- The main point of today’s article is that a church, and especially the “angels” of the church or the leadership (eldership, working committe, council, whatever!) of a local congregation, cannot be under-shepherds of the Great Shepherd of our souls (1 Pet 2:25), and be “hirelings” in nature and character (John 10:12 & 13) at the same time.
- This massive point came out of my reflection and prayer over Richard D Phillips’s exposition and commentary of Zech 2:11, (Berean Standard Bible):
“On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you. - It is important to note that the Hebrew word (“lavah“) used for Zechariah 2:11’s phrase, “join themselves” points to the meaning of being attached, and united with.
- Phillips ties back this prophecy of Zechariah to its fulfillment in Christ’s and points to Heb 12:22 – 24; …22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels 23 in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.…
- Meditating and praying over this truth caused me to realize the “awful“, or perhaps, “awe-full” truth that God will reclaim and restore His people, and His church, the Body of Christ from the “hirelings” Jesus referred to in John 10:12 & 13. Many a prayerful and reflective student of God’s Word and cognizant of the contemporary church would recognize that the church today is indeed awash with “hirelings”. They have dispensed with the genuine gospel of God, and prayer, and in its stead, put in man-made strictures and structures that keep God’s people in bondage and away from the gospel of His grace in Christ.
- You cannot read Heb 12:22 to 24, without continuing to read verses 25 to 29, “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks; For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven.” There came such a realization that the contemporary church has largely substituted the voice of Him from heaven with earthly, sensual and demonic voices (James 3:13-18)! Look how the church embraces Halloween! Look how Christmas is celebrated with nary a nod or recognition to Jesus and His hatred for “lukewarmness” (Rev 3, Church of Laodicea). A mighty shaking is coming in an even more mighty and drastic way upon the contemporary church. He will call His people out of Babylon! (Rev 18:4).
- Jesus said unequivocally that He is coming for a Bride that is spotless. One which is existentially living in the reality of their union with Him, and living in the experience of their justification by faith, the gift and promise of the Spirit sealing God’s people, the church, with the Head of the Body, Christ.
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