April 2001
Volume 30 Issue 4 No. 301
|
April 2001 Volume 30 Issue 4 No. 301 |
|
Hosanna to Hallelujah!R. Stanley
The events which took place from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday have lot to teach us on worship. The Holy Week commenced with the song of Hosanna and climaxed with the shout of Hallelujah. No other week in the earthly life of Christ has so many lessons on worship. May this study enrich our understanding to adore the Almighty!
1. "Hosanna in the Highest!"
It was Jesus Himself who initiated the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He arranged for the transport—"a donkey and a colt"—through His disciples (Mt 21:1-3). It is always God who first inspires us to worship Him. This does not mean He is selfish. In fact nothing gets added to His being by our worship (Acts 17:25). He is absolutely absolute and completely complete in Himself. By calling us to worship Him, He actually gives us an opportunity to fellowship with Him and get to know Him. God is self-revealing in His nature.
Everything in Christian life is a response to God. It is believing what He says and doing what He bids. Otherwise our theology is man-centred. My quality of worship depends on how much help I receive from God for this exercise. That’s why David prayed, "O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise" (Psa 51:15). And Paul affirmed, "No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 12:3b).
Every revelation from God about Himself is a call to worship. Jesus had been known until then only as a master Teacher and a miracle worker. But now the people understood He was King! "Tell the daughter of Zion: Behold, your King is coming to you!" (Mt 21:5a). Without this prophetic revelation (Zech 9:9) they would miss Him, because they would normally expect a King riding a horse and not a donkey! Here lies the reason why we must saturate ourselves with the Word of God if our worship must be right. "I will WORSHIP... Your Name... because You have magnified Your WORD above all Your Name!" (Psa 138:2).
Another significant lesson we learn from the happenings of Palm Sunday is that children should never be despised in the matter of worship. The religious leaders were upset over the Hosannas of the children. Perhaps their shouts were not organized enough like the ceremonial temple worship. But Jesus rebuked the leaders reminding them, "Have you never read, Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise?" (Mt 21:15,16; Psa 8:2). Our children should be encouraged to freely sing and shout aloud in congregational gatherings. That will make our praise and worship more fragrant and less formal.
Of the four evangelists John alone mentions that people took palm branches in their hands when they went out to meet Jesus with the Hosanna greeting (Jn 12:12,13). In his heavenly visions also John saw palm branches in the hands of the innumerable Hosanna-singers (Rev 7:9,10). This teaches us that when we worship God as a celebration and not a mere duty, it gives us a foretaste of heaven on earth.
2. "Unless a grain of wheat dies..."
Among those who had come to Jerusalem for the feast were certain Greeks who had come to "worship" (Jn 12:20). Having heard about Jesus they were desirous of seeing Him. Philip and Andrew carried the message to Jesus. In reply Jesus said, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified... Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain" (vv 21-24).
The reply of Jesus to the Greeks seems strange and inappropriate. But Jesus knew what He was talking about. That’s why His introductory phrase to the statement was, "Most assuredly I say to you..." (Jn 12:24). The Greeks known for their wisdom and scholarship perhaps wanted to personally hear Jesus whose teaching and wisdom had stirred multitudes and silenced the opposers. They wanted to "admire" Him, but Jesus wanted them to "adore" Him. When Philip and Andrew informed Jesus of the desire of those Greeks, the first sentence of reply of Jesus was, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified" (v 23). That glorification was possible only through His death and resurrection just as a grain would die and a plant would grow.
In this background we understand Paul’s message to the Corinthians better. "Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified!" (1 Cor 1:22,23). In worship we are not to remember Jesus as a 33-year old Jew in flesh and blood. That’s why it is really not necessary to keep portraits of Jesus. Paul ascertained, "Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer" (2 Cor 5:16).
After making reference to His death and resurrection Jesus goes on to teach self-denial (Jn 12:25). True worship is realisation of our unworthiness and His supreme worth. It is realising our nothingness and His being everything. It is saying no to self and yes to God. It is surrender. It is submission. Aromatic worship is pouring one’s life on the altar. It is readiness to do anything for the Beloved of our soul. It is refusal to allow self come in between.
