Catherine Brown: Cross-Pollination Vision
THE LORD HOLDS THE WORLD IN HIS HANDS
During a time of prayer, I had a vision in which I saw the Lord Jesus holding a small globe in His hands. As the Lord held the world in His hands, the central axis of the earth opened up, forming two equal halves, and swarms of bees emerged from the centre. Fascinated by what I had just witnessed, I continued to watch the activity of the bees. Half the bees worked on the fields on one side of the axis, whilst the other half worked on the fields on the opposite side.
CROSS-POLLINATE
After spending some time observing the bees working, the Lord gave this instruction: "Cross-pollinate!" In response, the bees began to cross over into other fields. They continued their work of pollination, but this time, they were in different fields and on the other side of the axis of the world from which they had originally been working.
IT IS GOOD
Jesus smiled. He surveyed the work and crossed His arms; still smiling, the Lord said, "It is good." I noticed that the blooms, which were produced as a result of the cross-pollination, were extraordinarily beautiful and unusual in their shape, color, and form. Their fragrance was breathtaking. Isn't it lovely when God engages our senses in a spiritual experience with Him?
SPIRITUAL APPLICATION: MULTIPLY!
To cross-pollinate is to bring two elements (pollen and a flower or plant) together, in order to reproduce a new bloom or fruit. The bee is the means through which the Lord creates these new blooms. The vision speaks of increased fruitfulness in the body of Christ, brought about through the formation of new and unusual alliances inspired by the Holy Spirit. The cross-pollination vision indicates multiplication in the body of Christ as Holy Spirit strengthens existing Godly alliances and brings into being, new and unusual gatekeeper relationships. This will result in a powerful, spiritual shift in the nations to the glory of God, as we learn to co-labor together in innovative and exciting ways.
KINGDOM ALIGNMENT
Ultimately, God's intention is to give His ambassadors access to "gates" of nations to change and affect their destiny and bring them into Kingdom alignment. As Holy Spirit directs the cross-pollination of ministries, giftings, and callings, God will bring us together in unity, love, and servant hood so that He can pour out His Kingdom agendas on the earth, producing fruit to the glory of His name. Unity is God's strategy, and dominion is His goal.Spiritual cross-pollination will result in Kingdom deposits of wisdom, revelation, gifting, and authority being produced and distributed (and/or re-distributed) in different places or in a different manner than we may presently be accustomed to. God may ask us to go to a new place or to new people, either temporarily or permanently, as His ambassadors. He may simply ask us to go and serve another who is laboring in the harvest field. The vision and call to cross-pollinate speak of multiplication of blessing and multiplication of our effectiveness as Christians here on the earth. It is time for the Kingdom to come with great power and signs and wonders. It is a time to love in Christ's agape, and in this way, the multitudes will be won for Jesus.
GATEKEEPERS OF GOD'S PRESENCE
As worshippers, we are all gatekeepers of God's presence. We each have a place where we have been assigned to co-labor with Holy Spirit and each other. We have each been gifted in God's grace with His commission, with His commandments, and with Holy Spirit's gifts and callings. Some are called to be servant-leaders within the five-fold ministry. All are called to be lovers of Jesus and to prefer one another in love.
GATEKEEPERS HAVE INDIVIDUAL SPHERES OF INFLUENCE
In order for the fullness of these new Godly alliances to take place, we must be robed in humility and be willing to be servants of love. Without this virtue, the bride will be ineffective in her ability to communicate, collaborate, and cooperate with Holy Spirit and each other in the dynamic of spiritual cross-pollination.
To the church in Corinth, Paul said this:
"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond our proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you." -- 2 Corinthians 10:12-13
Paul exhorts us not to boast in our works, but to be humble and Christ-like. Paul loved to glorify Jesus and confined his "boasting" to be about our glorious Savior: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord," (2 Corinthians 10:17). Paul explains that we are each assigned a field in which we labor for God's glory, indicating that there are individual spheres of authority within which we operate. As Kingdom gatekeepers, we are each assigned a particular sphere or area within which we may exert a Godly influence and operate in Christ's authority and compassion. One of the first places we operate as gatekeepers is within our family units.
