by Nate Johnston, Gold Coast, Australia
In the beginning of the year I had a dream that I met a man of God who handed me a set of keys. These keys looked like an old jailer key-set from the Dark-Ages consisting of many ancient keys and also a few new shiny keys.
I can\’t even tell you how often I have seen 22, 222, or 22:22 since that dream. I have found that these numbers represent open doors, authority, and the keys of the Kingdom.
I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (Isaiah 22:22)
Throughout the year I began to understand that God was highlighting to His Church our role to walk through an open doorway into grace so we can operate in a higher authority.
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 16:19)
Asking For The Nations
It was February of 2016 that the Lord told me He was releasing the \”responsibility of nations\” to the Church. We as the Church have always had a responsibility for the nations but this struck my heart so deeply, as if the Lord was calling the Church to steward nations like it hadn\’t before.
Shortly thereafter, I had my first detailed vision where I was being shown specifics about a city in the world and what needed to be released and unlocked in the spirit there. I didn\’t understand why I had this sudden shift in my revelation, but I soon began crossing paths with others who were also being given this mandate from the Lord to pray more intently for cities, regions, and nations.
Ask of Me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the Earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel. (Psalm 2:8-9)
To the one who is victorious and does My will to the end, I will give authority over the nations–that one will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery, just as I have received authority from My Father. (Revelation 2:26-27)
Both the iron rod and the iron scepter represent the authority we have over every opposition. I believe we have recently stepped into a new authority we didn\’t possess or have access to before. Why do we need it? Because more than ever before it is necessary to operate from a higher place and take back ground from the enemy by evicting these principalities that once governed there.
Of Royal Design
Recently, I had a dream that I was with many others who were partaking in a ceremony like a royal coronation, where crowns were placed on our heads and scepters in our hands. Before the dream ended I had the sense of being given a massive responsibility.
The next morning I looked up what a coronations purpose was and found, \”A coronation is the public handing over of title and powers to a new monarch.\”
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God\’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9).
I would define the current transition of the Church as \”leaving the orphanage for the palace.\” The Church found its ceiling, but the Lord had a plan to open the doors of His banquet hall and throw a feast—an invitation to a higher truth—which is a reality that will shift the Church out of powerlessness and into untold power and effectivity in the earth.
We are truly in a time of an exchange or upgrade in identity and authority. You cannot be upgraded in your authority without your identity being updated. Equally, you can\’t operate in a higher reality of your identity and value without it affecting your authority.
Isaiah 22:22 says He gives us the keys to the house of David and Revelation 2 says we will rule with an iron scepter. I would say that the prerequisite to being able to use the keys of the Kingdom and walk in kingly authority is royalty—being grafted into the family and being intimately acquainted with the King.
God is awakening the Church to her royalty and commissioning us with the power to rule and reign in this earth!
Permission To Birth
Not too long ago, I spoke at a Church in a nearby city and a few days before I had a vision where the Lord revealed specific things to me about the region I was visiting—the strongholds, the history, and its destiny. It was so specific and detailed that I was even apprehensive about releasing it as boldly and powerfully as I received it. In the vision, I literally could hear the earth crying out for redemption and restoration. I could also hear the prayers of revival and words of prophesy spoken into its soil. The rich heritage was begging to be called up to the surface, but many intercessors in the region had been stifled and squashed.
The enemy will do anything he can to prevent the arrival of God\’s plans and purposes and he does that by blocking the womb of intercessors especially in regions that are in territorial conflict. These intercessors will feel like they are at 40 weeks pregnant with nowhere to give birth, and in frustration and confusion they will begin to feel grief and sadness overtake them until they either abort their mission or hide.
If you have felt like your role as an intercessor has been violated in some way, or poisoned by the enemy, God wants to heal and restore you. He gives you permission today to birth and bring forth the song that will heal your land. Stand up on your walls again today mighty prayer warriors and possess your land.
Healing For The Nations
It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. Revelation 22:2
This Scripture reveals how intimacy and relationship with the Lord releases authority to bring healing to nations. It says that the trees of life (intimacy) bore twelve crops of fruit (twelve = governmental authority) and the leaves were healing to the nations.
In the midst of so much doubt, fear, and negativity, with our TV screens, phones, and iPads constantly bombarded with doomsday interpretations of real world events, we are needing those who carry a different report. Those who can look at the darkest situation and see what God is doing to bring healing and restoration.
The song \”Strike the Ground\” from the AzusaNow album sings:
\”We strike the ground on the wells of revival Burst forth, burst forth \’Cause there\’s a war going on in the heavenlies And we\’re tearing down wicked principalities There\’s a war going on in the heavenlies And we\’re raising up righteousness.\”
It\’s time to strike the ground; it\’s time to call forth her destiny. As sons and daughters it\’s time to rise up. When we live from a place of intimacy and power we will destroy the principalities and powers of darkness that are occupying our territory and usher in the love of God the world is craving.
I pray today that you will be awakened to the authority you possess as a Child of God. That you will move past all barriers and obstacles in your own life and begin to shift cities, regions, and nations with your God-given authority.
Nate and Christy Johnston
Everyday Revivalists