The Many...Part 1

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12 KJV)

One of the greatest evils the end-time believers will face is that of the many.

Man was not designed to be a solitary creature. God saw this in the beginning and for this reason created woman, so that man would not be alone. It is because of our inherent need for companionship and our desire for acceptance that we gravitate toward each other. This is also true in matters of the kingdom, but we have been deceived into believing that might is right and that numbers matter. We have blindly followed the masses in our journey toward kingdom manifestation without realizing that kingdom is based upon a remnants internal condition rather than a multitudes appearance. This also is based upon our sensual perception.

We feel safe when we follow the pack. Being one of many can be a comfortable place of refuge. Entering into the unknown alone can be a fearful environment, but traveling with others can be adventurous, joyous, even if the destination is destruction! Following the multitudes seems the right thing to do, but Jesus revealed a technological gem concerning the many when he spoke of entering via the strait gate.

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: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

Christendom, for the most part, has equated this verse as an "us and them" passage. "Us", the Christians, as poised at the strait gate and "them" the unbelievers, as being on the broad way. That would be an easily acceptable position to assume had it not been for whom Jesus was addressing. Jesus was not discussing this principle with the heathen or the ungodly. He was relating kingdom principles to those that were called "his disciples". This is a common misconception that occurs in our reading of scripture; we have a tendency to relate scriptures from the saved/unsaved mentality, rather than to the called and accurate or called and inaccurate position. This can easily be seen when we look at the letters of the New Testament.

A simple principle to keep in mind when reading any scripture is to first determine to whom the letter is written. An example would be Paul's writing to the called out ones (The Church) at Galatia (Galatians). ­

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) {2} And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:1-2 KJV)

We can see that he defines his focus group in his introduction. He states that this communication is meant for the called out brothers that are located in the region of Galatia. He wasn't focusing this letter toward the unsaved because they wouldn't understand what he was talking about anyway!

The second point to bear in mind as you search the letter is to determine who or what he is writing about. Without considering these simple concepts as you study, it would be extremely easy to fall into the trap of the many, and if you apply this technology to this particular passage you will see that Paul is warning us of the many!

He continues: I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: {7} Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

(Galatians 1:6-7 KJV)

Now if we were to stop our reading at this point it would be easy, to lose context and to be persuaded to believe that these "some" are people outside the camp. But after Paul defends his receiving of this revelation and its history, he defines who the some are.

And that because of false brethren upawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage (Galatians 2:4 KJV)

The word privily used here means to come alongside. They were amongst us and gave the appearance of being of us. And they came in unaware. This can be seen in multiple lights. If we assume that they were aware of their deception we could conclude that they were enemies of the cross. What needs to be seen is that they loved God. They may have been stuck in the Law, but they did love God. It was Jesus they had issue with, but that didn't negate the fact that they were in search of God and made the assumption that they were 100% accurate in their law-abiding position. And because of that assumption and their refusal to accept that the Law had been fulfilled in Christ Jesus, they were unaware that they had become out of the way and unaware that they were now lost and totally unacceptable to the very God that they searched for. And this is "the who" Paul was warning the Galatians about.

In his discourse to his disciples, Jesus uses the word 'wide' to define the gate that many enter in at. Wide is the word 'platus' and defines something that is spread out "flat" and is the word that we derive our word plateau from. Platus comes from the word plasso, which is a primary verb that describes something that is molded or fabricated into aparticular shape. The implication of this gate being flat describes something that is easy to pass through, no mountains to climb or valleys to traverse. This passage will be non-confrontational, easy to swallow and digest. When yoked with its root it describes a high level area that was molded or fabricated to be that way. This speaks into the doctrines that many ascribe too, a non-confrontational Christianity that does not require inner conformity to the image of Christ.

Confrontational Christianity should not be seen in modern vernacular or current Church practices of confronting social issues. It is not about conforming this realm to line up to our perceived visions of kingdom reality. Confrontational Christianity has more to do with the internal conflicts that arise within us when confronted by the Word of God than it does with the social ills of the world.

If we examine the wide and broad approach to the kingdom in current Church practice,the confrontational Christian position can be readily seen in the desire to eradicate hunger, poverty, and a wide variety of social issues. This stems from our personal desire to ease the suffering of those around about us and is noble in appearance and gratifying to our human spirits. It makes us feel good. It is rooted in a religious mindset that believes if we can get rid of all of these issues then the world will be a better place.

But is that what Jesus called us to do?

Did Jesus call us to change the world?

Did Jesus attempt to change the world?

No.

