The Importance of Gates
We will be looking at the subject of opening the gates in the realm of the spirit. In the natural, gates are used for two primary purposes:
– To keep things or persons out by being closed.
– To let things or persons in by being open.
As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual.
A. From the Life of Abraham
Genesis 22:14-18 ...Indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.
1. Galatians 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ.
2. It is through Christ that you are blessed. The power of the blessing will flow to such an extent that the power of the blessing will overpower the curse.
3. Jesus is the Seed (singular) who possessed the "gates" of the enemy. We also are to possess what Christ has redeemed for us.
4. A "gate" is a portal, passageway, doorway, threshold, entrance, or opening. We are to possess, buy back, or take back those gates the enemy has stolen and open up – through the battering ram of Jesus' name – gates which have historically been closed.B. The Victor Has Overcome
Matthew 16:18 I also say to you that you are Peter, (stone) and upon this rock (petra) I (Jesus) will build My Church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. (See also Matthew 18; Revelation 1.)
1. We are called to possess the gates.
2. Jesus is the victor who has overcome.
3. Jesus has taken the keys of death and Hades away from the enemy.
4. We have been given the keys of the enemy.
5. Remember gates are to:a. Shut – To keep things in and keep things out.
b. Open – Allow things in and allow things out.6. Little keys open big doors.
7. Let's learn to put in the keys to set the captives free and for God's glory to be manifest.C. Gates of the Heavenly
Not only are there dark gates of the demonic worldly, but there are good gates of the Heavenly world – God's Kingdom. Through attitudes and actions of thanksgiving, sacrifice, and praise we can make entrance into our Lord's presence.Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
D. Jacob – And the Gate of Heaven
Genesis 28:10-17 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to Heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
There above it stood the Lord, and He said: "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it." He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of Heaven." (NIV)
1. Like in Jacob's time, our dry, hard, and rocky places can become places of visitation!
2. We need the "eyes of the Lord" to get proper spiritual understanding of the place we dwell in and to see the gates of Heaven.
3. When we do – everything around us changes. We see through God's redemption lens and see His purposes, plans, and destiny.E. A Psalm of David
Psalm 24:7-9 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. (NIV)
1. This is, first of all, a Messianic prophecy concerning the historic moment when the King of Glory (Jesus Christ) would have the "keys" and would be welcomed into Heaven.
2. In like manner, our prayer becomes, "Open the way for a great visitation!"
3. Let there be gateways opened from Heaven to earth for the power and the glory, and of His presence, and God's angelic army be released to come to our aid.F. The Apostle's Gate – Jesus Our Head Chief Apostle
Proverbs 31:23 Her husband is known (respected – NIV) in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
1. It is my conviction that city church government will take on new understandings of being Gatekeepers of His Presence.
2. Church and marketplace leaders who will know what to let in and what to forbid into a city will be recognized and work together.
3. John 10:7-9 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture (NIV).
4. Jesus will be honored as the Chief Gatekeeper in our midst and all other gatekeepers will honor and submit to His leadership.
G. How Do We Enter These Gates?
We enter through His gate through:
A. Praise
Isaiah 60:18b But you will call your walls salvation, and your gates praise.B. Worship
Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we receive a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable serve with reverence and awe.C. Sacrifice
Psalm 51:17 For the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.D. Thanksgiving
Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, give thanks to Him; bless His name.E. Unity
Psalm 133:1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!F. Spiritual death
Luke 14:27 Whosoever does not carry his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
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