"Isaiah 22:22: The Key To
Governmental Authority"
Dutch Sheets, Dallas, TX
The Elijah List
Fifteen years ago, God unequivocally and undeniably gave me Isaiah 22:22 as a life-verse."Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, when he opens no one will shut, when he shuts no one will open." After 40 plus confirmations over a two-week period – yes, more than 40 – I became thoroughly convinced this verse was both a promise and a weapon for me. I have since used the verse hundreds of times throughout America – in all 50 states and in Washington DC – to open and close spiritual doors for the Lord.
After receiving the Isaiah
22:22 key for impacting the nation, much of my time was spent in the nation's capital, carrying out very specific and strategic prayer assignments. Heaven's endorsement on these missions was without question, with confirmation after confirmation being given to affirm the assignments. Oh, the stories I could tell from that season of
my life – amazing! While this verse has never left my thinking or ministry, for several years after the 2008 change in our national leadership, the Lord redirected my attention toward other assignments in America. As a result, my time in Washington DC, decreased significantly.
Within the past year, however, I have sensed the Lord asking me to wield the Isaiah 22:22 key in our nation's capital once again.
Through my recent recommissioning, and other prophetic revelation, the Lord has confirmed to me that the door to the governmental arena – and to Washington DC, specifically – is again wide open. And where Holy Spirit leads, I will certainly follow.
The Keys of The Ekklesia
This invitation to cross the threshold back into the sphere of governmental intercession has not only been extended to me, but to the entire Body of Christ.
As we mentioned, a key, symbolizing governmental authority is first mentioned in the book of Isaiah, within a prophetic passage concerning Jesus, the Messiah; but the second time keys, symbolizing spiritual authority, are spoken of in Scripture is at Jesus' first mention of the Church.
"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, [Greek: ekklesia]and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven." Matthew 16:18-19
In the disciples' day, the paradigm for an ekklesia (Church) was very different from contemporary notions. In the disciples' culture, an ekklesia was an assembly of people assigned to govern the affairs of a city, state or nation – in essence, a parliament or congress. To the Romans, it was an assembly of people sent into a conquered region to govern, but also to alter the culture until it became like that of Rome.
They infiltrated government, language, social structure, schools, etc. until the people talked, thought and acted like Romans. In other words, they brought the culture and ideals of the Kingdom of Rome to their assigned region. When Jesus said He would build His "Church," – His ekklesia – He was speaking of a Body of people that would legislate spiritually for Him, extending His Kingdom government and influence on the earth.
Christ's statement that "the gates of Hades will not overpower it" makes much more sense when we understand that these gates are not physical, but rather spiritual, and also symbolize government. In Biblical times, city gates were often where judges sat to rule, and where governing councils met to make decisions; therefore the word "gate/s" often symbolized government (for example, see 2 Samuel 19:8; Proverbs 22:22-23; Ruth 4:4-10).
In this first announcement regarding the Church, Jesus is declaring that the kingdom government (rule, decree, councils) of Hell won't prevail over His Kingdom government on earth – the Church. He follows this declaration by saying that He would give to His ekklesia "keys," which, just as in Isaiah 22:22, represent spiritual authority. In Isaiah 22:22, these keys close or open spiritual doors allowing or disallowing access and activity.
In Matthew 16, Christ's Church would also have keys – to bind and loose (lock, unlock, allow, forbid) – the "gates" or governmental decisions of Hell and to release the governmental decisions of Heaven.
God's Call to Kingdom Governance
We should attempt to function in this calling through prayer, by voting, and also by serving in governmental positions.
I frequently hear statements from the media, political leaders, educators, and others saying that religious beliefs should be kept "private" or that "they have no place in the public arena," and especially that they have no place in government. Nothing could be more unbiblical! The purpose behind this satanically-inspired dogma is to keep the Church from being the Church – the ekklesia.
The Bible brims with examples of God influencing government through individuals that were knowingly representing Him and His will.
We cannot place all hope for change in a wrong interpretation of God's sovereignty – a belief that when God wants and chooses to, He will change a particular problem or situation to be in accordance with His will, with or without our involvement. We must realize that we are God's governing force on the earth, which have been given keys of authority from Him to legislate from the spiritual realm.
With those keys, we are to close spiritual doors through which evil and destruction might otherwise enter.
The outcome of our mid-term election causes hope to arise, affirming that people are ready for change. Americans are being awakened and made ready to press through complacency taking strides toward real change. For such a time as this, God has prepared and positioned Kingdom ambassadors to wield His influence and shape our national destiny.
The Lord has called Dutch Sheets Ministries, and other similar ministries, to partner with Him by making bold governmental decrees, strongly supporting Godly leaders, strengthening the Church, and releasing Divine strategy for reigniting a prayer movement that will shift our nation toward righteousness. I believe these strides toward Kingdom governance will birth revival in America. As members of His ekklesia you, too, are called to be a part of this.
Your Delegated Authority
As Holy Spirit has reemphasized Isaiah 22:22 to me, I have prayed that you will be encouraged to take hold of God's promises and personally activate the keys – governmental authority – in your own life and for the nation.
My prayer is that you would walk boldly in this authority God has delegated to you.
Some of you may be instructed of the Lord, as I have been, to use your Isaiah
22:22 key within the sphere of government, and particularly within Washington DC. Some of you are called to pray for your state capital, your city or even another nation. Others of you may be assigned to use your Kingdom keys in the financial realm, for educational institutions, or for the entertainment sector. As you seek the Lord, He will revealthese and other assignments to you.
In this New Year the Lord is releasing keys – Heaven's governmental authority – that are yours for the taking. As you lay hold of them, your intercession and obedience will release you into a partnership with God, resulting in even broader realms of influence.
God is not finished with America, and He needs each one of us to help shift this nation! He is calling forth Kingdom warriors who will effectively wield the Isaiah 22:22 weapon, such that His throne of righteousness and justice is reestablished within our land.
Will you join us?
Dutch Sheets is an internationally recognized author, teacher, and conference speaker. He travels extensively, empowering Believers for passionate prayer and societal transformation. Dutch has pastored, taught in several colleges and seminaries, and served on the board of directors of numerous organizations. Dutch's greatest passion is to see America experience a sweeping revival and return to its Godly heritage. Dutch is a messenger of hope for America, encouraging Believers to contend for awakening in our day and reformation in our lifetime. Dutch has written over 20 books, many of which have been translated into over 30 languages.
Dutch and his wife Ceci have been married for 35 years and now reside in the Dallas area. They treasure time spent with their two grown daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren.
