Zechariah 13- Cleaning House

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“In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.  “It shall be in that day,” says the LORD of hosts, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land.  Zechariah 13:1-2

In a continuation of Chapter 12, where Christ returned to save Israel, and all of Israel mourned over Jesus as the Son of God pierced on the cross! And the Holy Spirit was poured out, the remnant of promise is fulfilled. (Romans 11) 

So now God is going to “clean house” in Israel literally, Christ not only wiped away the sins of Israel as prophesied “All Israel shall be saved” (Romans 11:26) Christ will also remove the idols, the false prophets and false religion. Jesus will cleanse Israel from their depravity and fulfill his promises in the New Covenant

“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— Jeremiah 31:31

It shall come to pass that if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who begot him will say to him, ‘You shall not live, because you have spoken lies in the name of the LORD.’ And his father and mother who begot him shall thrust him through when he prophesies. Zechariah 13:3

The name of Jesus, the name above all names (Philippians 2) causes division wherever it is mentioned. Just as Christ said “ I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34) The truth of Christ will bring division among the households in Israel, as it has brought division among homes since the resurrection

Jesus will separate the Wheat from the Tares, the Sheep from the Goats, The wise and the foolish brides, the gospel of Jesus Christ is a sword because its the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)

“And it shall be in that day that every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies; they will not wear a robe of coarse hair to deceive.  But he will say, ‘I am no prophet, I am a farmer; for a man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.’  And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’  Zechariah 13:4-6

The false teachers and false prophets are now exposed, the light of the gospel has exposed the darkness (Ephesians 5:11) And because of this, false teachers will do what they do best, they will lie about their identities, they will lie about their religion, but they will stand before The Lord in judgement

As Jesus warned us about these decievers ““Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. “ (Matthew 7:15)

Christ will save and restore His remnant of Israel, many will deny or hate this including the Church, however this also fulfills prophecy “On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her “ (Zechariah 12:3)

Are You Baptized in Christ?

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Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  Romans 6:4

Are you baptized in Jesus Christ? This may sound like a simple question, yet I believe the minority are actually “Baptized in Christ”, very few have buried their “old man” with Christ, the minority have been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20) The narrow group has been raised with Christ to walk in the newness of the Holy Spirit. Are you Born Again? (John 3:3) Have you been washed by the blood of The Lamb? (John 1:29)

Many will say “But I’ve been baptized as a baby”! I’ve been saved, I have the golden ticket to paradise! Ah, so have you repented of your sins? (Acts 2:38) Have you confessed with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord? (Romans 10:9) But you say I’m an infant, how can I repent or know Jesus? Exactly! You are no more saved than this rock, you haven’t buried your old self with Christ! You have not been raised with Christ to walk in the newness of life! God will not be mocked! (Galatians 6:7)

So as the crowds asked the Apostle Peter as they were pricked at their hearts, “what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  (Acts 2:38)

Then they will say , but my Church says this and my Priest or Pastor say that! What does the Word of God say? As God foretold, “My people perish from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6) The traditions of men won’t save you! The false religious systems won’t save you! Your good works won’t save you! Only the blood of Christ can save you! (Ephesians 1:7)

But what would they say? My Church will reject me! My Priest may reject me! My family may reject me! Have you really been crucified with Christ? Have you really been Born Again with the Holy Spirit? (John 3:3) If so, then you are a New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:7) You are dead to the world, you are dead to your tresspasses and sins but made alive in Christ! (Ephesians 2:1)

So I’ll ask you again, are you really Baptized in Christ? Then walk in the newness of life! Walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh (Galatians 5:16) You were bought with a price in Jesus Christ, Amen!

From a Slave to a Son!

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and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”   Luke 15:19

The prodigal Son, one of the most famous parables for a reason, because we were all once this prodigal child, God our Father was dead to us, we wanted nothing to do with him, yet we wanted our inheritance! We wanted prosperity, we wanted health, we wanted protection, but we didn’t want anything to do with our Father in Heaven, can you relate?

Just like this prodigal, many of us found our way into the pig pen! We went into the far country, enjoying prodigal living, experiencing the blessings of our Father, yet we gave him no glory! We gave ourselves the glory, we wanted to build our own kingdoms, we wanted to build our own empires. Yet when the money went dry, we found out , it was all a lie from the pit of Hell. 

What does it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your soul? (Mark 8:36) It profits us nothing! We end up with the swine, worse off than the slave. In fact we come to the realization, we are slaves! We are slaves to sin (John 8) slaves to immorality, slaves to drugs and alcohol, slaves to the world and the devil. And when we are all destroyed, Satan discards us like a carcass into the bone pile

However, then the Holy Spirit awakens our heart, we desire to come into the presence of our Heavenly Father, we think , if I could just be one of his servants, I would be satisfied. So we make long trek back to our Father, covered in our filth, with our heads buried in shame, how could God ever want to even look at me again?

Ah, prodigal Child, but the Holy Spirit enlights you about Christ, the Son of God died on the cross to pay for your sins, he washed you clean by his blood, you are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, you are a new Creation in God by Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

So we come to The Father, and what is his response? Our Heavenly Father greets us with open arms, all of Heaven celebrates! The sinner has come to repentance! (Luke 15:7) How can we ever be in the presence of our Father again? Jesus Christ has made you righteous before The Father! (2 Corinthians 5:21) We hoped to be just a hired servant, and because of Christ , we are now a Child of the Living God! (Galatians 4:6) Amen!