THE SUPREMACY OF THE SPIRITUAL
Zechariah 4:1-7
Morning Meditation 5/3/2014
"And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 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. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it."
This vision of the Candlestick, or Lampstand, teaches us that there is in God's purpose a real and vital relationship between the spiritual and the visible things. Let us look at this vision in connection with--
THE TEMPLE OF GOD AS A WITNESS
The temple was not yet built, but God saw it already as a perfected thing, as the prophet saw the Golden Candlestick--complete with its bowls, and lamps, and pipes; with its oil, and the two olive trees standing by as living, unfailing source of supply for the lamps. This is what the temple of God was to be for His people: a witness for Him.
But a Lampstand is not all that is needed. There must be lamps and a plentiful supply of oil if light is to shine. Without the oil (an emblem of the Holy Spirit) even a golden lampstand might become a stumblingblock. So the message of this vision is: "Not by might, nor by power, but by MY SPIRIT, saith the Lord of Hosts" (vs 6).
Numbers 17:7-8, "And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness. And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds." A dead rod came to life in the tabernacle. It is a witness to God's power to bring life to a dead body in the resurrection. It is also a witness that God can bring life to a dead human spirit and regenerate it by His unlimited power.
The Jews knew that God lived in her midst and was there to lead and instruct them. When the temple was built then the temple became the "Temple of Witness." It is marvelous that God will identify with His people.
The words "Tabernacle of witness" is mentioned five times in the Old Testament and five is the number of grace. God was a God of grace in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament. This truth is also applicable to--
THE CHURCH OF GOD AS A WITNESS
The secret of the Church's power lies in the constant flow of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit, like the oil, comes from the living and abiding Sources, the Father and the Son (John 14:16-18). Let us give heed to Jehovah's warning that this building is not to be reared by mere human might or power, but by His Spirit.
In these days when there are many substitutes for the power of God's mighty Spirit in doing Christian work, we need to be careful that we do not slip into this serious error. Some trust the power of money, some education, some organization, some legislation, and some the power of numbers. None of these are to be despised, but none of them, nor all of them together, can do the work or take the place of the Holy Spirit. None of these can convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. None of these can quicken a dead soul into newness of life and reveal the things of Christ. None of these can clothe the message of the Gospel with power to win souls for Christ. None of these can be a "Comforter" to the troubled spirit or make intercession for us with unutterable groaning. None of these can breathe the breath of life over a valley of dead bones (Ezek. 37:9) and bring them to life. In this great God honoring work it is the SPIRIT that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The secret of the Church's power is the operation of the Holy Spirit. What is true of the Church as a whole is true of the individual life. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts." "Ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto Me" (Acts 1:8). If you are saved, you received the Holy Spirit when you believed. Ephesians 1:13, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"
The Tabernacle in the wilderness and the Church of the living God are two great witnesses to the goodness and saving grace of God.
If you are saved in this age, you need to be in a local Church that preaches the Scripture as it is to people as they are.
May God bless these words to our hearts.
In Christ
Bro. White
