Strengthening:
Call to Rise:
In Biblical times, walls and gates were a city’s primary defense against enemy invasions. According to Dr. Michele Fleming, “The gates of the ancient cities [were]… massive gates made of stone, iron, brass, or wood frequently sheeted with metal. They were tall and wide. ‘The Beautiful Gate’ of Herod’s temple (Acts 3:2) was made of brass and required twenty men to close it. These gates were opened during the day to allow the citizens to come and go, but were generally closed and barred at night as a safety measure to keep out enemy attacks. Whoever controlled the gates of the stronghold ruled the city.” Scripture tells us that gates were also used in camps, homes, palaces and temples.
Depending on the location, gates sometimes took on additional significance or function. For example, the Horse Gate in Jerusalem was near the King’s stables and the place where Israeli warriors would ride their horses out in times of war. The Fountain Gate was near the pool of Siloah and used for cleaning before entering the temple.
Social Significance of Gates
In addition to their practical purposes, gates also had social and spiritual significance. Gates were seats of authority, where court was convened, proclamations made, civic decisions determined and important business transactions made. When the Bible speaks of “sitting in the gate”it is referencing a person taking part in these types of activities, typically signifying that the person “sitting in the gate” is a person of authority and influence (Genesis 19:1, Jeremiah 39:3, Proverbs 31:23)
Spiritual Significance of Gates
One of the promises that God gave to Abraham was that “your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies” (Genesis 22:17). In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declared that the gates of Hell would never prevail against the Church. Jesus was declaring that no authority or counsel of Satan would ever overcome God’s governing council on earth – the Church (Ekklesia).
Gates are entry points (protection) and places of influence (authority). The culture – and future – of a nation is shaped by the activities that happen at the gates, and whoever controls the gates will determine what happens there. Overall, the Ekklesia in America has abandoned our responsibility to have influence over the gates of government, education, business, media, congregations and even our own homes. It’s time to take back the gates that have been hijacked, and time to rebuild the gates that have been broken beyond recognition.
What does it mean to rebuild a gate?
To rebuild a gate is to influence it to reflect the will and character of Christ. It involves an intentional strategy to establish and expand Biblical truth in areas that are currently influenced more by spiritual darkness than they are by the Kingdom of Light.
Progress by Proximity
This information should give some fresh perspective on why Nehemiah’s quest to rebuild the wall was so significant. This week our scripture reading is the entirety of Chapter 3, in which we read an account of the various gates and wall sections that were rebuilt by the citizens of Jerusalem. As I read this portion of scripture, one of the chief things that stands out to me is that the people primarily repaired the walls and gates based on proximity. Proximity to their homes. Proximity to their occupations.
As we apply the lessons of Nehemiah to today’s American culture, I encourage you to consider which broken gates need rebuilding that are in proximity to your sphere of influence?
To determine areas that you could influence (“rebuild”) to be shaped by the will and ways of God, consider proximity to your:
- Physical Home
Is your neighborhood plagued by violence? Is your home near a place of significant social or civil activity? Are you near a territorial boundary or an important natural resource? Have you prayed for the salvation of your neighbors? Do you neighbors have needs you can help to address? Is your home a refuge for family, neighbors or friends of your children? All of these situations provide opportunity to build a gate that honors God in proximity to your physical home.
- Occupation
Do your co-workers know Jesus? Are they hungry for prayer or discipleship? Are you in a unique position to show the love of Christ to those you serve in your line of work? Does your occupation itself need reform? Has your industry declared itself divorced from God, and what would it look like if you brought Biblical values back into that arena?
- Talents, Skills and Calling
You are uniquely gifted with talents and abilities intended to be used in the service of God’s kingdom. Don’t limit your thinking to only ways that your talents can be used inside a church building! What needs exist in our culture that your talents and skills could address? How could you use your natural abilities to establish the authority of God in your community? How can your talents be used to convey to others that Jesus loves them?
- Family History
Even a cursory review of scripture reveals that bloodlines and heritage are very important to God. The subject of bloodlines and their spiritual significance is far too deep for this simple post, and furthermore, not something I could even pretend to understand fully. For want of a more in-depth discussion, consider these basic principles when searching for gates in proximity to your family history:
Generational Iniquity & Generational Blessings
“‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Deuteronomy 5:8-10)
The Bible mentions multiple times that God “visits” the iniquity (wickedness or gross injustice) of fathers on their children up to the third and fourth generation. Biblical truth, experience and social science all show us the reality that the vices, wounds and sins of parents can have a profound impact on children that seems to perpetuate from generation to generation. Is there iniquity or a trend of brokenness in your family line that amounts to a broken gate in your life, family or home?
If so, know that you are not without hope! Scripture provides support for the concept that we can be freed from this burden if we confess and repent of both our own iniquity and the iniquity of our fathers (Leviticus 26:39-42).
What’s more, the Bible also states multiple times that God loves to bless those who love and obey him, up to a thousand generations (Exodus 34:6-7). Has anyone in your lineage over the last thousand generations loved and obeyed God? Don’t discount His promise to show you steadfast love on account of the obedience of your forefathers!
What generational blessings are promised to you in scripture, and how can you use those blessings to rebuild gates? What generational blessings can you expect based on the lives of your parents, grandparents or ancestors?
Inheritance, Ownership & Authority
If you own the family car, you have authority to tell your teenager when they can and can’t borrow it. When you own a home, you have authority to determine who may and may not enter that home. When you pass away, if you leave the family car and home to your child, s/he will now be the owner and that inheritance will confer the same authority you once possessed on to the next generation.
Just as you can confess and repent from the effect of generational iniquity, you can also inherit influence and authority from the works of your ancestors. Think of this as passing the torch…you can continue the good work that was started in your family line, or repent of the evil works they began and ensure the torch drops here. There are areas of influence tied to your family history that may give you unique spiritual authority to heal long-standing wounds or claim promises that have been long since forgotten.
Consider the story of Matt Lockett and Will Ford, close friends who later learned that one’s ancestors owned the other’s as slaves in early America. They now travel the nation together with a message of racial reconciliation.
What good works did your grandmother pour herself into that you could continue? What did your ancestors do that could inform your inheritance to act today?
It’s time to rebuild the gates
After months of spiritual, social and practical preparation, Nehemiah has finally gotten to the meat-and-potatoes of his assignment: The wall is being rebuilt! In a similar way, everything we’ve learned and done so far in the Rise & Build Campaign has led to this – it’s time to identify and rebuild the broken gates that are in proximity to your sphere of influence. God is both able and willing to show you the gate on which He’d like you to focus. He is able and willing to equip you to rebuild it with supernatural success. God chose to plant you here and now for such a time as this. I know you can sense the destiny that surrounds this season of our nation. You are part of that destiny, on purpose.
It’s time to rebuild the gates.
Prayer:
Father, show me the gates in proximity to my life and location. Please give me Your strategies for transferring the influence, authority and activities of those gates from darkness to Your marvelous light. May You be glorified in the gates of my heart, my home, my neighborhood, city, state and nation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Build Assignment:
- Make a list of gates (areas of authority, influence, or social importance) that are in proximity to your home, occupation, family history and/or talents & skills?
- Ask God to reveal which gate he’d like you to focus on rebuilding.
Consider re-reading Campaign 6 | What My God Put in My Heart for advice on discerning God’s assignment for you in this season. Also consider discussing this with the other members of your household. - Write down the next steps you’ll take to influence that gate.