GATES AND GATEKEEPERS
"And he set the gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the Lord, so that no one who was in any way unclean should enter." 2 Chronicles 23:19.
In ancient times, cities were often guarded from enemies by high, thick walls. Walls provided security and shield. So, gates were the only entrances and exits into the city.
The Bible speaks much about gates and gatekeepers. Heaven has gates. “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” Psalm 100:4. So does hell. "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18. The “gates of hell” mean the authorities of hell, which are not permitted to hinder the progress of God’s church.
God’s covenant with Abraham includes the promise that his seed “shall possess the gate of his enemies” Genesis 22:17. Meaning that his seed would gain a position of authority, prominence and power over the enemy. The gates of the ancient cities were kept opened during the day and closed at nightfall. Joshua 2:5.
Gates were places of battle. Judges 5:8. Victory or failure is decided at the gates. Gates were places of authority and decision making. Ruth 4:11. Prophets declared God’s Word at the gates. Jeremiah 17:19-20. Elders sit at the Gates. Proverbs 31:23.
WHAT ARE GATES?
A gate is an opening. It is not just an opening, but a legal access point. Access into a life, city, church, family, or nation is granted or denied at the gate. Its a place of entry or exit. A gate confine or shut up things from coming in or going out. A gate is a control point. Its a symbol of power and authority. A gate is a border, pathway, a boundary. A gate is an altar. Its a transit place. A gate is a meeting place.
Gates are portals.
"Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it." Genesis 28:12. A spiritual world exists just like the physical world but its invisible to the natural eyes. A portal is as an entry point into another realm or dimension. It's a connection between the natural and supernatural. The spiritual realm which the ordinary eyes cannot see includes the divine dimension and the demonic dimension.
TYPES OF GATES:
1. Personal gate:
Every person has a gate. Your mind, body, dream, and mouth are gates in which the enemy wants to use to come in to dominate, deceive and destroy.
2. Family gate:
You must guard against anything that threatens your family. Take a stand to lead your family to Christ. Be careful not to allow the enemy to dump trash into your family. There are many ways by which this trash can be dumped: television, social media, books, magazines, fashions, and attitudes, just to name a few. Know what is going on in your children’s lives. Supervise and guide them. Guard and lead them to Christ.
3. Church gate:
If the spiritual gates of the church are opened, fighting, prayerlessness, strife, and division will be common. You must also close the back doors of the church.
4. Community gate:
The light of the Gospel cannot shine brightly in a town or city if the enemy has captured the gates. Crimes, poverty, sickness, injustice, and violence are the other signs of enemy at the gate. So, we must take steps to possess the gates. Acts 16:16-25.
6. National gates:
A nation can be in serious trouble if certain gates are not open. 2 Kings 7:1-11. The enemies sounded the city of Samaria; the gates of the city were closed. The siege prevented the enemies from coming in, but it also brought famine, sickness and problem. So, for the gates to be opened, the enemies had to be dealt with. And when God intervened; the siege was lifted, problems ended and prosperity came to the city.
At every gate, there are gatekeepers. Gatekeepers are the people who monitor the gate, deciding who gets in, who has access to what or whom. God's looking for men and woman to take up positions at the gates. Gatekeepers that sees into the spiritual realm, observe what is happening, and lean forward to take prompt action when there's danger.
GATEKEEPERS AND WATCHMEN:
The watchmen and gatekeepers are very important in the security and prosperity of a home or city. Wherever you see the watchman, the gatekeeper is nearby. Gatekeepers need the eyes of the watchmen to rightly discern what to let in through the gates.
But there is a subtle difference between the watchman and gatekeeper. The watchman sees from a distance. The gatekeeper sees up close. The watchman's position is at the watchtower day and night. The gatekeeper's position is at the gate. The watchman weapon is the trumpet while the gatekeeper has weapons to attack the enemy and to defend the city. A gatekeeper must be quick to take action when danger arises.
DUTIES OF THE GATEKEEPERS:
1. Gatekeepers are the watchmen on the walls.
At times, gatekeeper and watchman are one position combined. Every gatekeeper must be alert and sensitive to rightly discern what to let in through the gates.
2. Gatekeepers are ministers of God.
They are trusted to protect the Temple. Gatekeepers defend the Gospel, the truth of the Word and protect the holiness of the Temple. They know the Scriptures well and are full of wisdom. Gatekeepers are bold to speak out against the sins of the church.
3. Gatekeepers are teachers.
They keep the Lord’s people on the right path, keeping them from drifting. A gatekeeper gently teaches and guides the people from taking wrong steps.
4. Gatekeepers are intercessors.
Intercession is advocacy. Intercession is warfare. Every individual needs prayer; family needs prayer; churches needs prayer; cities and nations needs prayer.
5. Gatekeepers are responsible to guard God's secrets.
There are secrets that God only shares with His trusted children. Amos 3:7. A gatekeeper knows how to keep his or her mouth closed when its necessary. They are the custodians of God's secrets and the secrets of the people.
6. Gatekeepers hold the keys to open or close gates. Matthew 16:19.
Elijah was a gatekeeper. James 5:17-18.
7. Gatekeepers keep watch for the Lord’s return. Mark 13:34.
8. The gatekeeper is a protector and defender.
QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A GATEKEEPER?
1. You must know God. Seek the leading of the Lord.
2. You must be clean. Nehemiah 13:22; Acts 24:16.
3. You must be trustworthy. 1 Chronicles 9:22.
4. You must be alert. A guard cannot go to sleep on duty.
5. You must be strong and courageous. 1 Chronicles 26:6-9; 1 Peter 5:8-9.
6. You must be wise. You need God’s wisdom as you watch over the gates.
7. Be ready to sacrifice your sleep and time gatekeeping.
8. Be disciplined. You must watch over what comes in and what goes out.
10. Have faith. James 5:15.
11. Addicted to praise and worship. Acts 16:25-26.
12. Be obedient. Deuteronomy 28:1. Deuteronomy 28:7. Deuteronomy 28:13.
13. Be a reader and doer of the Word. Matthew 4:4.
14. You must be ready to wait in the presence of God.
15. Be prayerful. James 5:17-18. Have a strategy of prayer to take over the gates from the enemy. i. Jericho warfare - inside and outside the church, home or city; ii. Street warfare - praying in the street of your home or community; iii. House to House warfare - praying from house to house; iv. Strategic warfare - praying at specific locations; v. Dedication warfare - anointing the land, ground for rededication to the Lord; vi. Community praise - joining together to lift up the banner of Jesus Christ.
“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30.
Are you willing to be a gatekeeper for your family, church, city or nation? Do so today. Have you committed? Then stand watch with added commitment today. There's a reward! Like Jonah, have you failed in your God's given assignment, due to one reason or the other? Repent and come back to God today. Its not too late.
"2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:2-4. 1 Peter 5:1-14.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Holy Spirit, revive my spiritual life, in Jesus name.
2. I receive the anointing to succeed in my ministry and calling, in Jesus name.
3. Father, give me the grace to stand in the gap, in Jesus name.
4.Thank You God for answering my prayers, in Jesus name.
