Every ministry wishes it had more financial resources, but we must reach a level of maturity where we recognize that God can accomplish as much as He wants regardless of our material assets. We do not need to beg for money or sponsors in order to accomplish things for God.

Perhaps we are personally destitute and must beg for our own food, but the New Testament says in such cases a man should work at regular labor to earn a living. We should never have to ask for money for God’s Work. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.”  All ministries should learn to operate within their means so that they do not have to ask anyone for money. Whatever we have the ability to do, we can do as the Lord directs. If God has not already provided the means to accomplish something, then it may not be His will for us to do it – or, He intends for us to pray for the task to reach completion by a series of miracles. Many people have locked into the mentality that praying for miracles to sustain the ministry means God will miraculously provide generous donors – that is, money. Is it not possible that God could accomplish His Great Work without any money, but rather by other miraculous interventions? Is that not the pattern in the Bible? Where in the Bible did God accomplish a step in His project by providing money? Is there any example? Peter found a coin in the mouth of the fish to pay an unrighteous religious tax, not to advance the Kingdom of God.

Maybe Nehemiah’s temporary operating budget from the Persians…but there is not much evidence that Nehemiah ever used it. His real prayer was that he would have the freedom to take leave from his position to rebuild Jerusalem (to work for a few months at manual labor there).  Anyway, the common practice today of praying for financial miracles for ministries seems completely absent from the Bible.  God consistently used other types of miracles to carry out His will.  Why are financial miracles absent from the Bible, but everywhere sought today?

The book of Zechariah originated sometime after the Israelites returned from the Babylonian exile– during Nehemiah’s lifetime. There was much work to do. The city had to be rebuilt, and especially the temple. In our days, there is also much work to do; the Lord is bringing His age of salvation to a conclusion.

THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD – Those who are faithful to the Lord know His Word. We can discern His Project for His people. “So he said to me” – God still speaks to us today.

TO ZERUBBABEL – This was the governor of Israel at the time. Israel was not an independent nation, but rather a province that was passing through the hands of various world empires. The name of this governor literally means “sown in Babylon” or “born at Babel [Babylon]“. He was born during the Babylonian captivity. Zerubbabel was described as the son of Shealtiel. He was also an ancestor of Jesus Christ. In this, we see God still preserving His people. Our kingdom is not of this world.

From an earthly standpoint, it was a sad state of affairs for them, and a continuing point of frustration up and through the time of the gospels. Israel wanted independence, but could only see things through a human perspective. They would not accept Jesus during His first coming, because they were expecting an earthly powerful kingdom. Yet He was the true King of Kings.

NOT BY MIGHT NOR BY POWER – In the Work of God, we do not rely on material resoruces or our human talents. We do not need money or political influence to fulfill God’s will. We need only the Lord.  We obtain His power through prayer and humility.

BUT BY MY SPIRIT – God’s Holy Spirit directs all the work to be done. God desires to work in our hearts, and transform our lives in accordance to that of Christ Jesus. God desires to use as instruments to bring others to His Kingdom.

SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY – God is powerful and almighty. All our strength and joy come from Him alone.

Zechariah 4:6 (KJV) “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Zechariah 12:3 (NIV) – “On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.”

Jerusalem is one of the most well known cities in the Bible.  It is mentioned many times in both the Old and New Testaments.  Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the city was under the control of the Jebusites (a tribe of Canaanites) who called it “Jebus” rather than “Jerusalem.”  The Jebusites were one of the seven nations that God drove out of the Promised Land before the Israelites.  This was all part of the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.

It was near here that Abraham received a substitute to sacrifice to save his son Isaac.  It was from here that the mysterious figure Melchizedek brought spiritual blessings to Abraham, with bread and wine.  It was here that God had always planned for his Temple to be built, and for His Son Jesus to reign in majesty.

Throughout history Jerusalem has been the site of many famous battles.  In general Israel has been placed in the middle of a lot of global events throughout history,  Israel has passed through the hands of many famous, now fallen, empires.  At one point it was under the control of the Babylonians, later the Perisans, Greeks, and Romans.  In the case of the Romans, the prophetic words of Jesus proved true when He said “not one stone will be left upon another” (Matthew 24:2).  This happened in 70 AD when the Romans destroyed the city.  After that time, until 1948, Israel was without a homeland of their own, scattered abroad.

ON THAT DAY – In these last days, Jerusalem continues to be a city at the center of world events.  Once again she is inhabited by Israelites.  These events are one of the many signs that Jesus is coming back.  First, He will Rapture the Church to spare her from the judgment that is coming upon the world.  The city of Jerusalem will play a part in those events.  In the course of these events a faithful remnant of Israel will come to embrace their true Messiah, Jesus Christ.  The Faithful Church meanwhile will be celebrating the Wedding Supper of the Lamb in eternity.

