The True Gathering

“I will gather [them that are] sorrowful for the solemn assembly, [who] are of thee, [to whom] the reproach of it [was] a burden.” (Zep 3:18 AV)

This promise was for exiled Israel as well as for the remnant who will enter the Messianic kingdom.  Israel was taken into captivity.  The northern ten tribes by Assyria.  The southern two tribes by Babylon.  Jehovah promises that He will gather some of the people of God back to Palestine and into the millennial kingdom.  But there is a stipulation here.  Only those who were or will be sorrowful for a spiritually renewed kingdom.  That is exactly what happened, and it is exactly what will happen.  When Cyrus decreed that people could return to the land of their nativity so that temples could be rebuilt, the invitation went out to all people.  Those of Jewish descent could return to their homeland and rebuild.  Yet a small fraction ever did.  Why?  Because only a small fraction cared enough to go back.  Restoration is promised.  But restoration is not forced.  God will call those who have a burden for restoration, reconciliation, and holiness.  The rest are content to stay in their state of apathy.

We can see a principle here.  One that applies quite well to our churches today.  If the body of Christ is not sorrowful for holiness, then God is not in that place.  If there is little to no preaching on sin, repentance, and walking in humility and obedience, then God is not in the midst.  He has not gathered them.  If there are no tears of remorse, vows of holiness, and a seriousness of mind to love God with the whole heart, mind, body, and soul, then the Holy Spirit is not doing the work.  If all we are doing is entertaining professing believers, then we are a venue, not a body in true worship to her Creator and Savior.  If we are more interested in nothing but a ‘positive vibe’, then our church experience is more man-centered than God-centered.  If the church is more interested in pleasing those who want nothing to do with the LORD than the LORD Himself, no matter how big our congregation is, God is not in that place.  If our coffee shops are busier than the altar of prayer, there is more commerce than consecration in that place.  The body of believers God has gathered come with a seriousness of heart.  They come to know God in humility, faith, and obedience.  They gather not to please Self.  They do not shop around for the church that has everything a soul could want.  Rather, they look for a church that is broken is spirit to know God in the deepest way possible.  They look for a church with a sorrowful heart because sin has destroyed our world, our homes, and our personal lives.  Then come prepared to listen and act.

God did not say ‘no’ to anyone who wished to return for the right reason.  In fact, if the motive did not match God’s heart, those with the wrong heart didn’t want to go, anyway.  There used to be a time when church building methods were more about selling a palatable product that it was about a genuine relationship with the Creator.  It still is today.  Israel knew and knows that the Messiah requires the right heart in order that He can fulfill the promises made to them.  This is why Israel has faced so much.  They are being prepared for the coming of the Messiah.  Many will not turn.  Many Jewish people will refuse the commands of the word of God.  Just like His first coming, the Messiah will come the second time with the same amount of rejection He faced thousands of years prior.  This time, there will be a reckoning.  This time, those who are not sorrowful will lose any second chance.  The Savior will come, and only those Jews who look upon the One whom they have pierced with hearts of sorrow will enjoy His presence.  The same can be said of our churches.  Tomorrow, many of us will gather as groups all around the world to worship the One true God.  But one has to consider how much God is involved.  Are the people sorrowful because of the carnal condition of the church?  Are they moved to words of heartfelt prayer for the backslidden nature of the church?  If there is no brokenness for the body of Christ, there is no visitation of the God who created it.