635. ZEC 4:6. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD THE BUILDER OF HIS SPIRITUAL TEMPLE
Zec_4:6. The Spirit of the Lord the Builder of His Spiritual Temple
By Justin Edwards, D. D.
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."’97Zec_4:6.
This was spoken by the angel of the Lord, concerning the building of the second temple. It is the explanation of a vision, which was seen by the prophet Zechariah, the object of which was to show him, and through him, to make known to the people, a truth which it was of great importance that they should clearly understand, and deeply feel: viz., that while they must, themselves, make strenuous and persevering exertions to build the temple, their dependence for success must be placed, not upon themselves, or upon creatures, but upon the Spirit of the Lord. This is a truth of universal application, with regard to every good work; and of fundamental importance to all people. For this reason God takes a variety of ways to make it known, and to impress it upon the hearts of men. And for this same reason, I invite your attention to it at this time. This temple is the church; that holy, spiritual building, which is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone," Eph_2:20. It is to be composed of all true believers who shall ever have lived, from the first moment of creation, to the last moment of time. They may not belong to the same denomination; or spend life on the same side of the wall which they have set up; but if they believe on the Son of God, and are so joined to him as to be "one spirit," they shall form a part of his spiritual temple. Europeans, Asiatics, Africans, Indians’97all, of every age and color, and out of "every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation," who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, shall thus be "builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit," Eph_2:22.
I. From the greatness of the work which it was necessary to perform, in order to lay the foundation, it appears that the Spirit of the Lord must he the builder of this spiritual temple.
It was a work which none but God himself could perform. Nor could he even do it, in the wisest and best way, though he was almighty, and had all creation at his disposal, in less than four thousand years.
The physical creation he could complete, and in the wisest and best way, in a single week. "He spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast," Psa_33:9. But to prepare the way, even to lay the foundation, of this eternal habitation for himself, he must operate throughout the kingdoms of nature, providence, and grace, for thousands and thousands of years.’97Nor is this all. He, who "was in the beginning with God," "and was God," must himself leave the glory which he had before the creation: take upon him "the form of a servant;" and labor, and "become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross," Php_2:8. And as under its awful, crushing weight, "he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost," the sun turned away, the rocks broke asunder, and the dead started from their graves, to adore him that liveth, but was dead, that they might live for evermore, Rev_1:18.
II. From the foundation itself.
This foundation is the Son of God’97"the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person," Heb_1:3; in whom "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily," Col_2:9. "By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist;"’97and he "is over all, God blessed forever," Col_1:16; Rom_9:5. To him the Father saith, and he knows, "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom," Psa_45:6; Heb_1:8. Such is the foundation of this temple’97"God manifest in the flesh," 1Ti_3:16. "Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation," Isa_28:16. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ,’97the true God, and eternal life," 1Co_3:11; 1Jn_5:20.
III. From the materials out of which the temple is to be made.
These, as they are in their natural state, universally; and as they would be, without the Spirit and grace of God, eternally, are described by him, as walking "according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others," Eph_2:2, Eph_2:3. And who can take these materials and make them alive, and fill them with "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faith, and temperance" (Gal_5:22-23), but he who "spake, and it was done;" who "commanded, and it stood fast?" Can you do it? Can any man do it? Let him make the experiment. And to make it under the most favorable circumstances, let him be a parent, and try it upon his own child. Let him renounce all dependence on God, and the influences of his Spirit, and then take that child, who is now an enemy to his Maker, and, if he can, create him "anew in Christ Jesus unto good works," and cause him to glow like a seraph in the Divine service. No; not an infidel parent on earth can do this; and not a Christian parent will dare to attempt it. All the dedications of children to God in baptism; all the prayers and tears of pious parents while wrestling with God for their salvation, are a standing testimony that the work must be done, not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God. Even children, to be alive unto God, "must be born again;" "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God," Joh_3:7; Joh_1:13. Does any one still doubt? Let him try the experiment upon himself.