Acceptable worship is following God whatever the cost. Jesus continued, "If anyone serves Me, let Him follow Me" (Jn 12:26). For Abraham worship meant going to a mountain God would show him to offer up his son as a burnt offering (Gen 22:2,5). That is the place of fellowship with the Crucified. We will not return empty. "If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honour." Abraham returned rejoicing with shouts of Jehovah-jireh! (Jn 8:56; Gen 22:14).
While speaking these words of self-denial and death to Philip and Andrew, Jesus in His humanness suddenly gets into soul agony thinking about what He was going to suffer. He confessed, "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’?" (Jn 12:27). Instead of giving place to worry, He goes up on worship : "Father, glorify Your Name!" (v 28). Friend, don’t waste your sorrows! Turn them into songs! You may not feel like praising God in agonizing moments. But do it anyway! You will then convert the Valley of Baca (weeping) into the Valley of Berachah (blessing) (Psa 84:6; 2 Chr 20:26).
3. She gave all she had!
Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had, her whole livelihood" (Mk 12:43,44).
Giving our substance to God is one of the most practical expressions of worship. "Money makes many things." "Money matters." These are the maxims of mankind regarding money. That’s why the Bible warns us that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Tim 6:10). Deliverance from the love of money is as good as the salvation of soul. It’s a "temptation" to overcome, a "snare" to escape, a "foolishness" to avoid, a "harmful lust" to shun, a "destruction" to be dreaded, and a "perdition" to flee from (v 9).
God gives us wealth and watches us how we use it. Jesus purposely sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into it (Mk 12:41). The Church records how much we give, but the Lord counts how much is kept back. When what we keep back becomes less and less we go higher and higher in the ladder of worship. This truth was illustrated by the example of the Macedonian Christians. Their "deep poverty" abounded in the "riches of their liberality" (2 Cor 8:2). Commenting on this Paul says, "They gave themselves to the Lord!" (v 5). Pure worship! Sacrificial giving—that is, giving beyond one’s ability (v 3) —by one member or one section of the Body of Christ invariably affects others causing more and more thanksgiving to God! (9:11,12). No wonder God falls in love with those who give with cheerfulness and not by calculation (9:7).
4. "Why this waste?"
The Gospels record the worshipful acts of two women both done on Tuesday. One was the poor widow and the other was Mary. God perhaps in His sovereign wisdom ordered these two events in order to encourage His Son who was preparing Himself for the most cruel death.
We have heard and read enough and more of Mary’s act of pouring very costly fragrant oil on Jesus (Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9; Jn 11:2). But until and unless we personally do something of this sort, we will not understand the meaning of lavish worship. Can you remember sacrificing something which was very dear and near to you? Have you done anything for Jesus which has really cost you? Are you constantly looking for ways by which you can give God more than all the previous years of your Christian life? Do you endeavour to do the unusual for the Kingdom of God? Has a sense of dissatisfaction gripped you that you have not done your best for God yet?
What appeared as "waste" for the guests at Simon’s house was applauded as "worship" by the Chief Guest. The fragrance of Mary’s perfume suppressed the flavour of all the delicious dishes served on the table! However, lavish worshippers will always be misunderstood by the majority. It is due to its own lack of understanding of the greatness of God and the preciousness of the Lord. Mary’s theological knowledge was much deeper and more practical than the close disciples of Jesus. It is possible to follow Jesus and work for Him without a consuming and passionate love for Him. Then it is mere work and not worship.
This incident teaches us another lesson. We must never delay whatever we desire to do for God. Jesus commended Mary saying, "She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial" (Mk 14:8). When the other women brought spices for the body of Jesus on the following Sunday, the body was no more there because Jesus had risen! (Lk 24:1-3).
"God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of LOVE which you have shown toward His Name" (Heb 6:10). Mary found a place in God’s Hall of Fame among worldwide evangelists! (Mt 26:13).
5. "Do this in remembrance of Me!"
The Lord’s Supper was not instituted primarily to minister some blessings to the partakers. Rather it is meant to be essentially an occasion of worship. The Lord’s Table enables us to remember the Lord in a manner as no other congregational exercise does. What’s recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke is interpreted for us in Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthian Christians (Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:17-20; 1 Cor 11:23-34). We celebrate the praises of God atleast in three ways in the Holy Communion.
