Title: Self-Overcoming and Self-Revolution
Contents
Zechariah (13) Self-overcoming and self-revolution (Zechariah 4:1-6)
< Vision of the Lighthouse of Pure Gold and the Two Olive Trees >
On November 24, in the 2nd year of King Darius, Zechariah sees eight visions at the same time. Among those visions, the fifth vision in the text is called “the vision of a lighthouse of pure gold and two olive trees.” In his vision, Zechariah saw a lighthouse of pure gold, a bowl-like thing on the top of the lighthouse, seven lamps in the lighthouse, seven crowns in the lamp at the top of the lighthouse, and two olive trees on the left and right beside the lighthouse (2-3 section). This vision teaches some lessons about the church.
1. The Church is the Light of the World
The pure gold lighthouse symbolizes the temple that was under construction at the time of Zechariah, and in an expanded sense it symbolizes the church. In the book of Revelation, the seven churches are mentioned as seven lampstands (1:20). Then the ‘lighthouse of pure gold’ implies that the church must shine the light of pure and noble truth. No matter how large a church is, if it pursues church growth with business thinking and expedients and receives criticism from the world, that church is never a blessed church.
2. The Church is Protected by the Lord
The two olive trees by the lighthouse symbolize the governor Zerubbabel and the priest Joshua, but when interpreted broadly, they mean Christ, who holds the offices of king and prophet at the same time. After all, the fact that the lighthouse is among the olive trees is an indication that the church is under the absolute protection of the Lord. Also, the church is most powerful when it is protected by the Lord. Now is the time when power has become like a god. There are even seminar lecturers who say, “The ministry is power!” But if you rely on power alone, it will disappear into the back of history more quickly. The power without God is the power to make it fall faster. God protects the true believers who fear God and seek God's mercy with the hand of power (Psalm 147:10-11).
3. The church must be led by the Holy Spirit.
The word ‘tooth’ in verse 6 refers to the ‘building of the temple’ in Zechariah’s time. In other words, it means that the building of the temple is not done by strength and power, but only by the Spirit of God. As such, the church is not built by money and power, but only by the Holy Spirit, and the soul is most powerful when it is caught by the Holy Spirit alone. Do not get caught up in the church even if it is a church with a great history and tradition, and do not get caught up in the denomination even if it is a denomination that boasts history and tradition. Only hold on to the Holy Spirit.
< Self-overcoming and self-revolution by the Holy Spirit >
The first thing we ask for when we pray is ‘the power of the Holy Spirit for self-revolution.’ The blessing of material and health or the blessing of problem solving are incidental blessings that follow after self-overcoming and self-revolution. All miracles begin with self-revival and self-revolution. If you give up on yourself, God will not help you. Don't give up on yourself. Love yourself maturely and overcome yourself nicely. Such self-overcoming and self-revolution come only through the power of the Holy Spirit, not through our own strength.
In 1980, on the eve of the pre-exam, I went to bed early because the broadcast told the test takers to go to bed early. However, I went to bed late every day because I was studying and went to bed around 9, so I couldn't sleep. I couldn't sleep even after tossing and turning for hours, so my anxiety grew and my nerves became more sensitive. Gradually, I could hear the clock and the radio next door.
It was then that I first realized the fear of insomnia. Gradually, my head and back hurt as well. Eventually, at 4:30 in the morning, everyone in the family woke up, and eventually my mother went to the next door and asked me to turn off the radio. But the radio next door was not turned on. As the nerves become more sensitive, auditory hallucinations occur. Then I fell asleep at 5am and woke up at 6am. You don't know how frustrated I was after the exam that day. Does a person who has never known insomnia all his life develop insomnia? Likewise, if God does not give us one night of sleep, a year of preparation will be in vain.
When God blesses you, you can receive blessings, and when you open the way, the way is opened. Success in life depends on God. No matter how hopeful you are without God, you will eventually become hopeless, but with God, no matter how desperate you are, you will become hopeful. Now have hope in the Lord. Even when people say no, think, “In the Lord it is!” It may not be possible with human strength and power, but it will be with God's spirit.