What do you see for 2020?

The Believer’s vision for 2020 must have its source in the Holiness of God ()

Explanation: Zechariah was a post-exilic prophet who was a contemporary of Haggai. Both of these prophets were active around 520 BC and were used of God to bring encouragement to the Exiles during dark and difficult times. Zechariah gave much attention to the coming of the Messiah, and God used him to enable the people to look beyond their immediate circumstances.

In the 4th Chapter, Zechariah was given another vision from God that he was to share with his fellow exiles. This particular prophecy dealt with the restoration of the Temple. Work had been delayed and obstructed, and now it had been resumed. The construction of the 1st Temple was carried out in the Golden Age of Israel under King Solomon. At that time the Israelite nation was a dominant power and they commanded vast resources, both physical and materially. Now, they were a small remnant with limited resources, and the task was daunting.

Zechariah’s vision, therefore, began with a reminder of who God was, and what resources were at His command. Zechariah is asked, What do you see? and his answer is a golden lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps. The significance for Zechariah and the people is that anything that is worthwhile is to have its origin and source in the purity and holiness of God. The bowl at the top represents Christ who is the head, and the seven lamps and mouths represent the perfection of the Holy Spirit. Zechariah would be encouraged by knowing this idea of restoring the Temple was not something he came up with, but that the Vision for it had its source in God Himself.

Argument: As individuals and as a Church we can do a lot of things next year. We can develop some good ideas and can possibly accomplish some good things. All that will amount to nothing unless our attempts are rooted and grounded in the Holiness of God. The question to ask is not, “what do I want to do this next year?” but rather it should be, “what does God desire to accomplish through us this next year?” This is more than just a play on words or using pious language. God is the Source of Light, and He is the One who reveals His plans to us.

Application: Too many times we react to events around us instead of following God’s lead. We can avoid the hasty prayer of “God, please bless this mess!” if we wait until we hear from God. And to hear from God we must see Him as He is - High and Holy and lifted up. Gazing upon His Holiness will lead to our repenting of our own selfish and sinful desires, which will lead to us being able to hear from Him with confidence.

The Believer’s vision for 2020 must be shaped by an understanding that comes from the Word of God (, )

Explanation: Zechariah received a direct Word from the Lord over 50 times throughout his book. In chapter 4 alone, the phrase Word of the LORD is used twice to indicate that God is giving direct revelation to Zechariah. This means of communication directly shaped Zechariah’s mission, and, in turn, it directly impacted the mission of Zerubabel the Governor and Joshua the High Priest. These two leaders responded to the word given by the prophets and were instrumental in leading the people to complete the Temple restoration.

Argument: We no longer live in a time of prophets who receive direct revelations from God (contrary to what heretics claim). Such is no longer needed because we have been given God’s complete revelation in the Bible, and we also have the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Truth that is contained within its pages. Because we live in a time and country in which we have been blessed with full access to God’s complete revelation, we should have a desire to know it.

If God’s primary means of communication with the Church in the present day is prayer and the Word, doesn’t it make sense to actually be involved in these spiritual pursuits? But the answer is not to approach these disciplines with dread and drudgery, much like a middle school student approaches home-work. To have the privilege of growing in grace through prayer and Bible study, it should be seen as just that: a privilege. It truly is a blessing when God’s people realize the privilege we have been given, and then act on it with zeal and passion!

Application: If your relationship with Jesus is dry and distant realize that you are the one who moved. The Good News is you can Repent and He will restore the relationship. Pray and ask God to increase your desire for His presence (cf. , )

The need for prayer naturally brings us to the 3rd point:

The Believer’s vision for 2020 must be shaped by an understanding that comes from the Word of God (, )

The Believer’s Vision for 2020 must be dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit ()

Explanation: Knowing the Will of God is huge, but knowing His will and carrying it out are two different things. The LORD knew that by giving His direct Word to the prophet the governor would come to understand the mission. Zerubabel knew what to do, but it was still an overwhelming task. The work had already been shut down once by opposition, and the people had been scattered to their own pursuits. The resources of the Exiles was still very limited, and the scope of the project seemed to be beyond their ability to complete.

God assures Zerubabel that no obstacle, however large (who are you, O great mountain) will block the progress. This confidence is not in Zerubabel as a person, but in the power and might of the Holy Spirit. As the leaders and the people remained dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit, the mountain of opposition would be reduced to flat plains. When God is the Source of the vision and the Power of the Vision, obstacles will be removed.

Illustrate: Monty’s grand scheme to win the war by Christmas 1944 was seen in his plan for Operation Market Garden. Because it was his plan, and a faulty one at that, the German opposition at Arnhelm held the bridge and a lot of young men died for no purpose.

{need a positive Christian plan that was successful because God removed the opposition]

Argument: The business of seeing God’s Vision for the future and prayerfully attempting it is more than one decision. It is a continuing process. And it is a process that must remain dependent upon God all the way through. As a Church we can pray and come to the consensus that God wants us to grow and strengthen our fellowship through the addition of adult Sunday School classes. Declaring that we are going to add 3 additional classes is just a decision by itself. If we think we are just going to “make it happen” because we already know how to do Sunday School we may end up with problems. Jesus declared “I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Application: The challenges facing Christ-followers in 2020 are daunting. And, new challenges that we can’t see or conceive of may show up at any time in our rapidly changing world. This is an exciting time to live under the Banner of Christ and the opportunities for Kingdom Advance are many; but it is also a time for us to desperately cling to the Savior. Let us pray for a spirit of humility and continued dependence upon the guidance and goodness of God

The Believer can and will be encouraged by such a Vision because if it is from God it will be successful ()

Explanation: God gave his prophet a promise which he then shared with Zerubabel. God declared that just as Zerubabel was the leader who started the building project (the hands of Zerubabel have laid the foundation), the governor will also be present to see the project completed (his hands shall also complete it). God gave His leader a vivid image that would be a powerful source of encouragement throughout the process.

Argument: God never promises that His assignments will be easy or without opposition. God does, however, promise to complete the things that He starts (). The key is to make sure that what we are attempting is actually of God and not ourselves.

Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, stated that “God’s work, done God’s way, will never lack for provision.” That statement is true and it has the ability to encourage and sustain others during the hard times. It is a reminder that God will see it through, that God is the One who is accomplishing His purposes and bringing about His glory in the work.