First, we praise the Lord for His vicarious death (1 Cor 11:24-26). We thank Him for bearing our sins and carrying our sicknesses on His body (Isa 53:4,5; 1 Pet 2:24). We thank Him for shedding His blood to draw us near to God and open the way to the Throne of Grace (Eph 2:13; Heb 10:19,20). We thank Him for establishing a new covenant with us by which He will remember our sins no more (Heb 8:10-12). This is the meaning of "proclaiming the Lord’s death" (1 Cor 11:26).
Secondly, we thank the Lord for His Body, even the Church (v 29). Paul concludes his explanation of the Lord’s Supper with a call to believers to consider one another (vv 33, 34). That is the meaning of "discerning" the Lord’s Body. We recognize the fellow-believers as the members of the same Body. The Body of Christ is the Bride of Christ. To be a part of it is a privilege worth singing for all our life. The greatest supper of all ages will be that of the marriage of the Lamb of God (Rev 19:9). The Lord’s supper is a foretaste of that celebration (Mt 26:29).
Thirdly, we worship the Lord as the Soon-coming King (1 Cor 11:26b). The Lord’s Table reminds us of Christ’s ultimate victory over all enemies. We adore Him as the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
The remembrance of the Lord around His table thus brings atleast three of His functional aspects into focus for our worship — The Lamb of God, the Lord of the Church, and the Lord of the Nations.
Because the Lord’s Supper is meant to be an experience of worship, there’s no prescription as to how often we must celebrate it. The new-born Church had it almost daily (Acts 2:42,46). And then it perhaps became a weekly affair (Acts 20:7). Now in many Churches it is only a monthly practice. That’s one reason why it has become more a ceremony than a celebration!
6. "Father, into Your hands..."
The word Abraham used for the sacrifice of his son Isaac was "worship" (Gen 22:2,5). The self-sacrifice of Christ is the most supreme offering in history. When Jesus commended His spirit into the hands of His Father, the God of Heaven and Earth received worship that is unparallelled. About this the Son of God had already said in His farewell address when He left Heaven for earth, "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me" (Heb 10:5-7).
No worship is more sweet-smelling before the Throne of God like the offering of our bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1). This is the crowning lesson the death of Christ teaches us (Eph 5:1,2). Also no other worship takes us so close to the intimate presence of God. When Jesus gave Himself up into the hands of the Father, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Lk 23:46; Mt 27:50,51). The Way into the Holiest was no more closed!
Offering of our bodies to God as a living sacrifice simply means making every organ of our body available as an instrument of righteousness so we may say no to all the allurement of the unrighteous and ungodly systems of the world (Rom 6:13,19). This is both a crisis experience and an ongoing one. The Bible calls us to constantly reckon ourselves to be dead to sin and alive to God (Rom 6:11). This will make every day of the week good. Good Sunday, Good Monday,... Good Friday, Good Saturday!
7. Hallelujah! "He is risen!"
Nothing but resurrection makes a more glorious theme for worship. Through resurrection God has made Jesus both "Lord" and "Christ" (Acts 2:36). No other worship chorus is more popular than this one—
According to Matthew when Jesus met His disciples for the first time after resurrection, His Word of greeting was, "Rejoice!" Their response is graphically stated as, "They came and held Him by the feet and worshipped Him" (Mt 28:9). Expressions of adoration!
Mary Magdalane thought she was talking to the gardener. But when Jesus addressed her as "Mary", she instantly recognized Him and in excitement shouted, "Rabboni!" Overwhelmed with joy she wanted to cling to Him (Jn 20:15-17). Expressions of affection!
Then there was Thomas. When Jesus showed him His wounds, he exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:27,28). Expressions of amazement!
The resurrection of Jesus frees worship from formality and excites us with a symphony of adoration, a spirit of affection, and a sense of amazement. Resurrection makes our hearts rejoice and our tongues glad (Acts 2:24-28). We go on shouting Hallelujahs in His presence that’s full of joy!
Angels are real!Peter Horobin
Lucifer, before he was renamed Satan, used to be part of the angelic hosts. He was one of the highest angels in rank and authority. In order to understand more of how Satan is likely to operate, it is helpful, therefore, to study the power, objectives and abilities of the angels, about which there is quite a lot of information in the scriptural accounts.
