Prisoners of Hope

Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee; Zechariah 9:12 (KJV)

A stronghold is not just a word used for a fortress. It is also a word used for a treasury, a store house, or a vault where valuable items are kept safe and secure.

Once born-again, once we have embraced the Christ of God as our personal Lord and Savior, entering in to a covenant relationship with Him, we are possessors of God’s riches in glory by Christ Jesus:

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

We are “prisoners of hope;” that is, we are bound ('aciyr) to hope (tiqvah), filled with expectation for the thing longed for and the outcome committed to by salvation’s covenant promise.

When we have moved away from our promised possession through the ignorance of a lack of teaching or neglect, we are beckoned to “Return” (shuwb), or to be restored in order to recover that which was lost.

Many times we do not appropriate what Christ died to provide because of the deceits of the Devil. He is the thief and always comes to steal:

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (KJV)

Jesus, however, came to give life, and life more abundant. By His Spirit He calls to us in love:

Return to the stronghold [of security and prosperity], you prisoners of hope; even today do I declare that I will restore double your former prosperity to you. Zechariah 9:12 (Amp)

As we respond to Him, He restores a second order (mishneh) or double of what was lost. It is never too late.