ambiguity.
8/28/20262 min read
Perfect Day, Saints!
I came from a mega, hyper-grace church that used its massive congregation size, alongside signs and wonders, as proof of God's approval.
This justification stems from biblical accounts of large crowds gathering around Jesus and the apostles to hear the Gospel and be healed.
However, through my own reading of scripture, I have come to see that God often presents different ways to handle a situation, depending on the circumstances.
For instance, the Bible outlines opposing possibilities for dealing with difficult people:
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. (Proverbs 26:4-5 KJV)
When I asked God before about these apparent contradictions, He explained that because multiple options exist, we must have His direct guidance for each unique situation. We cannot merely quote a verse and blindly apply it; we must wait on the Lord to know which path to take.
This same need for discernment applies to how we view large crowds.
While my former church saw numbers as proof of blessing, reality is much more complex. God warns that many will lose their way, and only a few find the true way of the faith.
Furthermore, biblical crowds were not always supportive—frequently, they were angry mobs looking to kill the apostles, not support them.
Even signs and wonders are not exempt from this ambiguity, as they can be orchestrated by Satan rather than God:
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (Mark 13:22 KJV)
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24 KJV)
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:8-9 KJV)
God said that the solution is to pray daily for spiritual eyes to see:
to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith that is in Me. (Acts 26:18 21KJV)
Stay on course in Jesus Christ, amen?