The first chapter of Hebrews, which majors on the nature and character of Jesus as being greater than the angels, concludes with a question which the writer immediately proceeds to answer: "What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation" (Heb 1:14). In other words, angels are spirit beings whose principal responsibility at the present time is serve God by helping Christians. That means they are on our side!
Heavenly order
Only Angels of the highest rank are actually named in Scripture. Michael the archangel (or chief angel) and Gabriel (who appears to be the chief messenger angel) are the only ones whose names and roles are illustrated or described.
There are numerous references in the Scriptures to a heavenly order of spiritual beings, which imply that there are angels with varying degrees of power and authority. For example, Paul states that ‘God created everything in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen things including spiritual powers, lords, rulers and authorities’ (Col 1:16; see also Eph 1:21 and 1 Pet 3:22).
There are also references in the Scriptures to other winged angelic creatures—the cherubim (Gen 3:24; Ezek 1 and Rev 4:6-9), and the seraphim, whom Isaiah saw during his life-changing experience of seeing into the presence of God and realizing the extent of his own uncleanness (Isa 6:1-8).
There are three major references to Michael, from which it is clear that Michael is a warrior angel. The first of these, in Daniel 10:21, describes Michael as ‘Israel’s guardian angel’ the one who is responsible for watching over the interests of God’s chosen people.
The earlier part of Daniel 10 describes how the angel sent in answer to Daniel’s prayer (presumably Gabriel, who had made previous visitations to Daniel, described in chapters 8 and 9) ran into heavy opposition and had to do battle with the ‘angel prince of the kingdom of Persia.’
This angel prince was not an angel in the service of God, but a fallen angel who had joined Satan’s rebellion against God and had been stationed there by Satan as the spiritual ruler over the nation. The battle was so severe that Gabriel had to send for reinforcements and it was Michael who came to his aid. However high ranking the prince of Persia was, he was no match for Michael.
Battling with Lucifer
Our next major reference to Michael, in Revelation 12, describes how he did battle with Lucifer in heaven and expelled him, along with all the other angels who joined in the rebellion against God (including the angel prince of Persia). "He was thrown down to earth, and all his angels with him" (Rev 12:9).
So when Michael, the mighty warrior angel who had already defeated all the hosts of Satan (Lucifer), appeared on the scene over Persia, the outcome was a foregone conclusion. After the battle was over Gabriel was then free to complete his task and meet up with Daniel. Gabriel began his message by apologising for the delay! Daniel had been fasting and praying for 21 days—exactly the same time-span that it had taken for Gabriel to get through to him. None of us have any idea what may be happening in the heavenlies when prayers seem to be slow in being answered.
The only other direct reference to Michael is a somewhat obscure one in Jude 9. Here even Michael, in an argument with the devil, is described as showing him proper respect— not daring to insult him but leaving God to do the rebuking. Christians who are dismissive of the devil’s power often demonstrate amazing naivety, arrogance and pride when talking about Satan and consequently make themselves vulnerable to his devices. Even Paul had to admit that Satan interfered in his ministry (1 Thess 2:18) and would not let him return to his friends at Thessalonica.
Religious relics
The actual argument with the devil was over the body of Moses. Some commentators assume that even though Moses himself (spirit and soul) was securely part of God’s kingdom, because of his sin (as a murderer and someone who was disobedient to God when put to the test), Satan had laid claim to the body as a prize.
I wonder if Satan’s objective here would have been to see Moses’ body being used as a religious relic, so that people would venerate his remains and take their eyes off God. Satan is very subtle, and I believe it is he who is the chief proponent of the use of religious artefacts, knowing that if people can be deceived into putting their faith in them they are well on their way to worshipping demons and, ultimately, Satan himself.
Angelic help
The angel who appeared at the resurrection was undoubtedly a high warrior angel, if not Michael himself. First, he rolled the stone away, and when the Roman guards saw him they ‘were so afraid that they became like dead men’ and ‘his appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow’ (Mt 28:3,4).
Gabriel appears to be the chief messenger angel, commissioned by God to communicate with His people on exceptional occasions and sometimes personally manifesting himself before the individual concerned. His usual introduction in the Scriptures is ‘Fear not’—a mercifully comforting command to those who might otherwise be in a deep state of shock!
