This month on the New Bus we are focusing in on a special topic …
The number 30 is quite significant throughout Scripture. It speaks of maturity and the fullness of one’s ministry and calling. Joseph was 30 years old when rose to the right hand of Pharaoh and reigned over Egypt. David was 30 when he became king over the nation of Israel. And of course, Jesus was 30 when He stepped into His full calling.
A few months ago, something very important just turned 30 as well… The Internet. We believe this signified a major turning point; that the Internet is also coming into its full calling and purpose. Everything up to this point has been early adolescent development: the transitional awkwardness of early versions of Google, the puberty-like cracking voice of dial-up, etc… Now, with the advent of social media and the appropriate level of bandwidth to handle video and audio communications, the Internet has reached a point of maturity. This isn’t to say that it won’t mature further, but it is now ready to step into its greater purpose…
Did you know the Internet has a greater purpose? Like anything else, the Internet can be used for good or evil. It is a neutral entity. However, its ultimate purpose is divine.
Certainly, one of its main purposes is to connect the physical world in a way that was never dreamed possible. Yet it has been unknowingly constructed for “such a time as this” for a higher mission than anything else . . . the spread the Gospel of the Kingdom. In that regard, it is likened to another piece of world-changing technology that came out about 2000 years ago . . .
In the decades leading up to the birth of Christ, the Roman Empire had built and slowly perfected a system of technology that connected the world like never before. It was the “Roman Road System.” This was a major technological leap for humanity that bridged people and ideas together at an accelerated rate. It was in the context of this maturing technology that Christ was birthed and the Gospel was released across the world. In the Gospel, humankind was reintroduced to their Creator—and to their true and original identity as the sons and daughters of God. The world would never be the same.
I understand this is a heavy statement to make, but we are on the verge of another similar epoch of time. We are approaching a new era of the spread of the Gospel and this time it will focus on the birth of “Christ in us, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Christ still wants to be born in His people, manifested and revealed with unprecedented love and authority.
And so, a new Roman road system has been constructed. Instead of stones and cement, this is a digital highway that is paved with 1s and 0s. This one goes a lot further than the Roman one ever did. It can curve right into boardrooms, bedrooms, and throne-rooms; there are few places the Internet cannot reach.
Now, it’s not a coincidence that internet regulation and shutdowns have been markedly increasing. Europe is trying to enact legislation that would substantially slow down the spread of information on the internet. Nations that have dictatorships and a heavier hand over their people’s technology are increasing the amount of government-sanctioned shutdowns… This is all part of a spiritual resistance to slow down what’s about to be carried across the nations.
Like the Roman road system of the era right before Christ was born, this digital highway has been growing and strengthening; but now we are approaching a new “birth.” There will be birth pangs along the way, but nothing will stop the ultimate purposes of heaven. The Roman road system was used for horrible amounts of evil, such as human trafficking and war, and the Internet is being used for similar ends. However, this will not eclipse its work of serving the greater purpose of the Holy Spirit, which involves the birthing of the full revelation of Christ in us.
This message has been building for some time, but we are about to see a greater manifestation and maturity of God’s children as they awaken to their union with Christ. Coinciding with this will be a purer and more redeemed understanding of the Gospel of our Good Father and humanity’s inclusion in the finished work of Christ. New messengers of grace will travel physical and digital highways just as they did 2000 years ago heralding the birth of the Savior.
Elisha’s Riddle was launched on the same month the internet turned 30 and we are giving ourselves to this same purpose—to unveil the glory of God, and the message of the risen, indwelling Christ. We can’t wait to see all the remarkable things that God is going to do throughout the nations. The world will never be the same!