I am continuing from 2 days ago - a study on being gatekeepers. All worship ministers need to walk in the ministry of a gatekeeper. We are intercessors on behalf of the people of God, and we are gatekeepers of God's presence.
There Are Three Gates In
Scripture
These gates are not necessarily
physical gates or a particular place of entry. They represent the spiritual
entrance to our cities, churches and the presence of our King.
1. City
Gates: Gen. 19:1; Ruth
4:1; Ps. 87:2; Ps. 122:2
2. Temple/Church
Gates: 2 Chr. 31:2; Ps.
100:4; Jer. 7:2
3. King’s
Gates: Esth. 2:19; Ps. 24:7; Dan. 2:49
Gatekeepers
were also watchmen upon the walls. (They were intercessors)
1. The city gatekeepers were to be loyal and trustworthy. They
were responsible for:
• The safety of the
city.
• To admit or refuse
entrance. (2 Ki. 7:10)
When Jerusalem fell to Babylon,
three gatekeepers were symbolically slain.
Jer. 29:7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be
carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will
have peace.
Jer. 29:7 And seek (inquire for, require, and request) the peace and welfare of the city to which I have
caused you to be carried away captive; and pray to the Lord for it, for in the welfare
of [the city in which you live] you will have welfare. (AMP)
Jer. 29:7 “Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s
welfare. “Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things
will go well for you.” (Message)
2. The Temple
Gatekeepers:
• Were to be from
the Tribe of Levi. (1 Chron. 9:26; 15:23; 23:5)
• Cared for the
temple. (2 Ki. 23:4)
• Watched temple
entrances. (1 Chron. 9:23-27; 2 Chron 23:19)
2Chr. 23:19 And he
set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none which was
unclean in any thing should enter in.
Helped perform service of purification.
(Neh. 12:25)
3. The King's
Gatekeepers (Es. 2:21; 6:2)
Prov. 8:34 Blessed
is the man that hears me, watching daily at my
gates, waiting at
the posts of my doors.
"hears" shâma (Strongs # 8085) To hear intelligently, give attention,
attentively call or gather together, consider, be content, declare, diligently
discern, give ear, make a noise, proclaim, publish, report, show forth, tell,
understand.
"watching" shâqad (Strongs #
8245) To be alert, fix attention to,
sleepless, to be on the look out (whether for good or ill), hasten, remain
awake, watch for, to guard the threshold.
"waiting" shâmar (Strongs
# 8104) To hedge about, to guard,
protect, attend to, to take heed of, to keep, save, lay wait for, watch for.
Worshipers - We are gatekeepers over our cities, churches and before the courts of the King. Just as the Queen has soldiers who guard her presence - so we stand in the gate of our King and watch. We have the privilege of listening to the sounds of heaven ad declaring what He is saying in all the earth. We also get to watch intently as He prepares layers of glory for His people and we are guardians of His presence day and night. This doesn't mean that the Lord is unable to defend Himself - it just means that we are those who watch over His presence as sons, His Bride, His friends and His servants. Part One: HERE