In Daniel 8 Gabriel interprets a vision for Daniel, and in chapter 9 he brings understanding to him on difficult matters. In Daniel 10 it is presumed that it is Gabriel who comes in response to Daniel’s prayer.
In the New Testament Gabriel is entrusted with telling Zechariah that he is to be the father of John the Baptist (Lk 1:11-20), and then telling Mary that she is to be the mother of Jesus (Lk 1:26-38). Clearly these are major events in God’s timetable, requiring a totally unmistakable visitation leaving the recipient of the message in no doubt whatsoever that God has spoken.
There are numerous other instances in the Scriptures of messenger angels appearing to communicate with believers in this way. For example, an angel appeared to Samson’s mother, advising her that even though she was childless she was now going to conceive (Judg 13:3).
In Genesis 18 two angels warn Abraham about the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and then go on to warn his nephew Lot. In Judges 6 an angel appears to Gideon and commissions him as the Lord’s agent for the rescue of Israel from the Midianites. And in Acts 10 Cornelius sees a vision in which an angel of the Lord tells him that his prayers have been answered.
Clearly messenger angels have a strategic role in the direction of God’s people and in answering their prayers. I suspect that their intervention in response to prayer, and in speaking guidance to our hearts, is somewhat greater than any of us might imagine!
Immediately after Jesus had endured 40 days of fasting and prayer in the wilderness, during which Satan tested Him severely, angels came and ministered to Him (Mt 4:11). In I Kings 19 an angel is seen providing sustenance for Elijah in the wilderness. It seems that ministering angels have a specific purpose in bringing encouragement and personal blessing to God’s children. There are many ways in which they function.
As Christians we face much spiritual opposition and angels play a strategic role in encourgaging us and lifting our spirits at these times. I am reminded of the story in Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress when Christian, at the House of the Interpreter, is amazed at a fire which continues to burn brightly in spite of cold water being poured on to it. The key was the ‘man’ round the other side of the fire, which was pouring on oil.
In addition to the three broad categories of angelic function described above, we can deduce from the Scriptures a number of aspects of the character of angles, and understand something of the various roles which they fulfil.
By contrast with the above, and recognising that the demonic powers will always oppose what God is doing, we can see that demons will act in the following contrary ways:
1. They are always serving and worshipping Satan. The worship they offer Satan, however, is not that which is willingly given, but that which is extracted from them through a reign of fear and terror. They are puffed up with pride and seek to dominate and control through fear. Punishment and retribution are hallmarks of Satan’s kingdom.
2. They rejoice in the works of Satan, because they have a vested self-interest in Satan achieving his objectives. They gain more power as a result.
3. They always execute Satan’s will and wishes, which means they are totally committed to:
4. Whey are strategically involved in the affairs of nations via ruling princes whom Satan has positioned in control of specific territories throughout the world.
5. They oppose the interests of churches. Many Christians naively believe that inside their churches they are free from Satan’s attack. In reality that is the place where Satan has a major influence, continually seeking to undermine the work of the Holy Spirit who is moving the fellowships forward to do the works of the kingdom.
6. They oppose and attack believers. Wherever believers are seeking to he obedient to the will of God, and to move forward under the anointing of the Holy Spirit? demons will seek to undermine what God is doing through them. Satan is not particularly concerned, however, about those who are just religious, whatever their particular brand of religious expression may be. Religion which is outside the anointing of the Holy Spirit is no particular threat to Satan’s kingdom.
7. They will do all they can to attack godly children (Satan’s enemies). The personal attacks may include sickness, accidents, financial problems, relationship breakdown, etc. Indeed, they will take advantage of any weakness in the defences, or unhealed past, to gain, or strengthen, a foothold in the Christians territory.
8. They perform extraordinary acts on behalf of Satan and his kingdom. Even the Egyptian magicians were capable of duplicating some of the signs that Moses did in front of Pharaoh. There are many deceptions operating in Satan’s kingdom which the people of God need to be discerning about. Scripture says that in the last days even the very elect may be deceived (Mk 13:22).
