Title: Purification and Testing
Contents
Early morning prayer on April 25th.
Zechariah 13:1-9 Purification and Testing
Today's word is the word of prophecy, that is, the word of prophecy about the coming kingdom of God. However, this prophecy is multi-layered, and although some have been fulfilled, it has not yet been fulfilled. However, it shows well what the kingdom of God that God manages is aiming for and the steps that must be taken to achieve such a kingdom.
So today's verse begins with a future point in time, “in that day.” In 14:1, the day expressed as “the day of the Lord” primarily refers to the end of the world, when the final judgment and war will come, but at the same time it also refers to the transcendent time and space of God's reign.
What happens when that day comes? “A fountain of washing away from sin and defilement will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” A spring was opened for the people, and the purpose of the spring was not for drinking water, but for purification to wash away sin and dirt. What kind of sin and uncleanness are you? In verse 2, God declares, “I will cut off the names of idols from this land, so that they cannot be remembered; It refers to “sin and uncleanness” associated with an unclean spirit.
The results of refining like gold and silver seem really good, but our dilemma lies in the fact that the actual process is a series of pain and suffering. In reality, when we are in the midst of little pain and suffering in our lives, we cry out to get rid of that pain quickly and to end that suffering. Now, in these words, we must hope that our eyes on suffering and suffering will change. I hope that we too will have eyes that actively accept suffering and pain from God's perspective with gratitude. This is because God does not leave us in the filth of idolatry because He loves us especially, and it is the process of refining us to become His holy people.
Finally, when Jesus spoke about the coming of the kingdom of heaven, he promised in Matthew 24: “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. At that time many will fall into temptation and will betray one another and hate one another, and many false prophets will arise and deceive many, and the love of many will grow cold because iniquity will increase. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” Amen. In this age when love is getting colder, I pray that you and I will endure to the end, love God, love our neighbors, and complete salvation.