A Great Zeal

A Great Zeal

“And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. So the angel who spoke with me said to me, ‘Proclaim, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great zeal.’”’” Zech. 1:13-14.

The Lord’s name is “Zealous” (Ex. 34:14), and all His true sons and daughters rightfully bear the same name. The saints in the old covenant were one with God in their zeal for Jerusalem and Zion. “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her skill! If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth—if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.” Ps. 137:5-6. Phinehas received an everlasting priesthood because he was zealous. Num. 25:13. Jehu said, “Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord.” 2 Kings 10:16.

All true followers of Jesus can say the same thing: “Come, follow me, and see my zeal for the Lord.” Concerning our forerunner, Jesus, it is written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten me up.” Ps. 69:9. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:2, “I am zealous for you with godly zeal.”

We must see a matter exceedingly great and precious to be very zealous for it. When Paul saw the glory he could gain in Christ Jesus, he reckoned everything in the world as loss and rubbish. Christ and the church were his only interests in life. He had received enlightened and anointed eyes, so he understood the values that were at stake, both for himself and for the others. He was apprehended of Christ; he always saw something great and glorious before him, which he pursued so he could take it by force. He also prayed earnestly for the others that they might receive enlightened eyes of the heart, so they could both see and understand their true calling. Eph. 1:18.

Now it is vital for us to understand our calling, and then enter into it with great zeal. We are surrounded by all kinds of evil spirit powers that want to bind and hinder us. The spirits of indifference and indolence want to lay hold of us. If we do not watch and fight with sufficient zeal, we will soon feel at home in this world and desire earthly things. Then we will not view sin as serious as it actually is, and we will not be too concerned about a little bit of bitterness, unthankfulness, bearing a grudge against someone, etc. Jesus said it would be better to tear out your eye and cut off your hand than to sin. He had a clear vision.

Our entire interest must be Christ and the preparation of the church for His coming. This is where we need to use all our abilities, strength, and time, and all our possessions. Without zeal we will not partake of the wisdom that will rule for all eternity. The words that the Lord proclaimed, that He was very zealous for Jerusalem and Zion, were truly good and comforting words. He is very zealous for you and me, to help us in all kinds of situations—if we are among the wholehearted on Mount Zion. He makes sure that not a single temptation is too hard for us; He gives us everything that pertains to life and godliness.

The Lord has never tolerated sin or impurity in Zion and Jerusalem. He has meted out harsh punishments for sin. On the other hand He has not been sparing with His abundance of blessing and glory as a reward for godliness and faithfulness.

If God is so very zealous for the earthly Jerusalem, He is much more zealous for the spiritual Jerusalem, which is the church of the living God.

The darkness of night is quickly advancing over the earth, and the time when no one can work has already come for the greatest part of the world. The time we have left is short, and the bride is being prepared quickly for Christ’s coming. He is purifying for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Tit. 2:14.

Are we along in this flock that is purified and zealous to do every kind of good work? Do we have a burning zeal for everything that has to do with the spiritual Zion and Jerusalem? Do our words radiate zeal and warmth when we speak about our heavenly calling?

Most people speak with zeal and warmth about completely different things. They are zealous to defend their own honor and to earn money so they can buy everything they desire. If you speak to such people about the glory that is produced by denying yourself and suffering unjustly with joy, they usually cannot see any glory in it at all.

However, if we love Christ more than our lusts, we abide in the love that is as strong as death and whose zeal is as cruel as the grave. It does not give in one millimeter to any kind of sin because of weakness. It loves what God loves, it hates what God hates, and it will always dwell where God dwells.

The Lord was looking for the right warmth and zeal of love in the seven churches in Revelation. However, He did not find very much of it. He found weakness and indulgence in both life and ministry. “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth.” Rev. 3:16.

The angel of the church in Laodicea was in the body of Christ, but he could not remain there in a lukewarm state. If we are in Christ and do not see anything sufficiently glorious there so that it keeps us from becoming lukewarm and drawn away by outward things, then we are not worthy of being there either.

The Day is approaching; therefore we need to stir one another up even more to love and good works. Heb. 10:24-25. Let us test ourselves and see if we always possess the ardor of the first love that the bride has for her heavenly Bridegroom. “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death, its zeal is as cruel as the grave.” Song of Sol. 8:6. What will then happen to all the pride, and idolatry on the heights, to offendedness and discouragement? How could we then permit the least sin to have power in our life, knowing that every sin separates us from Christ?

No, then we will have victory. We will experience growth and progress, and we will have fellowship with the Father, the Son, and with each other in the light. We can joyfully look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Tit. 2:13.