally, the doorway of the ancient holy temple also faces east.

And I fell on my face. As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. Ezekiel 43:3-5

THE GOLDEN GATE

The eastern gate of the temple is also called the Golden Gate. During my research, I found that the old east gate of the temple is actually blocked with stone. According to gotquestions.org, this occurred around 1540 AD by the order of a sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Suleiman the Magnificent. The sultan believed this would prevent the Jewish Messiah from entering through the gate as prophesied. We, as Christians, understand the Messiah to be Jesus. As if a few stones, that the Lord has made, would prevent the ruler of the Universe to fulfill prophecy.

Additionally, a cemetery has been placed in front of the gate as well. Which may have been done on purpose since ancient custom is that a priest should not pass through a cemetery. However, there is also some confusion as to who the prince is in Ezekiel 44. We know that the enemy always tries to copy God. We should be alert to any imposter as Jesus warned us in the book of John.

I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. John 5:43

As we examine Ezekiel 44, we see the prophet was told that the eastern gate would be shut. As we discussed, this prophecy has actually happened.

Then he brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, which faces east. And it was shut. And the Lord said to me, “This gate shall remain shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it, for the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered by it. Therefore it shall remain shut. Only the prince may sit in it to eat bread before the Lord. He shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gate, and shall go out by the same way.” Ezekiel 44:1-3

Palm Sunday

Our Messiah, Jesus, passed through this area of the eastern gate during Palm Sunday (Passover week) as described in all four gospels – Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19 and John 12. Although, when Jesus passed through, it was a different gate that is probably buried underneath the current gate. This east gate is also directly across from the Mount of Olives, which is significant as I will describe after this side note about Moses. You see, the east wind can indicate the power of the Lord as we see in Exodus 14.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. Exodus 14:21

MOUNT OF OLIVES

What’s even more interesting about this passage is that the word for sea is actually the same word for west. The Hebrew word yām (H3220) actually means ‘west’ and we frequently see it used for the word ‘sea’ in the Old Testament.

The word ‘divided’ in the passage in Exodus 14, is the same word used in Zachariah 14, which also relates to this topic.

Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when He fights on a day of battle. On that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. Zechariah 14:3-4

Isn’t this so crazy? This is the Mount of Olives, directly across from the east gate where Jesus will enter the temple, again. The palm branches and excitement of Jesus initially entering the temple during Palm Sunday makes more sense to me now as it was a foreshadow of Jesus’ return.

And the crowds that went before Him and that followed Him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9

JUDGEMENT

Won’t that be a glorious day when the Lord returns? As we can see, the east wind can be an indication of judgment as well. After all, east is the direction of the Lord.

Though he may flourish among his brothers, the east wind, the wind of the Lord, shall come, rising from the wilderness, and his fountain shall dry up; his spring shall be parched; it shall strip his treasury of every precious thing. Hosea 13:15

Additionally, the Hebrew word ‘east’ can also mean forward. This relates to the fact that when you’re going from east to west you are moving in one direction continuously… forward. This could offer a deeper meaning to psalm 103, as a continual movement away from a particular thing.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11-12

CONCLUSION

There are so many connections. I have only grasped a few things from this research so far. I am still not sure what the electrical tower means. I could just be a simple reminder that the Lord is the one who has power. Or possibly it has to do with our rapid increase in technology that is moving toward advanced surveillance that has become a concern for many. But God is watching everyone. He has control over what they are doing.

I’m sure there is more to all this, however this is what I have concluded so far. First, the Bible is divine. Anyone who says otherwise has never truly studied it. Second, I believe that using the phrase east wind or east to west can often indicate something supernatural happening directly from the Lord. Third, it is another reminder that the Lord is holy and we should revere Him with awe and wonder. When we look and see the rising sun, every morning from the East, we should be reminded of God’s mighty wondrous works and that He’s coming back soon.

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 4:2-3

References:

https://www.ancient-hebrew.org/philosophy/east-time-eternity-the-universe-and-the-origin-of-all-things.htm – The East, Time, Eternity, The Universe and the Origin of All Things, by Richard Brown

What is the significance of the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem? – https://www.gotquestions.org/eastern-gate-Jerusalem.html – Got Questions

Houses Oriented Towards God in the East – https://www.thetorah.com/article/houses-oriented-towards-god-in-the-east – by Prof. Avraham (Avi) Faust

Holy Bible – ESV version, unless otherwise noted