The day you came in Christ, you have become the possessor of all the blessing in Him. There is no good thing that is not found in Christ. Right from Genesis to Revelation, all the promises of God belong to you everyday of your life. Yet, the Lord showed me Zech 4 as a promise for this New Year. Read and meditate (in depth) the chapter. Every single word in that chapter must be fulfilled in your lives this year. This chapter beautifully describes what God thinks about His church.
An angel of the Lord woke up Zechariah as though he had been sleeping and showed him beautiful golden lamp stand in a vision. There was a bowl of oil on top of the lamp stand. Around the bowl were seven lamps, each one having seven spouts with wicks. The golden oil was flowing from the two olive trees and supplying oil to all the forty nine spouts. The flow was non stop.
Then
God said, "Not my might, nor by strength but by my Spirit"
From this
vision, the word of God for today's church is revealed. The lamp stand denotes
the church of God (Re.1:7). This year the Lord will reveal Himself and open
His heart to His church as never before. Even a simple believer can clearly
hear the voice of God. Yearn to listen to Him. May the Lord enlighten your eyes
and reveal His mighty secrets. Here, an angel woke up Zechariah and asked, "What
is it that you see?" Zechariah said that he saw the golden lamp stand very
clearly. He repeatedly enquired the meaning of the vision saying, "Lord what are
these? What do they mean?" The angel asked back, "Don't you know" and explained
everything in detail. This year, the Lord expects that His church must
enquire of Him for all the plans. (Ze. 4:1, 2, 5, 11-14).
The saints of the Old Testament heard the voice of God and saw many dreams and visions. Some even had the privilege of seeing God face to face. But, you are the most privileged person, you are in Christ. You have been given special eyes to see what many prophets and saints have not seen and ears to hear what they did not hear (Mt.14:16,17; Mk.4:13). Since you are His sheep, you can hear your Shepherd's voice and follow His footsteps. Since you are His body, you can be wonderfully and meticulously led by Christ, your head, even for minute details. Since you are His child, you can recognize and obey your father's voice.
2008 is a year of receiving enormous revelations. You will begin to see many things through your spiritual eyes. You will know the magnificence of the bible. You will receive guidance for each and every day of your life. He will lead you. He will keep His eye upon you and counsel you. Expect it. Wait upon the Lord. Never take one step forward without hearing Him. When He leads you, do not be like a restless camel, nor like a wild donkey, sniffing the wind nor like the hasty horse. Instead be like the sheep to hear and obey His voice (Je.2: 23, 24).
The lamp stand that Zechariah saw also denotes the life of testimony for the church. The Lord wants to transform you as a mighty church that can light the gentiles. You will shine like the city on the hill top. No longer shall your light be hidden. The Lord will light up and place you on the lamp stand. You will be a witness to your church and nation. Not just the word of your testimony but your very life will be a good witness. The Lord will brighten your light like the day (Mt.5:14-16).
The Holy Spirit will cast His light upon the dark and confusing areas of your life. When you accepted Christ, you have become light in Him. In fact, you are the children of light (Ep 5:8). The glory of God that shines in your spirit will change your confusions and penetrate into dense darkness in your home and make you shine. "The Lord has lit my lamp. He has turned my darkness into light (Ps.16:28). When the Lord becomes your light, you will not be afraid of the spirits of darkness (Ps 27:1). This year, the Lord will expose all that is hidden in the dark areas of your life, in your house and in the church. Ananias and Sapphira will be exposed.
You will see God's glory shining brighter in this year. Since that glory is manifested from within you, multitudes will come to your light (Is.60:1-5).
The lamp stand that Zechariah saw was fully made of pure gold. It was like the lamp stand found in the tabernacle, made of pure, hammered gold (Ex.25:31, 36).
