Occupy Wall Street

We've all watched news reports of "Occupy Wall Street", though we may
not be clear on the purpose of the movement.  Hundreds have been
encamped on Wall Street in New York City for nearly a month,
protesting corporate greed, the source of much of our nation's
financial woes (they claim).

Organized protests need a way to get their messages out.  In the past
that has meant amplification systems, such as a microphone and
loudspeakers or a simple megaphone.  New York City, however, requires
permits for amplified sound in public places, and that, authorities
claim, includes battery-powered megaphones.  And they're not willing
to issue a months-long permit.  How, then, can these protesters
broadcast their message?

The answer is "human megaphones".  One recognized leader will shout
out a message, and the crowd responds in unison with the same words.
Thus the message [THUS THE MESSAGE] of one person's voice [OF ONE
PERSON'S VOICE] can be heard by many [CAN BE HEARD BY MANY] because
many voices unite [BECAUSE MANY VOICES UNITE].

I may or may not agree with the message these protesters are shouting,
but I can't help but think their solution to the challenge is clever.

Yet this method of amplifying messages is not new.  The Lord's church
has been practicing human amplification since its beginning.

The first readers of Paul's letter to the church at Rome were a
diverse group.  There were some from a Jewish background, as well as
Gentiles.  Slaves made up a large segment of the early church and
there were Roman citizens, too.  Paul urged these Christians to be
united: "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-
minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may
with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:5,6).  When many speak with "one mouth", more
people will hear the message.

Every worship assembly of Christians that follows God's will
accomplishes this purpose.  In another letter Paul wrote: "Let the
word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16).  One
person singing "Jesus Loves Me" is nice; dozens of voices singing that
same song in unison send a powerful and uplifting message!

The ultimate demonstration of this principle comes from heaven.  John
wrote about it: "And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great
multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty
thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!'"
(Revelation 19:6).  You cannot doubt that John was impressed with what
he heard.  Though there was a multitude, their message of God's glory
was a "voice"; one voice amplified by a great number of tongues.

Salvation needs to be proclaimed to the entire world.  When voices
from diverse backgrounds are joined together in perfect Christian
harmony, the world is more likely to listen.  That's why Jesus prayed
for the unity of all of His followers (John 17:20,21).  Will we help
answer His prayer?

Timothy D. Hall