Introduction

The concept of God's Gathering is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting God's desire to bring His people together for worship, protection, and fulfillment of His divine purposes. This gathering can be seen in various contexts, including the assembly of Israel, the gathering of the Church, and the eschatological gathering at the end of times.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, God's Gathering is often associated with the nation of Israel. God called Abraham to be the father of a great nation, and through his descendants, He gathered a people for Himself. This is evident in the Exodus narrative, where God gathers the Israelites from Egypt to bring them to the Promised Land. In Exodus 19:4-6 , God declares, "You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

The gathering of Israel is also a recurring theme in the prophetic books, where God promises to regather His people from exile. In Isaiah 11:12 , it is written, "He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth." This regathering is not only a physical return but also a spiritual renewal, as God promises to restore His people to a right relationship with Him.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of God's Gathering expands to include the Church, the body of Christ. Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, gathers believers from all nations into one spiritual family. In Matthew 18:20 , Jesus states, "For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them." This gathering is characterized by unity, love, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

The apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in Ephesians 1:9-10 , where he writes, "And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ." The Church is seen as the fulfillment of God's plan to gather all things under the lordship of Christ.

Eschatological Gathering

The ultimate fulfillment of God's Gathering is eschatological, pointing to the end times when God will gather His people for the final consummation of His kingdom. This is vividly depicted in the book of Revelation, where the gathering of the saints is portrayed as a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne of God. Revelation 7:9 describes this scene: "After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands."

The eschatological gathering also includes the final judgment and the separation of the righteous from the wicked. In Matthew 25:31-32 , Jesus speaks of this gathering: "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats."

Conclusion

The theme of God's Gathering is a testament to His sovereign plan and His desire for a people who are united in worship and purpose. From the calling of Israel to the formation of the Church and the ultimate gathering at the end of times, God's Gathering reflects His redemptive work throughout history and His promise of eternal fellowship with His people.