Gold does not refine on its own. It has to go through a process of purification. It has to be purified with fire (I Pe.1:6, 7). The early church was purified through trials and temptations. Similarly, your precious faith will also be tested. At every stage of your life, your faith will be tested and then shine brightly. Christian life is a journey of faith from the womb to the tomb. Every time your faith is tested, you will be pure gold. Your value will increase. This year, the Lord wants to grow your faith. For everything, you must learn to walk by faith and not by sight. The Lord will test you and purify you (Is.48:18). Those who are not purified by His word will be purified through trials and sorrows. (Is.48:10)
Gold denotes divinity. The Lord has filled his church with divine nature. But that is yet to be manifested completely and is covered by flesh in some areas. The Lord will not tolerate it anymore. Divine nature should manifest through us and by the church today so that the world will marvel at us. This alone will attract the world towards Christ.
The golden oil is poured to the golden lamp stand through golden tubes. Exactly the same way, the divine nature is flowing in you constantly. The Holy Spirit will destroy anything that defiles the golden oil. Allow Him/ Permit Him.
We saw that the lamp stand was fully made of pure gold. The golden oil was being poured out lavishly from the two olive branches. This oil was supplied ceaselessly to all the seven lamps and the forty nine spouts.
This shows divine supply/ provision. Gold and silver denotes the financial prosperity also. Listen to what Eliezer says about his master, Abraham. "The Lord has blessed my master richly; he has become a great man. The Lord has given him flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, a fortune in silver and gold and many servants and camels and donkeys." (Ge.24:35).
The Lord who made Abraham a great man is your own daddy. You are His descendants. The financial prosperity does not only belong to the Old Testament descendants but also to you, because "the real children of Abraham are those who put their faith in God." They are blessed with Abraham (Ga.3:7-9). You are the spiritual children of Abraham. It is God's desire that you should be rich and be a great person. The Lord will meet the finances for all that you have purposed to do for God this year.
The rich and prosperous king Solomon built the temple of God with gold. When that was demolished/ destroyed, God raised Zerubbabel to rebuild it again. The riches of Babylon were used to build God's temple. God has promised, "Silver is mine and gold is mine. The glory of the later house shall be more than the glory of the former house" (Ha.2:8, 9).
The same Lord will miraculously supply all the finances that you need to accomplish His task. The earth and its fullness belong to your dad. Why should you be distressed for financial constrains? Don't worry! Abundant riches shall abide in the house of the righteous (Pr.15:6). Are you not made righteous by the blood of Christ?
The blessing of the Lord makes rich and he added no sorrow with it (Pr.10:42). Are you not blessed in Christ? Will the riches that he gives add sorrow to you? He became poor to make you rich (II Co.8:9). Should you not enjoy this grace? The nations of the world and the unbelievers are marching ahead towards financial prosperity. Is it God's will that the church and His people live in lack, poverty, in a hut and in a rented building? The Lord promises financial prosperity this year. It is up to us to possess it.
The Word of the Lord came to His prophet who stood wonder struck on seeing the golden lamp stand, golden oil, golden tube, olive trees, etc. "This is what the Lord says to you Zerubbabel: It is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (Ze.4:6) Living for God or accomplishing anything for God cannot be done by human strength, talents, wisdom. It is purely the anointing that completes it. Nothing else! Man did not pour oil for the lamp stands. This oil neither came from a vessel or grinding mill. The olive branches were directly supplying oil to the lamps. Similarly, you need the anointing oil of God for every second of your life. You need the help of the Holy Spirit in each and every area of your life.
In these last days, the mighty flood of the Holy Spirit will surely increase and never decease. The Holy Spirit has risen to do mighty exploits through His saints. This is the time of the Holy Spirit. When evil spirits and wickedness increases, will not the Holy Spirit rise to oppose in a tremendous speed. If you diligently desire to operate in His gifts, the golden oil will gush forth. The Holy Spirit was upon your leader Jesus, beyond measure. The Holy Spirit who gives wisdom, strength, counsels, fear of God rested upon Him. The same anointing is also resting on you as you are His body. His wisdom will be manifested through you. His knowledge and might will be manifested through you. Do you know the greatest decision you need to make in this year? Do not act upon any counsel without asking the Holy Spirit. Do not dare to lean out of the protecting cover/blanket of the Holy Spirit. Do not trust the strength of man.