WHEN ALL NATIONS ARE GATHERED AGAINST HER – Today we see these events beginning to come together.  Many armies from many nations are now stationed in this region of the world.  Little by little, the world is turning against this tiny nation.  The issue is not only about land or natural resources. It is also a religious conflict.  Even behind the religious conflict and the quarreling over land rights and oil, there is a spiritual battle with unseen forces at work behind the scenes.  This last great battle will be a religious one.  The unfaithful church – nominal Christianity – is also turning against Israel.

I WILL MAKE JERUSALEM AN IMMOVABLE ROCK FOR ALL THE NATIONS – There is no human-political solution that will bring peace in the Middle East.  The only one who can bring true peace is Jesus Christ.

For a time, the Antichrist will pretend to be the Messiah, will seem to bring a temporary peace.  During these events he will be secretly setting a trap for Israel.  Even so, a faithful remnant will be preserved by the Lord.  During this time, they will embrace the true Jesus Christ, who will save them in their distress.  Nothing can stand in the way of God’s plan.  The victory has already been determined.

ALL WHO TRY TO MOVE IT WILL INJURE THEMSELVES – Our churches are not interested in politics or taking positions on who is right or wrong in the Middle East today.  For the faithful church, these events are a confirmation of what we already know: Jesus is coming back!  On one hand, it is sad to see so much pain and suffering.   On the other hand, these events, though painful to watch, are fulfillment of prophecies.  Scripture must be fulfilled.  There is no point in taking sides.  We would merely bring harm on ourselves if we do this.  Our prayer should simply be for Jesus to return as soon as possible.  God is for us, and we are for God.  We want His will to be done.  We want Him to return, and bring the peace that the world cannot possibly achieve on it’s own.  Maranatha!

Zechariah 12:3 (KJV) “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it… ”

Zechariah 3:1-7 - “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?’

“Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”  Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.” Then I said, ‘Put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.  The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here…’ ”

Joshua in his filthy garments represents man in his natural state (all are sinners and fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23). The filthy garments speak of our lives stained by sin and its consequences, causing man to live in disarray, without peace and without aim. Clothes refer to our testimony or overall lifestyle. Jesus said, “Be dressed and ready for service…” (Luke 12:35); see also Revelation 3:18, where he said, “Buy from me white garments for you to wear...”

The faithful church does this: “They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.” (Revelation 3:4). Jesus also told a parable about an unfaithful Christian cast outside the Wedding Feast of the Lamb for failing to have wedding garments, that is, transformed behavior. (Matthew 22:11-14).

Jesus does the same thing for us today. He gives us a transformed life. The Bible uses new garments as a symbol of the sanctified life that the Holy Spirit produces in his faithful servants. See also Isaiah 61:3-10, where it describes how God gives us “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair,” and says that He “has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

The enemy is always there to keep him under his power. The name “Satan” is really the Hebrew word for “an accuser” (see also Job 1:6-12). This passage vividly depicts the process. God’s initiative concerning our salvation is apparent when He rebukes the enemy and chooses Joshua. The choice is the same as the election. God has chosen us since eternity to pluck us away from the fire of condemnation.

In salvation, God removes our filthy garments (the removal of our sins) and replaces them with new clothes. The new garments are the garments of salvation. God also starts to change our mentality, represented by the clean turban placed on Joshua’s head. Our filthy thoughts fade, replaced by thoughts focused on the things that are above (Colossians 3:2); our mind becomes set on God’s project and His Work.

Salvation is both an instant in time and a process, a new Way for us to follow. Thus we see the conditional statement: “If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command”. Our obedience to the Lord is the proof of a living faith. He saves us as long as we remain on the Way through obedience to the Lord’s commands.

Salvation is supposed to be a transforming experience for our lives (Romans 12:1-2). It should deeply affect every area of our lives, and be visible in our outward behavior (symbolized by the garments). It is interesting that in this passage the high priest is the symbol of the need for a transformation. God uses this example to show us that merely being religious – even holding a religious office or having a ministry – does not automatically mean that we have salvation. We need his cleansing. In the Gospel of John, there is a story where Jesus met privately with a well-respected Jewish religious leader of his day – Nicodemus (See John 3:1-16). Even though Nicodemus was deeply religious and had a terrific reputation, Jesus told him that he needed to be “born again.” (John 3:3). Being religious did not exempt him from the need for New Birth, a genuine conversion experience that transforms our lives (as in 2 Corinthians 5:17).  God wants to save each of us, cleansing us completely.

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