IDENTIFY AND RECOGNIZE OTHER GATEKEEPERS AND THEIR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
"We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. Neither do we go beyond our limited by boasting of work done by others." -- 2 Corinthians 10:14-15
Paul recognized that others labored for Jesus, and [he] was happy to commend them for their ministry of the Gospel. We must recognize that there are others who labor and witness effectively for Jesus. Once we understand our calling as gatekeepers, and recognize others in their particular sphere of influence as gatekeepers, we can begin to enter into Kingdom alliances that form a corporate expression in this arena. Gatekeepers have spheres of authority in which they operate; the individual gatekeeper has an appointed sphere of authority. This is greatly enhanced when gatekeepers gather together and form a corporate Kingdom expression of gatekeeper authority, wisdom, and revelation.
EXPONENTIAL INCREASE IN CORPORATE GATEKEEPER ANOINTING
"Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you." -- 2 Corinthians 10:15b-16
There is the potential for an exponential increase of Jesus' Kingdom when individual gatekeepers form divinely inspired alliances. This may be described as a corporate gatekeeper anointing. We are not called to operate in isolation, since the overall work of the Gospel is enhanced with cooperation, mutuality, and preferring one another in love, which leads to Kingdom increase and multiplication.
WHAT IS A GATEKEEPER?
"But the four principal gatekeepers were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning." -- 1 Chronicles 9:26b-27
A Kingdom gatekeeper is simply this: a person whom the Lord has entrusted with keys of revelation, wisdom, and authority and walks in intimacy with Jesus. Gatekeepers have guardianship of the treasuries of the house of God. There are many different types of gatekeepers, and each has a particular "field" of influence (as previously mentioned). These include worshipping gatekeepers, community gatekeepers, market place gatekeepers, and apostolic or prophetic gatekeepers, to name a few. Our first ministry, as gatekeepers, is to minister to the Lord.
GATEKEEPERS ARE THOSE WHOM GOD CAN ENTRUST WITH RESPONSIBILITY
"Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer. They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the Lord -- the house called the Tent." -- 1 Chronicles 9:22-23
PIONEER GATEKEEPERS
Gatekeepers are often pioneers. Two Old Testament examples of pioneer gatekeepers are Joseph and Daniel. Peter may be considered a New Testatment example of an apostolic gatekeeper as he was given keys of revelation, power, and authority:
"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." -- Matthew 17:18-19
A gatekeeper has revelatory keys to unlock spiritual gates. In order to more fully understand the function of a gatekeeper, it is helpful to consider the purpose of gates.
JESUS IS THE GATE! HE GIVES ACCESS AND GRANTS DOMINION
"Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.'" -- John 10:7
The result of passing through the Gate that is Christ is salvation!
GATES ARE A POINT OF ACCESS
"While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses." -- Nehemiah 7:3
In the days of walled cities, gates were of tremendous significance. A gate was a point of access or a place where access was denied to an unwanted intruder or enemy.
GATES ARE PLACES FOR DECISION MAKING
The gateway was a place where the elders of the city met to make decisions and settle disputes. Decisions made at the gates affected the lives and destiny of those under the authority of the elders. Today, as we consider the corporate effects of gatekeepers, it is noteworthy that these will impact on a community, national, international, and global level.
GATES ARE PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
"When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra, the scribe, to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses. . . " -- Esther 8:1
A PLACE OF HOSPITALITY
Any stranger could seek hospitality at the city gates (e.g. Lot at the gate of the city).
A PLACE OF ENEMY ACTIVITY
"During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bighthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai." -- Esther 2:21-22
Satan recognizes that our homes, communities, cities, and nations are gateways and have the potential for the release of incredible power, either for good or [for] evil. The story of Esther reveals that although the enemy conspired at the gate, God had his man at the gate too, and ultimately, God's Kingdom-agenda prevailed.
A PLACE OF CONVERGENCE/TRANSFORMATION
"When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king's gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it." -- Esther 4:1-2
Gates were places where lives were touched and changed.
