In another occasion, YAHSHUA chose and appointed seventy others and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two into every town and place where He Himself was about to come (Luke 10:1). He sent them out with the challenge, saying, The harvest indeed is abundant, but the farmhands are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. He presented the need and then the reality of what they were going to face (vs 2-3). The instructions were that of the same He gave to the apostles, adding to the need to redeem the time; He said, refrain from saluting and wishing anyone well along the way; they were to stay in the same house; not moving from house to house; upon not being received by a town, they were to shake even the dust of their feet, as a sign against them. But the message of the kingdom was to be uttered: The kingdom of God has come close to you (Vs.4-11). These disciples were representing the ministry of John the Baptist, who came before YAHSHUA to prepare the way for the Lord. The number seventy is of great importance in the past and future histories of Israel. The seventy disciples sent out by YAHSHUA, represented the nation and the command for it to preach the Gospel to the entire world. It is the Gospel of YAHSHUA Messiah that can defeat Satan and his demons. We must continue spreading the Gospel and fighting against the evil forces. When the disciples returned, they came filled with joy saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name! YAHSHUA then responded: I saw Satan falling like a lightening from heaven. Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power that the enemy; and nothing shall in any way harm you (Luke 10:17-18). Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven, YAHSHUA told them (Luke 10:20). This was key for them to realize. Not only were they empowered with God’s power, but they were chosen and destined for heaven, a more excellent reason to rejoice. YAHSHUA, in that same hour rejoiced and gloried in the Holy Spirit and said, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have concealed these things from the wise and understanding and learned, and revealed them to babes. Yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will and choice and good pleasure (vs. 21). Satan’s future defeat is prophesized in the words of YAHSHUA when He said, I saw Satan falling like a lightening from heaven. Yes, the time will come when he will be stripped of power against YAHSHUA’S church and be judged forever.
Imagine, YAHSHUA’S church dressed up with the full armor of God, filled with power, standing firm, holding her ground to fight her enemy in these evil days! Wouldn’t it be awesome? But unfortunately, YAHSHUA’S church today is almost dead. She can’t hear the Holy Spirit, she is blind to read the instructions how to live a life to please Him and be filled with power; she is crippled for sitting too long on those comfortable church’s pews, and in front of computer and TV. She is for the most part, defeated and does not know it. Lukewarmly, she finds herself accepting all kinds of gods in whatever religion. The church of Laodicea has lost all to follow the world’s comfort. It cannot challenge the world and its life style, when it is living the same way. There is nothing for her to challenge. As a result, YAHSHUA will vomit her out of His mouth. The message that the disciples took to the world has been water down to conform to the life style of today’s church. The words they preach are without power and authority. This is the reason why demons found a comfortable seat in churches. They came in many forms of religion: as New Age, masons, Mormon, Jehovah Witness and more, becoming one world religion at the agreement of YAHSHUA’S supposed church. Some pastors have even joined the ecumenical movement. YAHSHUA rebukes the church of Laodicea with these words: I know your works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth! For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore, I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be wealthy and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see (Rev. 3:15-18). There is yet time for the church of Laodicea to repent and be welcomed in heaven. There is, however, in the midst of this church a remnant ready and waiting to be welcomed by her Lord at His trumpet sounding. May He find us faithfully serving Him, keeping and treasuring His word in obedience to Him until the end.
Light from the Word 