Zechariah’s Sixth Vision
Read Zechariah 5:1-4
The first five visions were uplifting, comforting and restorative. The next two visions addressed what needed to take place before the glory can be fully realized. Sin and wickedness must be removed from the earth.
The scroll represents the written Law of God. During the restoration period, the Jews had a renewed interest in the Mosaic Law. This scroll was large and open for all to read. God’s law said that those who stole (8th commandment – Ex 20:15) and those who swore falsely by the Name of the Lord(3rd commandment – Ex 20:7) would die. This is how sin would be purged from the land. (Deut.28)
The picture the Lord gave was that of Him entering homes to seek out the law-breakers. There would not be any place to hide when God’s judgment went forth. All who oppose God would be consumed. Those who live according to God’s law would reap His promises and blessings.
Matthew 25:31-46 provides the picture of Jesus separating the sheep from the goats at His second coming. The sheep are rewarded for their faithfulness to Jesus, but the goats are rebuked for their false pretense. Their lives were lived for themselves and they deceived others for selfish gain. Many of these claim to honor the Lord with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. They don’t know Him, even though they may go to church. Jesus sent these away to eternal punishment. This day is soon approaching and we need to be mindful of the severity of these words.
Prior to Jesus’ coming, though, these words will be fulfilled in a lesser way. The judgment of God is intended to bring sinners to repentance. God uses the least severe means to reach the greatest number of people at the deepest level of love without violating anyone’s free. God’s judgments are truly acts of His mercy, His desire to cause people to turn to Him for salvation.
We are beginning to see this played out. As we watch what has been happening in America all through this year and even more in these final months before the election, the shaking is very intense. We must be watchful, pray and return to the Word of the Lord as the community of Jews did. The Lord will deal with those that have sought to bring ruin to this nation and to His people. He will visit them. The Lord’s shaking brings fear to those that don’t know Him.
In these last days, we must return to the Lord and His Word. His Word reveals His heart and without knowing Him more intimately, we will not understand the times we live in. His Word holds the keys to life even in the midst of great turmoil. We are at war with the enemy kingdom and we must know our part in the battle. The Holy Spirit is our helper to lead and guide us through the narrow places. For some, getting through the narrow place may be a life or death situation. It is imperative that we learn to clearly hear and respond to the voice of Holy Spirit. Much of the Body of Christ has shied away from or completely rejected the Holy Spirit. Repent and return to receive all that Lord has given for our blessing.
- Pray for a renewed love for the Word of God in yourself and in the Body of Christ; that this generation would hunger and thirst for righteousness. (Psalm 1:2, Psalm 119:140)
- Declare mercy over America. Pray for the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord to come to the people and be received. (Prov 1:7)
- The Bride of Christ makes herself ready for Christ’s return. Pray for the grace to stand, for a pure heart and the spirit of discernment. We must be a people of Truth. Seek Him! (Matt 24:1-14)