In fact, there is not one instance in the New Testament where Jesus attempted to change the environment to which he was subjected. Rather than change the environment, He proceeded to stand within it and reveal that he was Christ (anointed). He even made it known on numerous occasions that he had the ability to change the circumstances that he was faced with, but chose rather to fulfill the Fathers will, than please his own fleshly desires.

Jesus came to change the hearts of men. And it wasn't all men that he came to. He came only to minister unto the ones that the Father sent him. This is where our conflict begins! Because we have not applied good and accurate study habits to our search of scriptures, we have easily accepted the wide and broad position to our walk, rather than attempt to press through at the strait gate.

Jesus said: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:14 KJV)

The word 'strait' used here is the word stenos and describes a narrow passage that has many obstacles standing close about it. It comes from the root word histemi, whichmeans 'to stand'. Histemi is also the root that the word cross comes from. When Jesus said to take your cross and follow me, He was actually saying to take your stand and walk like you have seen me walk, in His CHARACTER.

The word narrow is 'thlibo' and means to be crowded with affliction and tribulation. It comes from the root word that is used to describe the rubbing of something raw or to describe the cutting a wheel makes in the soil when it rolls over a place many times; the making of a rut. This narrow place is one of much tribulation. It is not an easy (wide orbroad) place.

It is in our erroneous perceptions of how and why Jesus walked out His season on the earth that causes us to move into the wide and broad way. If we are of the common evangelical position we perceive that much of our calling has to do with changing this environment, making it more palitable to receive the Word of God, more user friendly so to speak. We also assume that God has given us various gifts to do just that. Jesus also dealt a mighty blow to this position.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV)

Many have prophesied in His character. Many have cast out devils in His character. Many have done many wonderful works in His character. Many, many, many...Why would Jesus cast off these well-meaning people from His presence? In appearance, they were doing the right stuff, but what caused this out right rejection? It was because they were not doing the Father's will. They fell into the trap of following the many, rather than being pleasing to the One.

For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14 KJV)

Jesus tells us here that the calling goes out to many; He does not say that it goes out to all. Out of the many that are called, few (not many!) will be chosen. To be called is to be 'kletos'. 'Kletos' means to be invited or appointed. Here Jesus tells us that an invitation has been sent to many, and out of the many invited, a few will be selected.

The word used here for chosen is 'eklektos'. 'Eklektos' comes from the word 'eklegomai' and defines the selecting of someone out of a particular place or circumstance by the laying forth of words in a set and systemic discourse. It speaks of the hearing and understanding what has been heard. In this case it is the hearing of God's word and the application of it. Jesus tells us that few out of the many come to this place.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:4-5 KJV)

In this passage, Jesus launches the outline of the end and begins by addressing the deception that the many will release upon the called. He tells us that many will come in His character or likeness and their purpose, whether known to them or not, is to deceive. It is the appearance of being "in Christ" that will enable them to flourish in our midst. It is in this subtle companionship with erroneous doctrine that deception can thrive; But, remember rule number one. If Jesus said that it is going to happen, than it will and must occur.

In the old covenant a story is told of Korah. Korah rose up against Moses while in the wilderness. Many applicable pictures can be drawn from this interaction that relate to the deception of the end and those who appear to be "in Christ".

Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:

And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? (Numbers 16:1-3)

First, lets look at Korah’s name and lineage. ‘Korah’ means ice and comes from a root word that describes one who makes himself bald. He's the original skinhead! Ice is frozen water and is unable to flow smoothly. This describes one who is unable to move in spiritual matters or understand spiritual concepts and because of this he brings himself to a place of inaccuracy where he is not covered at all.

The scripture tells us that Korah was the son of Izhar. ‘Izhar’ means oil as to produce light and is a figure of one who is anointed. It also tells us that his grandfather was ‘Kohath’, which means to ally one-self. In this case he aligns himself with Dathan and Abiram against Moses to who is a type of the Christ. The final description of his lineage is revealed in his relationship to Levi from whom the Levitical priesthood was derived.

If we assemble all of the ancestral definitions together and apply them to the scenario described above, we get a clearer understanding of the event. We have Moses, Gods called servant, leading the people to a new spiritual dimension. Korah, who has personal issues with flowing in the spirit, aligns himself with the other power players of the twelve tribes. This can be seen in his alliance with the princes, men of renown and the famous. He approaches Moses and challenges his right to lead the congregation into the Promised Land. He, in essence, says to Moses "I'm just as anointed as you! Why should you be the only one who drives?"

Korahs appearance, as one that may have been anointed, along with his ancestral tie-in to Levi may have assisted him in gathering his troops for the confrontation with Gods appointed leader. Korah gathered his many. It says that he took men.