The strength of Pharaoh and the shadow of Egypt … (Is.30:1-3). You will be disgraced and humiliated. You will never be saved by your bow, arrow, horses, sword and warrior but by the Spirit of the Lord God alone, you will be delivered (Ho.1:7). As you live in the age of the Holy Spirit, do not waste your life by leaning on your understanding or trust your strength or seek man's favor. The Holy Spirit is building His with zeal. Join Him in building the church.
The Holy Spirit helps you with His strength and might, no mountain can stand against you. Whatever appears as a great mountain will disappear as a tiny mole. When you begin to accomplish great things for God, all your challenging mountains will be flattened, crooked paths made straight (Is.40:4). What is it that is threatening you? What are the dark clouds that darken your vision? What is that big mountain? Is it a family problem, financial problem, sickness, lack of holiness, opposition from others, unfaithful co workers, laws that oppose you, unnecessary delay, broken relationship, fault finding angry officials (Ezra chapters 4 &5, Haggai chapters 1& 2) All things will flatten right before you. Your human/ fleshly zeal cannot accomplish it. The mighty strength of the Holy Spirit will make it possible. Be bold! This year the mountain shall be melted. Mind it and claim it.
"The hands of Zerubbabel laid the foundation. He will set the final stone." This word of God will quickly be fulfilled this year. Whatever you have begun for God, you will be able to finish it this year. The same hands that laid the foundation will bring the corner stone. What the Lord has said through His mouth, His hands will do it (II Kings : ). The Israelites laid the foundation for the temple in Jerusalem with great joy.
The people gave a great shout and praised the Lord (Ezra 3:8-13). Their enemies were perplexed on hearing it. They opposed them to hinder the temple from being rebuilt. They went to the extent of framing new laws against them. They vehemently and violently tried to stop the word (4:1, 2, 4-8, 23, 24). At that time, the Lord sent His prophets Haggai and Zechariah (Ze.5:1, 2). The construction work began. Rebuilding resumed. The Lord was watching over them (5:5). The laws became favorable. The Jewish leaders built it. They completed the building. It was dedicated very jubilantly with great joy (Ez.6:14-16).
The Church of God will build many buildings this year. Churches construction will be completed. Just as the worldly people construct, the children of God will build huge buildings for God. Hindrances will be hindered. Ruins shall be repaired. Heaps of destruction will become the King's palace. (Je.31)
Whatever the Lord began, He will complete. Many who stopped with the foundation celebration will rejoice in the dedication celebration (Ze.4:6-9). Place your finger on this scripture and claim it repeatedly.
In the Bible, the number 'eight' denotes new beginnings .The Lord will enable you to see many new beginnings in 2008. The Lord rejoices to see the plumb line in Zechariah's hand. You will see small beginnings. Just as the lamp stand shines with many spouts and wicks, the Lord will transfer his anointing upon many. On the day of the Lord, your people will serve you willingly, arrayed in holy garments, your vigor will be renewed each day like the morning dew (Ps.110:3).
Many new churches will be formed. Many new dimensions will be added in your ministry. Just as the rod of Aaron budded, brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms and yielded almonds, the anointing of God will make many new ..… to blossom (Nu.17:8). The children of God will take root, blossom and bud and fill the face of the world with fruit (Is. 27:6).
May the Lord guide you, increase your riches, fill you with His divine nature and shine His glory upon you, change you as an ever burning lamp and enable you to finish the hindered task, give you many new beginnings and make you shine. May He enable you to cling to the Holy Spirit and know his might. May the Lord bless you with a brilliant and sparkling New Year.