KINGDOM GATEKEEPERS

© Morris Ruddick

There is an uncovering underway. An uncovering and unveiling of gateways that heretofore have been hidden or otherwise shrouded. Gateways that will provide passage into a new dimension in the operation of God's Kingdom. Gateways serving in the release of God's throne-room initiatives for this era. Gateways accessing the world's systems.

While there is a need to recognize and understand the function of these gates; it is the emerging role and calling of an unusual group of gatekeepers that needs to be clearly discerned, as the Lord releases them into their pivotal functions. While gates are a means of access and a means to control access, the gatekeepers are those entrusted with the keys.

In Matthew 16:19 Jesus said "I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of God. Whatever you lock on earth will be locked in heaven, and whatever you open on earth will be opened in heaven." The gates of Hell will not prevail against the gatekeepers entrusted with the keys.

Gatekeepers are entrusted ones. They are mature, seasoned servants of the Lord. Sold out to the Spirit of Truth. Like Samuel, none of their words fall to the ground. Like King David, they are men and women after God's own heart. They are warriors who flow in His presence and hear His voice with great clarity. Their obedience is such that they will be among those described in Revelations as loving not their own lives unto death. Their eye is single, with their hearts fixed on the Lord's agendas. They have been tested by fire. From a human stance, they are broken; but spiritually they are as fortified walls of bronze. They are steadfast, stable and utterly reliable. They serve and support with dependability those they are called to stand along side. Their prophetic giftings and insights are always balanced with wisdom and compassion. They operate with a razor-sharp discernment that sees deeply into situations and people. They are men and women of God entrusted with great authority, who are decisive and know what to do in the functions they serve.

Since the time that the Lord spoke to Peter and entrusted him with the keys to build the Church, there have been gates and gatekeepers. But what is emerging in our era are significant, heretofore unseen, untapped, strategic-level gates; and a chosen group of trusted, proven gatekeepers. Gates and gatekeepers commensurate with the day of His power we are entering. Gates and gatekeepers aligned for the Throne-room agendas they will serve. Gates advancing God's Kingdom. Gatekeepers operating with a Kingdom perspective.

Let's give keen focus to interceding:

* For the activation and mobilization of today's Kingdom gatekeepers.

* For the wisdom for these gatekeepers to understand and operate within the boundaries of their individual spheres of authority.

* For the balance and understanding required between the operation of individual versus corporate gatekeeper initiatives.

* For an unmasking of the enemy's gateway diversion strategies; and an exposure of the counterfeit gatekeepers and those operating outside their spheres of authority whose activities serve to distract and undermine the work of the genuine gatekeepers.

* For an uncovering, unveiling and identification of the enemy-held gateways and strongholds whose acquisition will serve to undergird God's throne-room agendas for this day.

* For a release of greater spiritual authority for those serving as the gatekeepers guarding Kingdom strongholds, as well as those penetrating enemy-held seats of power and strongholds.

* For discernment and wisdom to implement the strategies required for guarding and controlling access at the gates; repossessing the gates and seats of power usurped by the enemy; operating the Kingdom keys; and advancing the Kingdom.

* For divinely orchestrated alignment, coordination, clarity of purpose, and operational precision among the Kingdom gatekeepers entrusted with the keys.

* For the mobilizing of an impenetrable prayer shield around today's Kingdom gatekeepers and for a release of God's miracle-working power and new levels of angelic support to intervene on behalf of those serving as Kingdom gatekeepers.

KINGDOM GATEKEEPERS AND SPHERES OF AUTHORITY

Gatekeepers wield authority. Gates are places of authority. The gatekeeper --- the one entrusted with the keys --- has an authority that will not be challenged or held back by what the scripture refers to as "the gates of hell." The Amplified Version (Matthew 16) spells it out this way: "the powers of the infernal region shall not overpower it --- or be strong to its detriment, or hold out against it."

There are different types of gatekeepers with different levels of authority. The boundaries of individual authority levels need to be recognized and approached with care. 2 Corinthians 10:13 speaks of the sphere of authority we've been appointed to. Genuine gatekeepers understand and operate within the boundaries of their individual appointed spheres. This understanding is no minor thing. Jude 1 speaks of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them, but left the place where they belonged --- and now await in outer darkness for their judgment.

The individual sphere of authority is enlarged and greatly enhanced by the corporate sphere. We need to be connected and flowing in our corporate spheres, as we simultaneously and in concert operate within our individual spheres. This is especially significant in the functions served by a uniquely-called group best described as today's Kingdom gatekeepers.

Kingdom gatekeepers serve a role that extends beyond the traditional operation of today's Church. Kingdom gatekeepers operate within the heart of the marketplace --- in business, government, technology, communications and the media --- in spheres of influence normally accepted as the enemy's camp. But allowing these spheres to be remain under the enemy's control has never been God's intention.

Today's Kingdom gatekeepers frequently will be found working in conjunction with Kingdom pioneers --- those serving to pave the way for new agendas the Lord is releasing. Those penetrating the marketplace systems of this world and restoring that which has been stolen to God's Kingdom.

But there are some strategic-level gatekeepers who will serve as both pioneers and gatekeepers. Joseph was a pioneer-gatekeeper extraodinaire, who opened the way --- and then stood at the gates --- and then administrated the resources and power held by Egypt in the furtherance of God's purposes for His people.

There's a balance required between the individual versus the corporate role of Kingdom gatekeepers. There are those who get labeled as "loose cannons" despite what might reflect some unusual anointings. These are misguided believers who operate independently and out of context to the timing of, or simply miss what the Spirit of the Lord is doing. Loose cannons should not be confused with the independence required of pioneer-gatekeepers who pave the way for new agendas. There are also those who operate in context, but because of the focus of their personal agendas, they create distortions and misdirection for God's agendas. On the other hand, there are those whose corporate conformance is such that they miss the essentials associated with their own callings.

The gatekeeper called to the strategic levels of this era will operate strongly in their individual sphere, while simultaneously being in sync with the flow of what the Lord is doing in the corporate sphere of their calling. The corporate calling is not an organizational thing, so much as the recognition of what the Lord is doing on a broad scale, concurrently across and within many different groups.

The flow of the corporate gatekeeper functions will not diffuse the role of the individual gatekeeper, but instead will direct, strengthen, and provide needed context to enable the Spirit of the Lord to orchestrate His agendas in fullness.

The Body is indeed coming together in unity. As it does, there will be a diffusion of the enemy's webs of distraction-tactics targeting Kingdom gatekeepers. Infiltrators, counterfeits, phonies, the self-serving and those otherwise operating under delusions of grandeur are being exposed and removed. The Body is rapidly transitioning into an offensive posture and gaining strength, as the Lord releases the strategies to possess the gates of the enemy and advance His Kingdom.

Understanding the sphere and level of authority, and the corporate context is crucial to operating so that the gates of Hell will not prevail against those entrusted with the keys.

IDENTIFYING ENEMY AND WORLD SYSTEM GATEWAYS

Heretofore, when God's people have come within proximity of the enemy's gates, the result would be a flurry of smokescreens, entanglements, distractions and diversions. Unfortunately, there's been a preoccupation with battling the enemy's gatekeepers, while too often missing the gates. But as the Body approaches increasingly higher levels of unity and relationally, their knowledge of the Lord --- the masking of the enemy-guarded gates is being dispersed. We have entered an era that will be marked with God's people identifying and penetrating the gates accessing marketplace systems and resources.

With the penetration of the enemy-guarded gates will come greater fortification of the gates to the Kingdom; as well as the role of the Kingdom gatekeepers.

The Josephs and Daniels of our day are gatekeepers whose callings are in the heart of what we refer to as the world's systems. Business, government, technology, communications and the media. These areas are the means of access --- the gateways into the resources and seats of power of this world. Resources and power that will be used to extend God's love to the hungry, afflicted and oppressed. Resources and power that are being restored and redirected for Kingdom purposes as we approach the final harvest. Restored through entrusted Kingdom gatekeepers.

The world's system as it now exists, is a mere shadow and perversion of God's plans and intentions formed long ago for His people. Scripture clearly indicates that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. It is the Lord Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Individual gatekeepers called by God have periodically gained access in the past into the arena encompassed by what rightfully belongs to God --- into the resources and seats of power of this world. But it's been sporadic, and the exception. We are now entering an era whereby companies of Kingdom gatekeepers will operate in concert to open gates into seats of power previously deemed beyond the scope of the possible for the people of God.

STRATEGIC ALLIANCES, AUTHORITY AND DOMINION

It also needs to be recognized that the Lord appoints gatekeepers from not only among His people, but from persons of the world in positions of authority, who He knows will be unwavering in the accomplishment of His purposes.

Cyrus was a non-believing King, who the Lord used mightily in opening gateways for His people: Isaiah 45 outlines what the Lord has to say about Cyrus: "Cyrus, His anointed one, whose right hand He will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never again to shut against him. This is what the LORD says: "I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, am the God of Israel. For Jacob My servant's sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me." Cyrus was a gatekeeper into the world's resources and seats of authority needed to bring about restoration and empowerment for God's people.

What is significant about the Cyruses is that they will have a recognition of genuine dominion and will not hesitate to use their authority to realign dominions as they should be.

GATEWAYS TO SEATS OF POWER AND STRONGHOLDS

Gates traditionally have served as a place where people in authority gather within fortresses, cities, dwellings for refuge and business, and appointed places of worship. Cities and dwellings for refuge and business: places of authority and rule. Places where decisions and judgment occur. Places for in-gatherings of those with common purposes and political unity. These are the foundations for empires. They are seats of power.

The marketplaces of today's world are seats of power. Cities contain the pulse of these marketplaces. It is through the marketplace mechanisms --- business, technology. communications, media --- that lives are influenced and impacted for eternity. The marketplace provides gateways into the seats of power that control the destinies of millions and millions of souls. Their dominion and rule determines whether they are used for good or for evil. It was at the city of Babel that the Lord undermined the purposes of those building this dominion, by confusing their language. Revelation 17 speaks of the great city that rules over the kings of the earth. But it was Joseph, as administrator over Egypt, who reached out to the hungry and afflicted, while averting disaster and caring for God's covenant people.

Gates are not only a means of control and access, they provide protection and a place of observation. II Samuel 18 speaks of the chambers over the gates. The chambers over the gates provide a place of safety for those in authority with a view of distant things approaching.

Gatekeepers guard and provide access to strongholds. There is a mind-set within the Body that tends to view strongholds as only something that the enemy has. That is a deception. The dictionary defines "stronghold" as 1. A fortified place or a fortress. 2.a. A place of survival or refuge. b. An area dominated or occupied by a special group or distinguished by a special quality: a stronghold of democracy. The Body indeed has fortified places that are as headquarter centers, where warriors are trained, replenished and sent out. The Body also has safe places and places of refuge --- that are closer to the battle lines and are not obvious to the enemy; that its warriors can enter while on assignment.

STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS OF GATEWAYS AND GATEKEEPERS

We need some fresh mind-sets that will give us greater clarity in defining the strongholds we are penetrating and taking dominion of. A stronghold is something worth conquering. We need to view strongholds as seats of power, with the potential to serve the Lord's purposes, once they are conquered.

The Body has far too long confused enemy strongholds with enemy gatekeepers. We have too frequently become enmeshed with enemy gatekeepers without taking dominion of and sometimes not even clearly identifying the stronghold. A stronghold is a place, an area, or a particular group of people, or a distinguishing quality that brings together a particular group of people. Mammon, for example, is a high-level gatekeeper trying to protect a stronghold.

The enemy loves attention. If he can keep us focused on doing battle with his gatekeepers, we will never conquer the strongholds. And no doubt there will be battles as the Kingdom of God advances and the violent take it by force. But there are also times, when the enemy's gatekeepers can simply be bypassed, by Kingdom gatekeepers --- because they hold the keys. The keys with the authority to open the gates.

Bypass strategies will accelerate the accomplishment the Lord's purposes. We are in an era in which the Lord's actions will be marked by the word "suddenly." There will be instances in which demon gatekeepers will be bypassed as they are paralyzed with fear, simply because of the Presence of the Lord and the authority resident within the Kingdom gatekeeper. And there will be times when entrance into enemy-guarded strongholds will be made by means of alliances established with the Cyruses and Pharaohs of this era.

In summary, God's strongholds are places where His people partake. The enemy's strongholds are places God's people plunder and gain dominion.

God's gatekeepers guard and control entrance into His strongholds. God's gatekeepers also identify, open the gateways and provide access to gain dominion of enemy-held strongholds. Those entrusted with the keys will guard access to Kingdom strongholds; and unlock access to plunder enemy seats of power --- to bring restoration; what is needed in building the Kingdom; and to release God's initiatives for this hour.

And again, the Word tells us that the enemy cannot overpower; be strong to its detriment, or hold out against those with the keys --- those with gatekeeper authority operating within their sphere.

As the Lord brings His Body together, His dominion will penetrate and utilize the systems of this world for His purposes. As in the days of old; as in the days of Joseph and Daniel; the Lord Almighty, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is today sending forth His trusted Kingdom pioneers and gatekeepers. Kingdom pioneers and gatekeepers to work along side the Pharaohs and Cyruses and Dariuses of our day, to open the gates, execute judgment, restore dominion and bring forth His purposes and agendas for this hour.