MILITARY AND STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE
Gates were the weakest places in the city's defenses. Gates, therefore, had guards to watch over who entered AND who was approaching from far away. If the enemy took the gates, then the rest of the city could easily be taken. God is downloading "military" strategies and forming strategic networks and alliances in order to position the Church to be the soul winner in our cities and nations.
A PLACE OF OBSERVATION
"Then the watchman saw another man running, and he called down to the gatekeeper." -- 2 Samuel 18:26
Gates are places where strategic reconnaissance information is exchanged between the watchmen of a community or nation and the gatekeepers.
A PLACE OF PROTECTION
"The King was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept." -- 2 Samuel 18:33
Spiritual gates that are won for Christ are strongholds of the Lord where we can be hidden from the enemy and find rest for our souls.
A PLACE OF PRAYER AND PROPHETIC REVELATION
"I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts. I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. [Then the Lord replied,] 'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.'" -- Habakkuk 2:1-3
A gate is a place of prayer and revelatory impartation. Spiritual gates are where we are given prophetic utterance to proclaim the decrees of the Lord. It is where Holy Spirit brings forth breakthrough, blessing, and victory on the earth.
A PLACE TO MAKE APOSTOLIC OR PROPHETIC PROCLAMATION
"The people of the Lord went down to the city gates. 'Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, break out in song! Arise, O Barak! Take your captives, son of Abinoam.'" -- Judges 5:12
Gates are places where spiritual battles can be won or lost. Deborah and Barak, along with all the people, rose up to worship at the city gates.
A PLACE OF WORSHIP
"Those who were musicians, heads of Levite families, stayed in the rooms of the temple and were exempt from other duties because they were responsible for the work day and night." -- 1 Chronicles 9:33
As gatekeepers of God's presence, we are all worshipping gatekeepers. As we praise and worship the Holy One, we change the spiritual atmosphere in our homes, our cities, and our nations.
A PLACE FOR PARTICULAR ACTIVITIES
In Biblical times, gates also had names that described the nature of the part of the city they gave access to.
"By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool. . . " -- Nehemiah 2:13-14
GATES HAVE ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE
Gates are places of spiritual breakthrough! In Hebrews 13:11-4, we read how Jesus suffered outside the city gates in order that we might be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life.
GATEWAYS
Gateways are portals of glory and places of Kingdom convergence. Gateways are places of power encounters.
DEVELOPING A GLOBAL MINDSET
Daniel was the Lord's ambassador; Joseph [was] a pioneer gatekeeper and administrator over Egypt. God wants us to develop a global mindset, particularly as we consider:
THE CORPORATE MARKET PLACE • Business• Government• Technology• Media• Communications
GOD'S AGENDA -- UNITY IS THE STRATEGY; DOMINION IS THE GOAL
As existing Kingdom alliances are strengthened and new gatekeepers alliances are formed, Holy Spirit will enable the Church to identify enemy and world gateway systems and empower us to infiltrate these systems by releasing bypass strategies. Bypass strategies are the means through which God will bypass the agenda of hell and bring to pass His divine will.
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES -- AUTHORITY AND DOMINION
God will enable the Church to identify modern-day Cyrus (Isaiah 45) and Pharaoh type figures. Cyrus was a king (person) in authority in the world system. He was a gatekeeper into the world's resources and seats of authority. God used him to bring restoration and empowerment to his people.
GATES ARE SEATS OF POWER AND HAVE POTENTIAL TO RELEASE KINGDOM RESOURCE
God's intention at the gates is to release: • Worship• Warfare• Wisdom• Warnings• Wonders• Witness
Consider some of the world gateways, as we consider the geopolitical landscape:• United Nations• World Economic Forum -- global gateway organization of Trans National Corporations (TNC's)• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's)• World Trade Organization (WTO)• World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF)• International Court of Justice (ICJ)• International Criminal Court (ICC)
KINGDOM ALIGNMENT
God's intention is to give His ambassadors access to gates of nations, to change and affect the destiny of nations and bring them into Kingdom alignment.Be blessed this day as a Gatekeeper of God's presence!
Catherine Brown
One Million Hours of Praise
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