House of Faith Ministries

but the name of that city had been Luz previously.”

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From the experience of Jacob that is recorded in the Scripture above, we can glean a tremendous amount of information in regards to the nature and function of spiritual portals, otherwise known as gates.

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Gates Have to be Revealed!

 

As soon as Jacob awoke from his dream, astonished by the presence of God that was there, his comment was, I did not know it. What he meant was that he had spent time in that place previous to going to sleep, and had it not been for the dream that revealed to him the significance of that place, in the natural, he would have never known that a spiritual portal existed right there in his encampment.

 

So that the first thing we learn from Jacob’s experience is that spiritual portals have to be revealed to us. We can be standing right next to one, and in the natural we would not have a clue that it is even there.

 

Gates are to be Respected!

 

Now the next paragraph in the story tells us why perhaps these gates are hidden out of our natural sight, He was afraid. In nature there are places that are common and places that are special. Places of special significance are set apart because of their beauty or maybe, their historical value, or something that makes them special. So that out of respect, these certain areas are protected from common use.

 

It is the same in the spiritual realm, wherever there is a spiritual portal, God attaches a special significance to that place, so that to those that are made aware of their existence, an awesome sense of fear and respect for that place arises within them instantly.

 

Gates are Awesome Places!

 

Jacob knew immediately after waking up that this place was no ordinary place, in astonishment he uttered this words, how awesome is this place. What made this place awesome to Jacob was that he found God’s presence there. We find this to be truth, that wherever there is a spiritual portal, the presence of God will be there in Spirit form.

 

Gates are Openings into the Spiritual Realm!

 

The physical and spiritual realm, though intertwined, are separated by walls that do not allow much interaction between the two, it is only through gate of heaven passages that such interaction is allowed to take place. 

 

Gates are to be Anointed!

 

These gates of heavenly passages are special, not only for their importance, rarity, awesomeness, as well as for the access that they afford us to the Spirit of God, but also for the anointing that flows from them; because through these open gates God’s anointing flows.

 

Jacob poured oil on top of it to signify that fact, for it was well known to our forefathers that it is the anointing that breaks the yoke.

 

Gates Have Names that Designate their Assignment!

 

As Jacob poured oil upon the rock that had been his pillow while having the dream, he called that place Bethel which means house of God, to designate that this was a gate that lead to God’s dwelling place, since he had witnessed God’s holy angels ascending and descending to the very throne of God.

 

Gates are a Place of Spiritual Enlightenment!

 

God’s anointing equates to God’s enlightenment, so that when an open gate is revealed, if those to whom the portal is revealed follow the proper protocol; I mean, they respect it, their in awe of their significance, they realized that a door has been opened for them to access the spiritual realm, they anoint it or make it special in their hearts. Then, their understanding will be opened to the nature (name) of that opening and they will be able to appropriate its functions.

 

But the name of that city had been Luz previously. Although Jacob called that place Bethel or the house of God, due to his personal experience there, that place had being previously named Luz which means light or enlightenment. So that gates may go by different names to those who have their own experience, yet the function of the gate will certainly be the same.

 

Acts 17:26-28 “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being...”

 

Gates are all Over the Earth!

 

Wherever men have settled on all the face of the earth, God has placed gates, and has determined their pre-appointed times, and according to His wisdom, He has set up the boundaries of their dwellings for the purpose of enticing men to seek the Lord, to seek His anointing, to seek His enlightenment, to grope for Him (if they have to, like a blind person would) and find Him, although He is never far from us.

 

What Happens if we Find a Gate?

 

Isaiah 28:6 “For a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.”

 

God’s enlightenment will always lead us to make the right decisions. In other words, the spirit of justice allows us to make the right judgments. The anointing on the other hand, enables us with the strength needed to turn back the spiritual battle at the source, before it gets near to us.

 

Isaiah 29:21 “Those who with a word make a man out to be guilty, who ensnare the defender in court (the gate) and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice.”

 

Where is it that Satan makes his accusations against us? Is it not before the heavenly court, which is just another name for gate or portal? Do we not have access to the same heavenly court with our very own advocate by our side, even Jesus? So here is a revelation, we just found an open gate, and is the name of Jesus that grants us access to God’s heavenly court, where we can silence our accusing enemy with the blood of Jesus and by the word of our testimony.

 

Amos 7:13 “But never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is the royal residence.”

 

Centuries later, at Bethel, a wicked king tried to silence one of God’s prophets from accessing the gate at the house of God. Read the response of the holy prophet.

 

Amos 7:12-17 “Then Amaziah said to Amos: ‘Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread, and there prophesy. But never again prophesy at Bethel, For it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is the royal residence.’ Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: ‘I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheep-breeder and a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me,’ ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’ Now therefore, hear the word of the LORD: you say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not spout against the house of Isaac.’ Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Your wife shall be a harlot in the city; your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; your land shall be divided by survey line; you shall die in a defiled land; and Israel shall surely be led away captive from his own land.’”

 

Is that the way to talk to a priest or what? Amos, being a true prophet of the Living God, was under the anointing and enlightenment of God, as such, he understood the severity of the charges against him, by no less than the priest of Bethel, the very man who sat at the spiritual gate of the city, who was trying hard to silence him. The priest of Bethel was in violation of God’s Word according to Isaiah: those who with a word make a man out to be guilty.

 

So that Amos rebuke and judgment against priest Amaziah was swift and harsh. I guess we can say that he nipped it on the bud, before it left the gate. Is it not what this lesson is all about? To silence the enemy and the avenger at the gate?

 

1 Corinthians 2:14-15 “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual (battles at the gate) judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.”

 

Glory to God, in Jesus mighty name we thank you Lord for awesome is Your name, and awesome is Your presence at the gate.