Wed.’s Devo - Two Temples

Read: Zechariah 4:1-5:11; Revelation 14:1-20; Psalm 142:1-7; Proverbs 30:21-23 God’s angle awoke Zechariah as from a dream and asked him what he saw. He saw a gold lamp stand with a bowl of oil on top. Seven lamps were around it and two olive trees on either side. The angel explained that the seven lamps represented the seven eyes of the Lord that searched the whole earth. The two olive trees represented the two anointed ones who stood in the court of the Lord of all the earth. These stood for their high priest, Joshua and their political leader, Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the prince of Judah that was sent by Cyrus with Ezra to govern the people. He was determined to build the temple and he would finish his job. It would not be done by his own strength but by the Spirit of the Lord. Then the Lord says a very encouraging thing to us. He said for us not to despise small beginnings for God loves to see us begin. It takes faith to start. That is what God is waiting for us to do so he can empower and help us finish the task, whatever it is. When Zerubbabel sets the final stone in place, the people will rejoice and pray for God’s blessing. Zerubbabel’s name means “seed of Babylon.” His Persian name was Sheshbazzar which means “fine linen in the tribulation.” We are all the seed of Babylon until we are saved but after we are saved we are washed clean and made righteous through our trials. It says of Zerubbabel that not even a mighty mountain could stand in his place. God would make his way plain. That is what God promises to do for us also. Next he saw a flying scroll that curse those who stole on one side and cursed those who falsely swore on the other. This curse was going into everyone’s house who were guilty of doing either of these. Then he saw a basket filled with the sins of everyone through the world. The lid was lifted and a woman was sitting in it who’s name was “Wickedness.” Two women came flying in and took the basket. It would be set in Babylon when they built their temple. Satan always copies what God does. God was building a temple in Jerusalem so Satan began building his temple in Babylon. In Revelation, the Lamb stood on Mt. Zion with the 144,000 which had been sealed with the mark of God on their foreheads. The great choir of heaven burst forth sinning the song of the redeemed. An angel flew through the sky with the Good News proclaiming it to every nation, tribe, languages and people. A second angel brought the news that Babylon had fallen and a third angel followed shouting that anyone who worshipped the beast or his statue or accepted his mark would bring the wine of God’s anger. God’s wrath would be poured out on them. This would mark the time of the greatest tribulation for God’s people. Those who died from this time on would receive a special blessing. The next event was the Son of Man seated on the cloud with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. The command was given to swing the sickle and harvest the whole earth. Those that were ripe for judgment would be trampled in the winepress outside the city and their blood would make a stream about 180 miles long and as high as a horse’s bridle. Lord, thank you for you write the end from the beginning. You have this all planned out and we can trust your goodness and your love.