Do you find more of God in a crowd? Some think so in fact I would say, most people think so. What do the scriptures teach? Matt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate , and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
And the very next verse, is it strange that in regards to this statement Jesus Christ warns His followers; "Beware of false prophets..."
WATCH THE RELIGIOUS CROWD
The religious crowd many times is led by the CROWD itself, and not the personal pull of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the few that will receive it.
AHAB'S CROWD OF PREACHERS
We find an example for us to observe in the Old Testament. It is found in 2 Chronicles 18 when two Kings, the wicked Ahab over the ten Tribes of Israel and the Godly Jehoshaphat King of Judah. King Ahab had ask the King of Judah to fight with Him against the Syrian's at Ramoth-gilead. King Jehoshaphat said, "I am as thou are, and my people as thy people, and we will be with thee in war." However, being a Godly King, he asked Ahab, "have you enquired of the LORD?"
Ahab had 400 hundred preachers all saying the same thing in unity. These were Prophets of the LORD, having what we could call and old fashion Pentecostal jubilee, with all the emotions that go with such a mighty gathering. "Thus saith the LORD, go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper for the LORD will deliver it unto the hand of the king."
ONE PREACHER OUTSIDE THE CROWD
However, there was ONE preacher, a prophet by the name of Micaiah the son of Imla. Oh my, the King hated him, because he never said anything good to the King, always spoke against Him, no matter what the CROWD of preachers in unity would preach.
His word was certainly different, but it was truly of the LORD; to fulfill the Word of God already spoke by Elijah the prophet. "I say a vision of God at his throne, and all the host of heaven were standing around. He said, who will entice Ahab king of Israel, to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? Then came out a spirit and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him, I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all those prophets to persuade the King to go up and be killed according to Elijah's prophesy."
It worked. The CROWD in what seem to be a great spiritual movement, brought deception and influence. Jesus said it first; "Beware of false prophets..."
TO BE POPLULAR DRAWS PEOPLE TO THE CROWD
I wonder, were are the Micaiah's today, that will stand up to the CROWD and declare the Word of God, even if it means being unpopular with the CROWD?
Pastor Bill Ivy - Living Word Tabernacle - Campbell Missouri USA