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President Trump declares that no more than 10 people should gather together because of the COVID-19 virus
This is similar to what the Bible describes in various passages: no more than about 10 people per home (we see the context of the number that could gather around the dinner table and the fact that most homes in that era were small in size), so that each member can use their ministry, but God’s set order has been ignored. So, he shut down churches and has forced believers to meet in their homes – and tithe-free: “And continuing with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they shared food with gladness and simplicity of heart.” Acts 2:46.
God is in this calamity today: “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17. Hence he is trying to snap people out of their comas in hopes that Christians will wake up and see the spiritual benefits of having small groups for church with God in charge of them and not exalt “one man” anymore: “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your spiritual father. And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be a servant, but those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12
In the Bible, people met in the temple, but Jesus ended that, saying “‘Do you see all these things?’ he asked. ‘Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’” Matthew 24:2. (The Titus and Roman armies then razed it to the ground in 70 AD, completely destroying it.) So, people met in their homes. Moreover, Jesus told the Samaritan woman that neither in this mountain nor in the temple in Jerusalem would you worship God, but that God would have men worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:21-24.
To have Jesus in his rightful place would explode into a great awakening. What a wonder that would be, a novel experience for the body of Christ, but we’ll see.
~Devon Leesley
Look up: 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, Acts 2:46, 5:42, and Romans 12
