August 31: SPECIAL FORCES (part 3)

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 10:5-6

At Jesus’ first coming, He chose twelve men to reach the nation of Israel. After His resurrection and ascension, He sent the Holy Spirit as promised (Luke 24:49), and with the outpouring of the former rain (the Holy Spirit), the twelve apostles reached thousands during the Pentecost revival. These first converts were all Jews (see Acts 2:5).

Just before Jesus comes the second time, from the time of the outpouring of the latter rain, 12 times 12,000 will reach a great multitude around the world. Scripture tells us this great multitude is converted under the influence and preaching of the 144,000 (see Revelation 7:9). But these are not the only ones Jesus uses to preach in the last days—just as the twelve apostles were only part of the 120 in the upper room who led out in the Pentecost revival (Acts 1:15). And not only did Jesus send out the twelve disciples to preach in Israel, but another time He appointed seventy others also, and sent them two-by-two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go (Luke 10:1). The 144,000 are spiritual leaders in this final revival, not the only ones preaching.

After Jesus ascended into heaven and before the former rain was poured out, the eleven disciples got together for prayer in the upper room where they were staying. They prayed to be in one accord, putting aside their differences. Judas, who had committed suicide, needed to be replaced to restore the number to twelve. As soon as the number was complete, the Holy Spirit was poured out (see Acts 1:26-2:4).

Jesus blessed, trained, and filled with His Spirit twelve people to lead His followers in reaching the house of Israel for His first coming—in fulfillment of the promise outlined in Daniel (see Daniel 9:24). He will next choose 12 times 12,000 to lead His church in reaching the world for His return. Indeed, there will be a great multitude whose hearts are won to Him as a result of this strategic ministry.

The scattering and dissolution of the ten northern tribes of Israel was so thorough that you and I might have traces of Abraham in our family bloodlines. In the physical sense, this could be seen as a fulfillment of Genesis 15:5—descendants as numerous as the stars. But by elevating our viewpoint to the reality of spiritual Israel—a nation of dear souls from every tribe, language, and country who overcome the world along with their Savior—we are given far greater possibilities for a magnificent eternal nation that lives for the glory of God.

And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.” Genesis 17:9