It has always been of interest to me the “counts” God has in Scripture. Three thousand added to the Lord’s church among many other counts given in Scripture. “Counts” must be important or they would not have been given us in Scripture, and I never understood until the following lesson. I pray it helps you understand as well.
“God would honor those born in Zion. When a census of the people was taken or an enrollment was made, those whose birthplace was Zion would be given special distinction. Some practical truths from the text are:
There is a great distinction for those born into His church, the spiritual Jerusalem. It is God’s house or family – and we are born into it, born again, which is an absolute requirement of the preferential recognition.
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the Truth.”
I Timothy 3:15
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:3-5
In this we enjoy a nobility of birth which neither degenerates nor improves by ancestors – it is strictly personal. Truly, to live nobly and die nobly befits such a noble birth.
God is interested in counts. Luke recorded three thousand were added to the church in one day. We should never depreciate numbers when they apply to people, for every person is an invaluable number.
“Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:41-42
God has a personal and complete knowledge of His people. God’s Book of Life is the spiritual biography of us all. So when the saints go marching in, may we be among that number.” ~ Leroy Brownlow
As we read in Revelation, there will be two Books opened on Judgment day.
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:12-15
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Revelation 21:27
Even the very hairs of our head are numbered as well as our tears. God has a deep, personal and abiding interest in all of His creation; especially His faithful children. May we be in His count in the Book of Life.
“But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7
“Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy Book?” Psalms 56:8
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27-33
Eileen Light