Has any one ever done this, of himself merely’97by his own unaided wisdom, righteousness, and strength, without the Spirit and grace of God? Who is he? When, or where? Go through creation, and ask every soul that has "passed from death unto life," Who made you to differ? How were you saved? And they will all answer, "By grace were we saved through faith; and that not of ourselves, it was the gift of God," Eph_2:8. That God must be the Builder of this glorious edifice, is, if possible, still more plain,
IV. From the object for which it is to be created.
The object for which this spiritual temple is to be erected is, to show angels, "principalities, and powers, in heavenly places,’97the manifold wisdom of God," Eph_3:10. Oh the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards men, through Jesus Christ: an object which is infinite; and which, as it unfolds with ever-increasing brightness, will call forth, from multitudes which no man can number, in louder and louder strains, Alleluias to God and the Lamb, forever and ever. Who can accomplish this but God himself? Can an angel do it? Can a superangelic creature? Can any creature, however exalted, show, by his productions, the manifold wisdom of God? No man, or angel, or superangelic creature, can conceive a thousandth part of the riches of that grace, which, at such a sacrifice, has opened an eternity of bliss to a world infinitely undeserving.
But suppose he could conceive, and could display all the riches of that grace, he could not be the builder of this temple; for Jehovah will not give his glory to another, Isa_42:8. And the object of this temple is, not that any creature may display, but that God may display the exceeding riches of his grace, and his manifold wisdom. Of course, no creature can build it: for no creature can display wisdom which he does not possess; and no building can display more wisdom than is possessed by the builder. But this building is to display more, infinitely more, than is possessed by all creatures in the universe.
(1.) In conclusion. If the Spirit of the Lord is the builder of this temple, no one will ever become a part of it, without being prepared for it by him.
(2.) As the Spirit of the Lord is the builder of this temple, his materials will all be perfectly prepared. However unsightly, or dark, or distant, and totally unfit to form a part of such an edifice, "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness," will shine down, not only upon them, and around them, but "into their hearts, to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ," 2Co_4:6. And they shall not only see light, but themselves become light in the Lord, Eph_5:8.
(3.) As the Spirit of the Lord is the builder of this temple, any individual to whom he is made known, and who is in a state of probation, may himself become a part of it. Wherever he may live, and under whatever circumstances he may be placed; however long he may have been in rebellion against God, and however deeply he may have sunk in degradation and guilt; he may, nevertheless, be transformed into the Divine image, and live.
(4.) As the Spirit of the Lord is the builder of this temple, we see what each one must do, in order to be prepared for it. He must become acquainted with the Holy Spirit, and must look to him for what he needs. He must attend to his communications’97must understand, believe, and obey them. They will thus be spirit and life to his soul.
(5.) As the Spirit of the Lord is the builder of this temple, and he operates by the truth, we see the reason why a knowledge of the Spirit and of his truth, should be communicated, in the least possible time, to all people. All people need this knowledge. They are in imminent danger of perishing eternally without it. It is suited to their condition, and adapted to meet their wants. Nothing else will do it. We have this remedy! freely we have received, and freely we are bound to give. God commands,
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," Mar_16:15.
(6.) We see, in view of this subject, that the missionary of the cross is engaged in a great and glorious work. Men may, if they will, view him with pity or contempt’97as a wild enthusiast, or blind fanatic. God views him as a co-worker with himself, in preparing his own eternal habitation.
(7.) As the Spirit of the Lord is the author and finisher of this work, all are bound to be instant, sincere, fervent, and persevering, not only in labors, but in supplication to him, that their efforts, and the efforts of others, may not be in vain in the Lord. Without his influence, though you put a Bible into every family, and preach the gospel to every creature, not a blind eye will be opened, not a deaf ear be unstopped, nor a hard heart will be softened, nor a distant soul be brought nigh by the blood of Jesus. Not a living soul will ever shine in that living temple; but all be cold, motionless, and dead.
(8.) As the Spirit of the Lord is the builder of this temple, it will be completed. For four thousand years he was preparing to lay the foundation; and that is now done. For six thousand years he has been preparing the materials, and taking them on to the spot. And has He begun, and will he not make an end? Shall any of his enemies ever taunt him, and say, "He began to build, and was not able to finish?" No. Let difficulties accumulate till they fill the whole earth, and rise up to heaven. "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," Zec_4:7.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS