Gates are entrance points to the city, for both good and evil. In biblical times, the leaders of a city sat in the gates and performed a variety of functions. They heard cases of dispute and made rulings. They determined the citizenship of those who desired to take up residence. They would oversee the basic operations of the city. They were the ekklesia of the city.
We find Lot at the city gates in the first mention of the gates in the Bible.
Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he stood up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.
Genesis 19:1
Concerning the community, the Law of Moses established the gates as the place the elders would hear a matter and make a judgment.
“If any person has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father or his mother, and when they discipline him, he does not listen to them, then his father and mother shall seize him, and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gateway of his hometown.
Deuteronomy 21:18-19
Concerning the legal matters of his marriage to Ruth, Boaz went to the Gates of Bethlehem to meet with the elders of the city.
Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the redeemer of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Come over here, friend, sit down here.” And he came over and sat down. Then he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.
Ruth 4:1-2
The possession of the gates of a city showed who ruled the city, or after battle, who conquered the city.
Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, 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.
Genesis 22:15-17
The possession of the gates of a city is the job of the Ekklesia in that city as we are to occupy until the Lord returns. This is clearly laid out in The Parable of the Ten Minas. The business of the Lord is to be conducted by the disciples while He is gone. We are to take possession of the gates to the city.
There are physical and spiritual components to this. In the physical, perhaps it is the role of mayor, city council, or judge that needs to be taken on by the disciples of Christ. This would be a good thing providing they do not succumb to corruption and the ways of the world in their decision making. While this may be better than the alternative, without the control of the spiritual gates, running the city in a godly manner would be extremely difficult.
Controlling the spiritual gates includes a form of spiritual warfare, and thus requires caution and planning. A spiritual battle is very real and casualties can occur. When engaging in this level of activity, one must be sure of the call to do so. This is not a spectator sport. The first step is the obvious step; seek the Lord and clarify whether or not this is the battle He would have you engage in for the Kingdom of God.
The Person of Passion who acts on the call to take the gates of the city must caution those who join the battle and have them be sure they are called to do so. A call to engage in the battle ought to be obeyed. Likewise, a warning to not engage ought also be heeded. The one who hears neither should not participate beyond working with the planning and covering others with intercessory prayer. The role of the intercessor is every bit as important in the battle as that of one in the line of fire.
In the battle of this level of spiritual warfare, one must be able to walk in the complete faith that this is where God would have them. This is not something to be joined by observers or curiosity seekers. This is a serious matter. Do not overstep your faith, but do not shrink from the call of God. One’s faith will grow when walking in obedience in love.
A good book to bring out the nature of engaging in spiritual warfare in a safe manner is Needless Casualties of War, by John Paul Jackson. Paperback copies can be found online for around $5.00. I recommend this book for all who have interest in this topic.
Another caution when taking part in spiritual warfare is to take care determining with whom you will discuss your activities. There is a wide range of reactions, from people that have no understanding to those who are outright against it and will make accusations of participation in witchcraft, etc. Much of this activity is carried on behind the scenes where it is less impacted by the negative influences of others. Be sure to know, however, that the enemy will be aware that something is taking place. People will likely be triggered and the ugliness of evil will be manifested through others. This is not to say one should be working in a secret society, rather, one should operate with wisdom.
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; to give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: she crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
Proverbs 1:1-5, 20-21
Explore the following items that were dealt with in our city concerning the spiritual gates.