Watchmen at the East Gate

“…Shemaiah [Yah Hears] the son of Shecaniah [Yah Abides], the keeper [watchman] of the East Gate, repaired.”
– Nehemiah 3:29b ESV

Years ago, I was told I was a watchman called to raise up watchmen. A watchman remains in a high position [Throneroom perspective over heaven and earth] in order to observe and protect and announce. The Lord sets watchmen on city walls, and day and night they’re never silent. They declare to the city what they see from the walls. Also, they remind the Lord of His words and promises, they do not cease or be quiet, and they give God no reason to stop until he establishes (Isaiah 62:6-7). It may seem strange to us, but the Lord actually calls and positions people to pray His heart and desires into full manifestation —praying His heavenly kingdom into the earth.

It is significant that the watchman in Nehemiah 3:29 is associated with the concepts of Yahweh hearing and abiding. A watchman is someone who has received the invitation to be identified with the God who hears and abides. The Hearer highly values the Spirit-led intercession of the watchman; and the Abider is never absent from the watchman. Day and night, the watchman is never alone. Yahweh remains fully present and continually resides with the watchman. A watchman is intimately associated with Yahweh the Hearer and the Abider.

In Jerusalem, the East Gate is literally the Sunrise Gate because it faces the rising sun. It is also the King’s Gate, the Golden Gate, the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:2). In Hebrew, it is Sha’ar Harahamim, the Gate of Mercy. Hundreds of years ago, Muslims sealed the East Gate with concrete sixteen feet thick because the Jewish Messiah is prophesied to return through this gate. If natural enemies know the significance of the East Gate, how much more aware are the spiritual enemies of God’s Kingdom? Do you think the dark principalities will do all within their power to shut down and seal gates of the King — Eastern, Sunrise, Golden, Beautiful Gates of Mercy?

The Lord moved our church to the east side of the DFW Metroplex, positioning us as watchmen at the East Gate. As a church, we gathered and prayed and participated in repairing and restoring the spiritual gates into the region. We’ve seen Him do wonderful, miraculous things, and there is still so much more to come. The East Gate is key to regional awakening, revival, and transformation.

Psalm 24 is a call to watchmen to be consecrated and arise. Come, watchmen! Embrace He who hears and abides! Ascend with Him to your higher positions and don’t be silent until His plans and promises and praise are fully established!