The word used here for took is the Hebrew word ‘laqach’ and describes the carrying or drawing away of something. In this case he drew people away from the truth and it cost them their lives.

Also notice the judgment that befell them in this confrontation was that the earth swallowed them up. Could this be a reflection of the many that are called and are consumed with the deceitfulness of riches and the cares of the world and thereby produce no fruit and are ultimately cast into the fire and destroyed?

When Jesus said that many would come in his character and release deception upon the called, he outlined shortly there after another characteristic that would emerge.

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:10-11 KJV)

He states that many will become offended. In our modem vernacular when we think of someone being offended we perceive someone as being upset with us for something we have done. That is not the case with this particular word. The word offended used here is the word ‘skandalizo’ and means to entrap or trip up and describes one who has been enticed into sin, apostasy or displleasure. In this particular scripture the most applicable usage would be the one of apostasy.

‘Apostasy’ is the taking of a position contrary to Christ. It describes a season when pressure will be applied to us because of His character being exhibited in us. In the pressure of the moment those to whom we thought were with us begin to betray us and take a position against us. It continues to reveal that when this betrayal takes place many false prophets will arise and the deception will increase. From this proliferation of false prophets another unpleasant characteristic materializes.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

(Matthew 24: 12 KJV)

The emergence of the false prophets causes iniquity to abound and love, the primary characteristic of body evidence, to evaporate. Notice the hand in hand operation of iniquity and the dissipation of love. Jesus defined those who had prophesied in his name and had done all the mighty works as workers of iniquity because they had done them of their own volition rather than for the Fathers purpose. The correlation between wrong works and false prophets can be seen in other passages also.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And manyshall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (2 Peter 2:1-3 KJV)

Once again take note that Peter is writing to the church about the church. He is not describing the world infiltrating the body. He is describing the body separatus. He points out that they bring in heretical doctrines that as Peter put it ‘deny the Lord’. To deny does not mean that they refuse to recognize or acknowledge the reality of the Christ. The word used here is the word arneomai and specifically means to contradict. Peter is telling us that they will contradict what Jesus has said and in doing so will bring themselves to destruction.

As Jesus also warned, many will follow. Peter states that many shall follow their pernicious ways and for this reason the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. Pernicious ways describes a path that leads to total destruction: spiritual, physical and eternal.

Peter also informs us that these erroneous doctrines that contradict what Jesus has taught will cause the way of truth to be blasphemed. The world can recognize truth better than the body can at times and with the body being deluded with false doctrine, believing they are right in it, will cause the way of truth to look pretty hokey! This is what evangelical Christianity believes will draw the sinners into the kingdom!

Peter continues and tells us that through covetousness with feigned words they will make merchandise of you. The word ‘covetousness’ used here speaks of a desire for more by use of extortion and fraudulent means. He says that they will accomplish this with feigned words, words that are not true. The word feigned used here is the word ‘plastos’. It is the same word we get plastics from and it speaks of the molding of words into a desired shape to achieve their goals. In this case it is to make merchandise of you. You actually become a product rather than an integral part of the body. It's about the money! Rather, it's about the manys money!

One of the weapons most used by the many to apply pressure on those of different thought is the act of organized/denominational church meetings. The most common expressed today is the Sunday service. Many have ascribed to this mainstream fellowship type of church gathering and many believe that to be the only true fellowship. They believe that the pastor/pastorate system of gathering is biblically based and the only accurate method of Christian expression of worship. One of the scriptures they utilize is from Hebrews 10.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25 KJV)

Their position is erroneous at best and is not based upon New Testament theology, or upon an accurate understanding Christian history. Jesus said,

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20 KJV)

Many have a problem with that!

One of the more serious issues that arise from the current church practice of corporate gathering is the lack of true relationship in the body. It can safely be said that 99% of our relationships in the current system are social or artificial at best. They are based upon acquaintance rather than experience.

Scripture commands us to know those that labor amongst us. It speaks of having intimate knowledge of those that you are yoked with. It is not a passing relationship. In fact, the word know used here comes from a word that means to stare at. It describes the looking at something to the point of discernment.

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 KJV)

We are commanded in Galatians to bear each other's burdens. In the current corporate system this does not occur because the relationships are not formed. There is not a condition of true yoking around each other's lives. And Paul tells us that if this does not occur, the Law of Christ will not be fulfilled.

Staring at the back of someone's head for 2 hours a week does not build the body, as some would have us believe.

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12 KJV)

And many enter in there.....