The Omega Times April 2007- Roll Back the Stone

As Scripture indicates, these are perilous times indeed. While our society continues to spiral even further into degradation and mayhem, there is a growing thunder of quiet from the realm of what is seen as the churchworld. Perhaps more devastating than any of the individual tragedies occurring around the world is the inability to see the true church of Jesus Christ as a light to comfort the lost and a force to confront the devil. The stage is not yet even. This is the hour of darkness, but it is not for naught. True light is most poignant and piercing in utter darkness, and this is where the world is headed: into utter darkness. Yet as we get closer to the culmination of these times, we draw closer to the manifestation of the sons of God; perfect darkness will give way to perfect light as the bride makes herself ready.

The futility and absurdity of worldly church doctrine is revealed when the hard realities of life begin to hit. How are you healed by praying for a new car when your friend has been gunned down in cold blood? What solace is there in believing for that hundredfold return on your tithe when your child has been kidnapped and molested? Ministries that keep people earth-bound and soulish will find it increasingly difficult to provide direction during these times, and that is when people will begin to seek the truth. What is needed is a real answer, with real power; what is needed is Jesus. However, most in the churchworld are not equipped to carry Jesus to the masses because they have not been transformed into His image. There is no heart after God, but instead a stony heart that resists Him. Just like stone, the heart is cold, indifferent to, and unmoved by the things of God.

What causes a stony heart? Refusal to submit to God's Word. In Zechariah Chapter 7, God gives us a description of this condition.

"And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu; when they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD, and to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?" Zechariah 7:1-3

Let's get a clear understanding of the type of people we are reading about here. Referred to in Chapter 6 as people "of the captivity", these were descendants of those who had been led away captive into Babylon. Although they had chosen to stay in that land, they knew God and had been separating themselves in weepings and fastings to the Lord year after year. In this text, the people sent representatives to the temple in Jerusalem to inquire of God regarding their service before Him.

"Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying, Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?" Zechariah 7:4-6

In spite of their religious fervor, God is not pleased with these offerings and does not receive them. We are not speaking of one or two instances, but of activity spanning 70 years! It is amazing to consider that someone can be in dedication to the Lord for 70 years and never have truly served Him. These are the conditions under which many will hear that gut- wrenching declaration, "Depart from me you workers of iniquity." (Matthew 7:23) It is not about how much you pray, fast, give, or fellowship. God is not impressed by our "sacrifices"; He requires our obedience. We must be truly born again of the Spirit and led by the Spirit in your daily lives. If you are, then you will naturally partake in these activities; they are your meat and bread. But simply doing the acts does not generate the life of God within.

In this passage, God gives us insight into the motives behind their actions. In all of their religious works, they were focused on exalting themselves. Even the things they claimed to do for God were really for self- promotion. This, my friends, is ugly. They want to be seen as holy and righteous in order to look like something before the people. They have a form of godliness, but their motives are self-serving.

"Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain? And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart." Zechariah 7:7-10

These people are in the land of captivity, but God brings to their remembrance the time when they inhabited the promises of God. He reminds them that His commands have not changed. Whether we are abound or abased, God's word stands sure; He is unchanging. One might think that being in captivity would cause them to turn even more earnestly to the Lord. Yet, this was not the case. There is a difference between being held captive and being captivated. Historically, when God's people have been under oppression, their affections start to turn towards the ways of their captors. This was the case with Egypt; it was the case with Babylon; and it is the case with much of the Christian world today. Trusting in religious activity gives the false security that one is right with God when such persons are really pursuing on his/her own agendas. As Scripture says, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." Matthew 15:8

"But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: but I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate." Zechariah 7:11-14

These individuals refuse to heed Godly instruction, forcibly resist the presence of correction, and erect their own barriers so that they cannot even hear God's words. How is this manifested? Plainly put - selfishness; caring more about what you want or think than what God says. This is why the illustration of the stony heart is tied to the description of Leviathan. (Job 41:24)

How do we remove a stony heart? The stone must be rolled away.

"And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh." Ezekiel 11:19

Once the stone is removed, we are laid bare before the Lord. Our heart becomes pliable to Him, allowing Him to impart into it His words of life. If the stone is not removed, the heart cannot produce fruit for Christ because the Word cannot establish root enough in us to germinate and grow. (Matthew 13:5-6)