9. They ‘minister’ personally to each human being. But their style of ministry is not that which we would want to encourage! Just as God would give to each child an angel (Mt 18:10), so, it seems, Satan would try to put on each child an evil spirit—what the spiritualists would call a guiding spirit, but which we would recognise simply as a demon. The job function of such a Spirit is to do everything possible to turn a person away from God and to deceive them into actions that are contrary to God’s will and purpose.
Angels’ important role
It is clear that angels have a very important role to play in this world and that, just as they are deployed on the face of the earth in accordance with the will of God, the demonic powers are also deployed so as to achieve Satan’s objectives. Demonic power will always be seen to be opposing the work of angels.
Confession MisconceptionsManfred Koehler, Missionary in Mexico, New Tribes Mission
As I’ve reflected on how God has freed me in recent years, I’ve realized that confession isn’t what I used to believe it was. Here are the misconceptions about confession I’ve identified.
No more Procrastination!Quotes from Dr. C. R. Bhansali’s book, Success
Procrastination! This trait of putting things on hold, keeping decisions on the back burner or being indecisive can prove detrimental. Expedite matters and be quick on the uptake.
The winner always has a plan. The loser always has an excuse.
The winner says, "Let me do it for you." The loser says, "That’s not my job."
The winner says, "It may be difficult but it’s possible." The loser says, "It may be possible but it’s difficult."
The winner sees a green near every sand-trap. The loser sees a sand-trap near every green.
Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice.
Take five minutes, right now, to identify what you are putting off.
Do one of those tasks right away. Action eliminates anxiety.
If getting started is the hardest part, set a designated time slot to do the task.
Beat boredom by using your mind. At the meeting, think of a challenging question.
Imagine you only have one year to live.
Don’t worry about perfection. What counts is the quality of effort, not perfect results.
Avoid using phrases such as "I wish..." "I hope..." "Maybe, I’ll...". Instead, say to yourself, "I will!"
Delegate but don’t forget.
If what you are putting off involves other people, consult them.
If you fear the consequences of the action you have been avoiding, ask yourself, "What is the very worst thing that could happen if I did it today?"
Vividly picture how free you will feel once the task is completed— free from anxiety.
The great achieve greatness by industry, rather than mere brilliance.
He who struggles is better than he who never attempts.
Improvise better options. And the best will come your way.
Begin with the end in mind.
This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done, and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody would not do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done!
The Seat of Satan
Sixtyseven percent of the world’s population and 97 of the world’s under-evangelized peoples live in the 10/40 window that lies between the 10th parallel and the 40th parallel north on the globe.
The population in the Window is rapidly approaching 4 billion people!
The 10/40 Window is a region of great historical and biblical significance. Indeed, the approximate centre of the Window coincides almost exactly with the Tigris-Euphrates area where many scholars say the Garden of Eden was located. At the heart of the Window, the humankind fell victim to deception, rebelled against God and lost dominion.
Moreover, the 10/40 Window is where God judged ancient humanity’s sinful behaviour with a cataclysmic flood that covered the earth. It is where the great Tower of Babel was raised in open defiance of God, prompting Him to confuse the people’s language and scatter them abroad.
Not only does the 10/40 Window represent the cradle of civilization, but in the opinion of many biblical scholars and missiologists it also serves as the seat of Satan. In the thousands of years since the first deception in Eden, Satan has continued to increase his stranglehold on the people living in this region.
As Christianity flourished in other areas, there arose Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and the occult to squelch the spread of the gospel within the 10/40 Window.
The 62 countries within the 10/40 Window include 37 out of 55 of the world’s least-evangelized nations. Even more astonishing, 97 percent of people occupying these least-evangelized nations live in this region.
The 10/40 Window contains the poorest of the poor. Eight out of 10 of the world’s most poverty-stricken people live there, adding up to an astonishing 2.4 billion people.
For the most part, the people of the 10/40 Window are destitute, suffering, under-educated and oppressed by an evil belief system. They are a vivid example of a tragic reality: "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Cor 4:4 NIV).
With such tremendous physical and spiritual needs, the 10/40 Window would seem to be a principal target for missionary endeavours. But from Senegal to Japan only 8 percent of the planet’s missionary force labours among 97 percent of the least-evangelized people in the world.
Simply stated everything seems unjust about the 10/40 Window. |
