Revelations 22:12-21

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Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
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Zechariah 3-6 "By My Spirit"

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READ: Zechariah 3-6.

Verses chosen for meditation: Zechariah 4:6-7.

6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

 

REFLECT

In chapter 4, Zechariah saw a vision of a golden lampstand and two olive trees. The Lord’s message to Jerusalem’s governor, Zerubbabel from the vision was, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” Zechariah’s vision encouraged the governor to finish the Temple rebuilding which he started, not through military strength or human power but by enabling God’s Spirit. 

The rebuilding work then was stalled due to various oppositions. God had wanted to encourage Zerubbabel to know that the Holy Spirit would continually supply his need, just as the oil trees in the vision continually supplied oil to the lamps on the lampstand. 

Oil mentioned here was supplied to the lamps; it is to give light when burning. The olive trees in the vision also speaks about Joshua and Zerubbabel, who represented the offices of priest and king. And the prophecy is that both of which would be fulfilled by Christ upon His return and with His future reign on earth. Through the continual enabling power of the Holy Spirit (symbolised by oil throughout Scripture), Israel (symbolises the church) would be the light, pointing the nations to Christ, the Messiah.

 

RELATE

When God related, “Not by might or by power”, He was referring to the work to be finished not by many or one, or by cleverness, ability or physical strength, but by the Spirit of God. God’s promise is that Temple rebuilding was so massive that seemed like a great mountain, it would be levelled into a plain (v.7). Simply put, enormous tasks can become possible and achievable, if the Holy Spirit is our Divine Helper.

Successful ministry in today’s context has the same purpose and power source as in Zechariah’s day. Collectively and individually, Christians are to be the light in a dark world, pointing other people to the True Light - Jesus. Recently, I read a powerful testimony of an ex-gangster turned believer after his release from prison. He testified His Spirit’s enabling power; being transformed from a life of hopelessness to hopefulness and of vengeance to joy (darkness to light).

Today, the Holy Spirit is able to empower and transform anyone, like you and I! When we surrender completely to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, He enables us in our Christian living and service to Jesus. God doesn’t want us to give Him our best. He wants us to look to Him as the source of our effort. We don’t try our hardest and then turn to God. We turn to God and trust Him to do the work for and through us (“we can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength” - Phil 4:13).

Friends, let us go deep into God’s presence and have us experience His power in bigger ways through our daily encounters. We need not chase after the “spiritual high moments” in the Spirit, but we are also not to reject the genuine experiences of His power.

Finally, may we affirm: We, who are limited, will become extraordinary people when we are one with His Infinite Spirit!

 

REST

Song: “Spirit of the Living God”. https://open.spotify.com/track/4xuToNvDiZHnDQVujjK49s?si=c9d65770bb1c4c63

Vincent

 

 

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