I read the book of Amos recently and the Lord has kept drawing my attention back to a few verses, especially to Amos 9:11. I sense the Lord saying that the reformation of His House is in progress.
““In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory. 12And Israel will possess what is left of Edom and all the nations I have called to be mine.” The Lord has spoken, and he will do these things.” Amos 9:11-12 NKJV
The Lord is well aware of the severe ruin in His House; He knows about the broken walls and breaches. He cares deeply about the pain and grief amongst His children. He is aware of those who have drifted away or have never known who their true Father is.
For some the devastation is so huge that you cannot imagine better days. The pain, loss and grief have been overwhelming. The damage to your church community seems irreparable, or you are exhausted from the years of hard work and no breakthrough. Many have completely given up and no longer fellowship, but things are about to change.
God has not forgotten His church and He has reminded us in His word that He is the God of restoration. He says, “I will restore the fallen House,” “I will repair its damaged walls.” He will not abandon His church or leave us stranded in the ruins. He is returning now to gather up His loved ones to reconcile and restore them to Himself. He promises to restore His House to its former glory.
The Church restored to its former glory is best explained in the book of Acts where the people of God were full of the Holy Spirit, devoted to fellowship, to the word and to prayer. They were in awe of the miracles that the Lord was doing in their community. There was great unity amongst them and they shared their possessions so they all had what they needed.
Nothing is impossible with our God and the bible tells us that it is He who builds His house, not His children. The Lord is promising to rebuild His Church and repair the breaches so the hard work will not be wasted.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1-2 NKJV
The verse the Lord kept reminding me of is Amos 9:11 and not only was I drawn to the promise of restoration and rebuilding of the ruins but also to the reference numbers of 9:11. I thought of the terrorist attack in 2001 that we all think of, but that was not it. So when I looked at what the individual numbers mean, it helped me see what the Lord is saying.
· 9 symbolises divine completeness.
· 11 symbolises disorder and chaos.
· 1 symbolises unity.
I sense the Lord is saying that He will raise His Church out of the chaos and disorder. He will present His church as one with Christ to the world and they will see Jesus with His glorious bride complete in every way, in function, in holiness, in power, anointing and favour.
It is good to remember that the Church is not only the Lords people, who are His precious possession, but also His Bride. Jesus is invested in His Bride; He laid down His life for Her and He is coming back for Her. So this restoration that has been promised will be completed, She will be glorious once again. Just as Jesus rose from the grave, He will cause Her to rise and bring glory to His name.
“The Lord will hold you in his hand for all to see— a splendid crown in the hand of God. Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride." Isaiah 62:3-4 NLT
The Lord is making His bride glorious and powerful. He is preparing Her to receive the children of God who are coming out of this dark world and into His Kingdom of light. Reconciliation is touching Gods’ House; healing rivers are flowing to many who are hurt and broken. His lost children are responding to the Holy Spirits call and they are returning home.
“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house. Shall be established on the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 2:2-3 NKJV
The Lord will rebuild His Church and reestablish it as the centre of communities. This new season will be overflowing with the favour and abundant blessings of the Lord. There will be great provision for all His servants and the joy of the Lord will be in His House.
“The time will come,” says the Lord, “when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine! Amos 9:13 NKJV
The children of the Lord will return home and the Church of Christ will flourish once more and become a great light in the darkness. This is a day of great hope and joy for the Lords people.