A Vision for a different Multitude is gripping us
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2Peter 3:9
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. Joel 3:14
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17
God is breaking the mindset of “some survivors only“ (“a small remnant” Isaiah 1:9 – KJV), to a ‘many’ mindset – it was Isaiah who also prophesied of Jesus that “of the increase of His government and peace there would be no end.” There is only one way to turn back a lie – by repentance. The old way of thinking that says that the remnant is small has to go. That was the reason why Jesus came. The truth is that God is not willing that anyone should perish, or that He ever did. Isaiah’s accurate prophecy of an old covenant future event should not be mis-interpreted! Many today have lost sight that through Jesus Christ God desires to reach the many, but yes, from Isaiah’s point of view, it did come down to the Love of One – Jesus Christ. But now, through Him it has become about everyone. The reasons for opposing the view that God wants the multitudes to come to Him might be fear, myopia, resignation or indifference.
The small remnant of 120, after three and a half painstaking years, went quickly to 3000, and then 20,000 and has gone from Jerusalem to Judea, to Samaria to the uttermost parts of the earth and has become ‘many’ today! We have to smash any hindrances and obstacles to a vision of many in prayer. We have to smash that heresy of limitation – that foul demon of intimidation – there is only one way to do that – with boldness and with loudness… refusing to be silent!
God’s vision for us is a vision of more. That is why Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” A heart for more, waits for us to give more of ourselves, as Paul writes, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” For the same reason that Jesus looked for fruit from the fig tree back then, he is looking for it from us now. It is obvious that God intends more for everyone, and not less. That is why He came to bring a fire on earth. It is that fire that is still in us today. If we were to catch His heart for the lost we would be drawn into the secret place to keep that fire kindled and growing until it rages against the battlements of hell; consumes disease, death, and despair forever, and delivers all in its path into freedom!
A crowd of many thousands had gathered, and was being given an opportunity to enter into eternity with Him. He had pressed them with these words spoken against the fear of surrendering themselves to God, “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. He showed them how much they were loved and valued with these words, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
He is stunning! To everyone who has, He says, that they will be given more… both in character and context, both individually and corporately… because his love is awesomely contagious…
