Anciently, the Almighty commissioned King Solomon to build a structure for Him in Jerusalem which He called His Temple. Among other things this structure would have two courts within its walls where the Jews could assemble and an area outside its walls, called Solomon’s Porch, where Gentiles could gather to hear the Law being read by priests inside.

In those days the teaching of God’s Word was done by word of mouth. The reason for this is that 1) most people were illiterate and, 2) the only places where the Scriptures could be found was in the Temple or in town synagogues. Therefore it was necessary to travel to the Temple or a local synagogue to hear the Truth read.

During that time of almost universal illiteracy, if one wanted to address a large audience he would climb to the roof of his house and proclaim what he wanted the people to hear. This method of information sharing was also used when carrying information from town to town. In order for the word to reach as many people as possible the “town crier” would climb to the highest point possible in the middle of the town and shout out to the people whatever news he had received from outside their geographical area. This practice was also used in the New World until Benjamin Franklin published the first newspaper designed for public consumption. By that time many, if not most people on the continent were able to read. Over time the invention of moveable type and mechanical means of travel resulted in the Word of God being spread throughout the civilized world. A few Scriptures spoke about a time when His Truth (Jn. 17:17) would be made available globally.

As had been the case with Jesus and His apostles in the early days of the church, God’s Word continually caused problems as people were introduced to a man named Jesus whom the apostles claimed to be the Son of God. In Matthew 10:26,27 we find Jesus addressing the subject of spreading His Father’s Truth and the treatment the apostles would experience for spreading it. “Fear them not, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed and hid that will not be made known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak in light, and what you hear in the ear, SHOUT IT FROM THE HOUSETOPS” (vss 16-25). Obviously, the Lord knew that the future would bring incredible changes in the method by which the ministry would be conducted. Today we are enjoying the end results of His knowledge. L.J.